Holocaust Reflection Garden

Driving onto the synagogue property and turning right, one passes after about 100 meters flagpoles flying the American and Israeli flags. Then there is a small, landscaped garden. Across the road is a large pond which is at the center of the synagogue property. From the garden, looking across the pond, one sees the synagogue building.

At the entrance to the garden on the left is a boulder inscribed with the name of the garden and a dedication “to the memory of the six million martyred.” A short winding flagstone paved path leads to a wider paved area with six large boulders with smoothed flat tops. These are arranged irregularly on the right and suitable for seating. A low curved retaining wall built of cut stone blocks on the left, behind which, at about waist height, is an inscribed memorial stone lying flat, and beyond that are planted six memorial pine trees.

Names of relatives of synagogue members who perished “as well as names that our neighbors and other Jewish community members have requested” are inscribed on a memorial stone plaque. More names are added occasionally as the congregation becomes aware of them or when survivors die. The names are inscribed under a Hebrew quote from Rabbi Moshe Ben Ezra, with the English translation of the quote at the bottom of the stone.

Find more information HERE.