Click here to Donate to Gravestone Project

There are too many of these in Houston.

It is said that to make a minyan at a funeral is the ultimate mitzvah:  You can have no hope of the deed being "returned," so it is a truly selfless act.  We at Lodge Galil of the Hebrew Order of David International (HOD) are taking that one step further. Unfortunately there are MANY Jewish graves in Houston with no permanent marker.  We believe that number should be zero.  Consequently, we are coordinating a Community-Wide Mitzvah project to place a permanent marker on all Jewish graves that do not have them. All congregations with cemeteries in Houston are involved.

We had an unveiling of the first eight markers in conjunction with Rabbis from each community with cemeteries, to launch the program and help get the word out. The costs for these initial markers is being paid for by HOD Galil. Multiple unveilings took place on Sunday October 6, 2019 between Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur. 

HOD Brothers Ivor Segall and Alan Lipman originated and are coordinating this project for Lodge Galil. Gaitz Memorials is lending gracious assistance with purchasing, and engraving and Ramirez Cemetery Services is placing the markers. We are starting with burials that occurred many years ago, with those whom the cemetery has lost track of who is buried there, or who we know have no family. 

The Hebrew Order of David is a Jewish fraternal organization supporting its members, and serving the community, applying Jewish ideals and values while providing its members the opportunity for personal development.  It is over 100 years old.

Lodge Galil is looking for interested parties to help fund this project.  We do not have the funds to see this project to completion. If interested in helping with this project or discussing further, please do not hesitate to contact Bro. Ivor Segall or Bro. Alan Lipman, HOD Galil's Gravestone Project Chairmen at GravestoneProject@hodgalil.org or donate directly at  www.hodgalil.org/Donate . (Old fashioned checks payable to HOD Gravestone Project can be mailed to 9627 Cedarhurst Drive, Houston, TX 77096.)

The Texas Jewish Historical Society have contributed towards this Gravestone Project and hope to do so again if it expands outside of the Houston area.

Over the past two years, this project was partially underwritten through multiple grants from the Houston Jewish Community Foundation (“HJCF”).  HOD is proud of our philanthropic partnership with the Foundation.  HJCF works diligently to ensure the needs of our community are met in lasting and meaningful ways by serving as a central resource and advocate for charitable giving

The mission of the Houston Jewish Community Foundation is to promote the practice of tzedakah (righteousness, charity) and the pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by serving as a central resource and advocate for charitable giving. We reflect the collective charitable hearts of our donors by advising on, receiving, administering, distributing and efficiently serving as the stewards of funds that are designated for the present and future benefit of qualified charitable organizations.

News about the project:

 HOD Gravestone Project Places First 8 Markers

Jewish organization supplies headstones for Houston's unmarked graves

Chevra Kadisha supports HOD Gravestone Project

UOS Cemetery Association makes donation to HOD Galil’s Gravestone Project

HOD installs 16 new markers at Emanu El cemetery

HOD Houston place 8 more markers at Beth Israel Cemetery

Hebrew Order of David remains active during pandemic

Texas Jewish Historical Society - Donation to our Gravestone Project         

HOD Lodge Galil initiates Houston Gravestone Project

Gallery of Unveilings:

   

 

  

 

 

At Beth Jacob, affiliated with UOS (United Orthodox)

At N.Post Oak, affiliated with Congregation Beth Yeshurun

(Rabbi Morgan pictured on the right is a Member of HOD)

Bro. Alan Lipman & Bro. Ivor Segall

At Beth Israel Memorial Garden