Annual Cleanup at Kraainem Jewish Cemetery

By Sarah S--- On a recent Sunday, our President Peter G. and I had the honor of taking part in the annual clean-up of the Jewish cemetery in Kraainem, an event organized by the Union des Étudiants Juifs de Belgique (UEJB). It was a morning filled with remembrance, respect, and a strong sense of community.

The atmosphere was wonderful, with 20 or so kind and motivated people coming together to honor those who came before us and to preserve this important place of memory. It was especially touching to see so many young participants lending their time and energy with such enthusiasm and care.

During the clean-up, I noticed that on some graves, shells had been placed instead of stones. While stones traditionally represent a lasting memory, shells can symbolize a safe journey to the afterlife, especially meaningful for communities with a history of sea-faring.

After the clean-up, we shared a lovely brunch, a perfect opportunity to connect, chat, and reflect on the meaning of this beautiful tradition.

A heartfelt thank you to the UEJB for organizing this meaningful initiative, and to everyone who joined and helped make this mitzvah so special.