Bayside Cemetery – A Storied History of Community and Struggle
Founded in 1865, Bayside Cemetery stands as one of the earliest Jewish burial grounds in Ozone Park, Queens, New York.
Established by the Darech Amuno and Pike Street Synagogue, it quickly became a vital center for the local Jewish community, reflecting the area’s growing Jewish population.
Initially, the cemetery represented a crucial space for remembrance and connection within a burgeoning Jewish neighborhood.
However, the cemetery’s history is also marked by periods of neglect and hardship.
By the mid-20th century, the original organizations responsible for its upkeep ceased operations, leading to a gradual decline in conditions.
Significant vandalism emerged, particularly during the latter decades of the 20th century, with instances of tombstone overturning and theft becoming increasingly common.
In 1976-1978, over 500 tombstone were overturned at Mokom Sholom.
In 1981, teenagers broke into mausoleums, drove a coffin through, and vandalized the grounds.
A particularly disturbing event occurred in April 1994, when individuals broke into a mausoleum, set fire to a body, and dragged a corpse out of a crypt, highlighting the vulnerability of the cemetery.
Despite these challenges, dedicated volunteers, including Anthony Pisciotta, have recognized the historical importance of Bayside Cemetery and initiated efforts to restore and preserve the grounds.
Recent exploration, led by Pisciotta, revealed valuable insights into the cemetery's rich and sometimes turbulent past, offering a vital connection to the community’s history and memory.
The cemetery’s unique location, with views of the adjacent Pitkin Avenue tracks and proximity to Jamaica Bay, further adds to its significance as a site of both remembrance and reflection.
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