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About Us

The Ozarow cemetery dates back almost 400 years. It is one of the few remaining Jewish cemeteries in Poland, with its approximately 300 (including ca 200 recently uncovered) monuments, standing in solemn testimony to the thriving Jewish community that once was. The search for ancestral roots and the remarkable beauty of the detailed carvings, attracts many visitors each year to Ozarow. The cemetery wall was almost totally destroyed during the World War II and many of the stones were taken for fortifications by the Germans about 15 km away. For years Ozarowers and their descendants have dreamed of restoring the cemetery walls, erecting a commemorative monument, and repairing and raising toppled stones onto firm bases.

In early May 2001, the Ozarow Cementary Restoration Project (OCRP) was formed and with the very generous help and assistance of Ozarowers and non-Ozarowers from many countries, funds have been raised for much of the restoration work and for producing a documentary film (released in 2003, entitled, "Return to Ozarow-Mending a Broken Link"). The dedication ceremony for the restored cemetery was held barely five months later in Ozarow on October 15, 2001. The ceremony was attended by more than 500 people.

View of the Ozarow cemetery as of June of 2001.

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©OCRP 2001