Phase I: In Phase I, Mr. Andrzej Omasta, our Poland Jewish Cemeteries Restoration Project (PJCRP) Project Manager for Cemeteries in Poland, makes an initial trip to the town, usually meets with the mayor and the priest of the former shtetl and visits the cemetery where he assesses its condition, the work needed to be done, takes some photos of the site and sends back a brief report to the PJCRP head office in the USA. The PJCRP Coordinator for that shtetl receives a copy also. The report usually contains a ballpark estimate of the costs of reconstruction work of the cemetery (including walls, gates, memorial monument and descriptive plaque). Phase I costs about $500 US which includes Mr. Omasta’s fee and travel expenses as well as preparatory talks before his visit and additional information gathering and a report soon after his visit.

Phase II: When sufficient funds are available, Phase II is commenced. Phase II consists of completing and filing an up-to-date survey of the cemetery site, if such is not on record at the town hall or local government archives; finding local contractors who will provide designs and cost estimates for the work; and, filing any additional documents and permits required by the town and local government. Phase II also includes design of the walls, gates and a memorial monument if required, as well as legal costs for drawing up a fixed-price contract. The cost of Phase II work is of the order $3500 US. There is also a one time fee of $2000 paid to the Rabbinic Commission's office. In addition, we encourage descendants to offer a scholarship fund at the local high school, usually of the order of $1000, which will be awarded over about 5 years (say at $200/year) to students writing winning essays about the Jews of that shtetl, the Holocaust as it affected their town, or other Jewish related topics (the PJCRP has developed a set of guidelines for this). By completion of Phase II, the PJCRP has an exact cost of the restoration work and the timing and payment schedule. This information is conveyed to the PJCRP Coordinator of that town and the Coordinator in turn contacts the Jewish descendants with the target goal for the additional donations that are required.

Phase III: Once the necessary funds are available, Phase III commences, consisting of the actual restoration work under the supervision of the PJCRP, town, and other parties. Rabbi Michael Schudrich's representative is on-site when any digging in the cemetery is done such as for footings for walls or tree removal or if a halachic problem is discovered, such as finding a previously unknown mass grave at the site of the wall.

Phase IV: The rededication ceremony is held at the restored cemetery, including Jewish descendants, members of the PJCRP team-also Rabbi Michael Schudrich, if he is available, the mayor, priest, townspeople, representatives from Jewish organizations, the Polish government and foreign embassies, and the media. An annual scholarship may also be set up with the local high school for senior students writing winning essays about the Jews of that town.

          It is important to note:

(a)	during all four phases, the PJCRP Shtetl Coordinator for that former shtetl and therefore the Jewish descendants of that town who have made donations are kept informed of progress through newsletters sent out by the PJCRP Shtetl Coordinator. The descendants are encouraged to make suggestions regarding the designs of the walls, gates and the commemorative monument;
(b)	the work that the PJCRP does in Poland is subject to the authority of the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, and therefore is subject to strict orthodox Jewish tradition and religious practice. Rabbi Schudrich also is the PJCRP Halachic Coordinator;
(c)	all the work that the PJCRP does in Poland is carefully monitored and is in accordance with the wishes and supervision of the Union of Jewish Communities of Poland and/or the Foundation for Preservation of Jewish Historical Sites in Poland, the two Jewish entities in Poland under which jurisdiction former communal Jewish property resides according to the laws of Poland. In addition, any work contracted out by the PJCRP is subject to approval by the town as well as the regional and state governments of Poland. Often the local priest is involved too;
(d)	the PJCRP negotiates some level of direct participation by the town. This can include project monitoring, cleaning the cemetery including cutting trees-under halachic supervision, repairing the road to the cemetery if needed, assistance with filing of permits, providing town moving equipment and some town labor, and even some direct financial support;
(e)	from the outset, the town and the clergy are encouraged to do whatever possible to locate and return missing matzevot. These are usually incorporated into the walls of the restored cemetery.

Important Notice about Costs
Costs can change with little or no notice because of currency fluctuations, unexpected delays and unforeseen expenses once the reconstruction work is underway. For work in Phase III, we arrange with contractors fixed cost contracts with guarantees. Payment is usually made by wire transfer, which will incur bank charges of about $50-60 for each payment.

Our experienced PJCRP team members in Poland are consultants working on an hourly fee plus expenses for travel, meals and related costs, not employees. The consulting fee at this writing is $15 US/hour.

Dr. Norman Weinberg
Executive Coordinator/PJCRP
January 2007