I have always wondered about the tradition of the pebble on Jewish markers.
There is a Jewish cemetery (beginning about 1860 - still used)  in
Jefferson, Texas with pebbles that have obviously lain on the markers for
many years.  What, can someone tell me, is the social tradition of doing
this?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron May" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Cemetery midden


> Several years ago, I designed a museum exhibit entitled "Hidden Messages,
> Silent Prayers" that addressed the very intimate and personal episodes of
> leaving memorials. I feel the placement of toys, goggles, keys, balloons,
> food, bottles, jugs, jars and flowers etc. on tombstones is a very
> interesting cultural phenomenon. We should expect differences in meaning
> between religious and ethnic groups, between different relatives, and
> genders. I should think cultural roots would play deeply into different
> offerings. Those of you who saw the movie Schindler's List should recall
the
> line of Holocaust survivors who placed a small natural rock on Schindler's
> tombstone at the end of the movie. Study of cemetery dumps should be high
on
> our list of scientific research.
>
> Ron May
> Legacy 106, Inc.
>