Nagyhalász cemetery was renovated by HFPJC Foundation. Caretaker is András Császár, Malom utca 24. [March 2009]
US Commission No. 000047
Located: Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg at 48°08 and 21°46 on Malom ut 28, 20km from Nyiregyhaza. Population is 5000-25,000 with less than ten Jews.
- Local: Polgarmesteri Hivatal of Nagyhalasz Arany Janos ut 50 Ph: 1.
- Regional interest: Budapesti Orthodox Hitkozseg, of Dob u.35, H-1075 Budapest Phone: (011-361) 132-4333.
- Local: Izraelita Hitkozseg of Nyiregyhaza Martirok tere 6.
- Caretaker with key: Csaszar Andras of Nagyhalasz Malom ut 26. Also, Weisz Ferenc of Nagyhavasz Arany Janos ut 2.
Pre-WWII Jewish population was 312. The cemetery was established in 19th century with last known Hasidic Orthodox Jewish burial in 1947. Reb Schefrein Marton is buried here. No other towns used this cemetery.The flat suburban site, separate but near other cemeteries, has by a broken fence with ocking gate but no sign or marker. Reached by turning directly off a public road, access is open to all.
20-100 gravestones are in cemetery, regardless of condition or position. 25%-50% of the surviving stones are toppled or broken; no mass graves exist. Before WWII and current size is 0.40 hectares. Special sections are for Cohanim, children and wealthy men. Jewish individuals within Hungary carried out restoration in 1980. The national Jewish community owns Jewish cemetery. The caretaker is unpaid. Adjacent properties are agricultural and residential. Security (uncontrolled access), weather erosionand vegetation are moderate or slight threats.
Riczu Zoltan of Nyiregyhaza, Vasvari ut 74 visited and completed the survey on 10/21/91. Weisz Ferenc and Csaszar Andras were interviewed on 21/Oct/1991.
UPDATE: Heritage Foundation for Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries (HFPJC) reports that Nagyhalasz was home to a modest Jewish Community prior to WWII. In 1997, the cemetery was insatisfactory condition; the grass neatly cut, the tombstones all upright, and a wire fence surrounding the plot. In 2001, doors were open and the fence falling apart. Many tombstones were toppled and/or broken. A pack of stray dogs warded off visitors. The caretaker had died. The cemetery was severely neglected. Someone cleared one patch of ground to plant corn. HFPJC procured a survey outlining the original boundaries of the cemetery and made the necessary arrangements. Currently, materials are being delivered and in the coming days resoration will include a sturdy, concrete fence to prevent public access. The fallen tombstones will be re-erected. A recent photo of the partial cemetery can be seen at Viewmate http://data.jewishgen.org/ViewMate/ALL/viewmateview.asp?key=4032. Source: Toby Mendlowitz, Assistant Director HFPJC, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 800-945-1552. [April 2004]
NAGYHALASZ II:
Actually, there are two cemeteries in Nagyhalasz. Apparently, the second cemetery is a bare, unenclosed field. Source: Toby Mendlowitz, Assistant Director HFPJC, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 800-945-1552. [April 2004]
UPDATE: The erection of a concrete, durable fence was completed in June. Restoration of cemetery proper (i.e. recement/up right tombstones, clear grounds, darken/rewrite illegible headstone texts) in process. Source: Toby Mendlowitz, Assistant Director. HFPJC, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., [July 2004]