Sherie and Paul's Story

By Sherie and Paul Sondel

We hadn’t given much thought to where our final resting place would be until Sherie’s father became ill and began facing this question himself. As there were no longer any open plots in Madison’s Jewish cemetery at Forest Hill, we were all relieved to learn that the Jewish Burial Association of Madison had recently reserved a large open area at Sunset Memorial Garden and created a new Jewish cemetery, designated Beit Olamim (Home of Eternity). When Sherie’s father passed in December 2012, he was buried in this relatively new cemetery. Sherie’s mom joined him at Beit Olamim 17 months later. By then, more plants and shrubs had been placed, and we could see that Sherie’s parents were now in an area with others, several with familiar names.

Since then, we have visited frequently, often reflecting on life and on hopes—both past and future. We come with our children and grandchildren. We put stones on nearby graves of people we know. We also see other stones, marking visits and remembrances of others, many of whom we knew. With each visit, we note the growth of the plants and shrubs as well as the newer plants, trees and landscaping; all giving a sense of time passing, and of preservation of this space and the memories that it protects.

In order to help make our own future transition easier for our children, we recently bought plots for ourselves at Beit Olamim, near Sherie’s parents and made a contribution to help keep Beit Olamim maintained. The thought of enabling our children, grandchildren and extended family to stay connected with their ancestors in this Madison community that has meant so much to us in our lives is comforting to us. We hope you will join with us this holiday season to make sure this space of peace and beauty, and now a holy place, is preserved for the future and for our community.

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