Plans for the Wall of Tears Holocaust memorial in Village of Cedarhurst are advancing as organizers intensify fundraising efforts, having raised over $100,000 and now working to secure an additional $250,000 needed to complete the project.
The memorial, led by Wall of Tears Foundation founder and Executive Director Norm Kaish, is envisioned as both a place of remembrance and an immersive educational experience honoring the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
“We’re doing grassroots fundraising in the community, mostly by word of mouth and some advertising,” Kaish said. “The reaction has been tremendous. Many people are making dedications in memory of survivors or victims.”
Some donors have made large contributions, including a $25,000 gift tied to a specific feature of the monument, while others are contributing smaller amounts through a growing online campaign. “We’re happy to take the $25, the $100 — it all adds up,” Kaish said, adding that organizers hope to break ground by the end of the summer.
The Wall of Tears monument will stand 16 feet wide, and 10 feet high, constructed of granite and topped with a memorial flame, or “ner tamid.” A map of Europe will be etched into the structure, showing pre-Holocaust Jewish populations across countries to provide historical context.
Visitors will encounter 44 plaques, each detailing a specific location or story from the Holocaust. These include accounts of extermination camps and massacres, as well as stories of resistance and courage, such as the rescue of approximately 7,500 Jews in Denmark and the prevention of mass deportations in Bulgaria.
Another plaque will honor the “Righteous Among the Nations,” recognizing thousands who risked their lives to save Jews. Half of the plaques will incorporate a water feature, with droplets symbolizing tears flowing into a pool below, reinforcing the monument’s theme of remembrance.
Kaish said the goal is to integrate education into everyday life. “This is something people will pass by regularly,” he said. “It keeps these stories present and ensures they’re not forgotten.”
Village officials are partnering on the project by handling infrastructure and site preparation. Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said the village will provide the groundwork needed to support the monument.
“The installation of the monument itself is not very complicated,” Weinstock said. “Afterward, we’ll provide electric, water and gas service for the eternal flame, the water pump and the pool.”
He added that the village will also take responsibility for foundational work surrounding the site. “What we’re going to provide is the infrastructure — the foundation, the landscaping, the fencing, the pavers and the lighting,” Weinstock said. “We’re doing the easier part compared to actually building the monument.”
Weinstock emphasized that most of the fundraising will go directly toward constructing the memorial. “The bulk of the money is going into the cost of creating the monument itself,” he said, noting that the village will cover many ongoing expenses, including utilities.
He also pointed to local philanthropic support, including a $30,000 contribution from the Madeline Bodner Foundation, as a key early boost to the effort. “That was one of the cornerstone donations that helped get things moving,” he said.
Construction is expected to take about nine months once it begins, with organizers aiming for a public unveiling sometime next year.
Meanwhile, the foundation continues to encourage community involvement through its online fundraiser, which has already drawn steady participation in small donations. “People want to be part of something meaningful,” Kaish said.
“At a time when antisemitism is rising and awareness is fading, this monument is more important than ever,” he added. “It’s about remembrance, education and making sure history is never repeated.”
To support the project, visit https://gofund.me/f100b1f86 or the Wall of Tears website at WallofTears.org/5-towns-holocaust-project.html.
