Historic jewish cemetery in Carribean fades away- Joseph Katinas

In Williemstad, Curaçao, one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the Western Hemisphere, Beth Haim on the island of Curaçao is slowly fading in the Carribean sun. Beth Haim is a very old popular island despie having a small population. Curaçao is so rich in history that it's downtown has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because the island has lavish monuments and multilingual epitaphs, Curaçao's cemetery helps tell the little-known history of Jews in the Carribean. Sadly, though, the landmark is in danger. The steady erosion is now considered unstoppable, said Rene Maduro, president of the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which owns and maintains the cemetery. "Believe me, I wish there was something we could do to protect the cemetery," said Maduro, whose family had come to Curaçao in the 1600s and has 75 to 100 ancestors buried in Beth Haim. "It is beyond the point of repair." I think this article is sad. It shows how you have to be careful and you should always remember, protect, and learn from the past. news.yahoo.com/historic-jewish-cemetry-carribean-fades-away-185552977.html