Speculative Architecture VI
FARGO JEWISH CEMETERY CHAPEL
Sophie Hollander
When we unravel the stories of Jewish people in North Dakota, we see that they intersect with layers of Jewish experience across history. While seemingly invisible, the Jewish community in North Dakota has tangibly affected this region, and likewise their stories are beautifully paradigmatic of Jewish collective memory throughout the world and time. These charcoal rubbings are fragments of the graves at the Fargo Hebrew Congregation Cemetery, in North Fargo. Once a 500+ member community, the Fargo Jewish community needs a reinvigoration of participation in communal memory.
From the oral traditions passed down for thousands of years, to today in this room, rituals and metaphors of stone cut deeply through Jewish culture. From the pillar monument on Rachel’s grave, to the stone tablets of the Law of Moses, and today at the western wall - stone represents resiliency, permanence, and a steadfast God. It serves to connect these people who are scattered throughout the world to their ancestors of ancient times.
In Jewish cemeteries around the world, you're likely to find small pebbles placed on top of the graves. There are varying explanations for this tradition - that opposed to flowers which will wither and die, stones, just as our memories, will last forever - or that the stones keep the soul with us, weighted here to the earth. As it states in the Talmud, “A person is only forgotten when [their] name is forgotten”. The beauty of walking through these cemetery spaces is witnessing the traces of all those who came before and someday will come after you.
As I lay this stone on top of the graves, all at once, I’m connected to my biblical ancestors, and the soul of the ancestor right here, I’m face to face with the friend who came before me and also left a stone. And Suddenly, the past and present are indistinguishable. I see everyone who’s come before me, but also, I’m connected to the future generation, who will witness what I’ve left behind and have come to participate in this same moment.
Speculative Architecture VI
FARGO JEWISH CEMETERY CHAPEL
Sophie Hollander
When we unravel the stories of Jewish people in North Dakota, we see that they intersect with layers of Jewish experience across history. While seemingly invisible, the Jewish community in North Dakota has tangibly affected this region, and likewise their stories are beautifully paradigmatic of Jewish collective memory throughout the world and time. These charcoal rubbings are fragments of the graves at the Fargo Hebrew Congregation Cemetery, in North Fargo. Once a 500+ member community, the Fargo Jewish community needs a reinvigoration of participation in communal memory.
From the oral traditions passed down for thousands of years, to today in this room, rituals and metaphors of stone cut deeply through Jewish culture. From the pillar monument on Rachel’s grave, to the stone tablets of the Law of Moses, and today at the western wall - stone represents resiliency, permanence, and a steadfast God. It serves to connect these people who are scattered throughout the world to their ancestors of ancient times.
In Jewish cemeteries around the world, you're likely to find small pebbles placed on top of the graves. There are varying explanations for this tradition - that opposed to flowers which will wither and die, stones, just as our memories, will last forever - or that the stones keep the soul with us, weighted here to the earth. As it states in the Talmud, “A person is only forgotten when [their] name is forgotten”. The beauty of walking through these cemetery spaces is witnessing the traces of all those who came before and someday will come after you.
As I lay this stone on top of the graves, all at once, I’m connected to my biblical ancestors, and the soul of the ancestor right here, I’m face to face with the friend who came before me and also left a stone. And Suddenly, the past and present are indistinguishable. I see everyone who’s come before me, but also, I’m connected to the future generation, who will witness what I’ve left behind and have come to participate in this same moment.