November 13 was our big event in Nashville where we had a screening of The Presence of Their Absence.  We had 70 people join us on a very cold and traffic-filled night at the Brentwood Library.  After watching the film together, Steven, Donna, and Fred took questions from the audience.  It was wonderful to hear how different aspects of the film resonated with people.  

​On November 11, The Matzevah Foundation's president, Steven Reece, was part of a special evening at The Temple in Atlanta.  Steven joined filmmaker Donna Kanter and Fred Zaidman for a screening of the film, The Presence of Their Absence.


Around 100 people came out for the film and panel discussion with Fred, Donna, and Steven afterwards.  It was a great evening!


For a complete review of the film, check out this lovely article from the Atlanta Jewish Times.

The Matzevah Foundation, in partnership with the Nashville Jewish Film Festival, is pleased to invite you to the Nashville premiere of the documentary The Presence of Their Absence.

Wednesday, November 13
6:30 p.m.
Brentwood Library

8109 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027

This is a free event and we invite you to let us know of your attendance by visiting our Eventbrite link here.

The Matzevah Foundation completed its ninth year of projects in Poland this summer.  Our work took us from one corner of the country to the other, meeting a lot of new friends and reconnecting with old ones along the way.  Below is a brief recap of each of our projects.  


Behind each project are countless supporters of our work.  You have given us encouragement as we’ve traveled and conducted each task.  Some of you even joined us this year in Poland!  And even more of you made financial donations to The Matzevah Foundation.  Each of these gifts aided us in a variety of ways this summer.  We could not do our work without you.


Thank you

We are saddened to learn of the vandalism in Karmanowice, Poland this week. In collaboration with Fundacja Zapomniane, Stowarzyszenie Żydowski Instytut Historyczny w Polsce, the local community, and others, The Matzevah Foundation was proud to be a partner in the commemoration of this mass grave last year.


There is no place for disrespect of any holy and sacred site, no matter the religion. Our hope is that this incident will create more awareness and unity within the community.

​The Matzevah Foundation is pleased to announce our projects for the summer of 2019!

​Our hearts break for the families of those killed and injured at Congregation Chabad and for the Jewish community of Poway, California.  Such an act of violence against worshipers on the last day of Passover is all the more horrifying and unthinkable.  Houses of worship for believers of all faiths should be safe places for everyone.


The Matzevah Foundation strongly condemns this and any act of anti-semitism.  It holds no place in our society.


To the Poway Jewish community, we stand with you in prayer.

A few days ago we shared with you the great AP News article that was done that highlights the work of Steven Reece and The Matzevah Foundation.  Today we're happy to share with you the video they shot while we were on location with our friends at Rohatyn Jewish Heritage as we worked together in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Rohatyn.

The video provides a great look into the work of a cemetery restoration project.  Please visit Rohatyn Jewish Heritage's website for a complete recap of this project.

While working in Rohatyn, Ukraine with our partners at Rohaytn Jewish Heritage, Steven Reece was interviewed by a pair of reporters from AP News.  They have published their article today and we're seeing it being picked up by news agencies all around the world.  It's very exciting!

The article focuses on Steven's calling to restore Jewish cemeteries around Poland as well as his desire to restore dialogue between many different groups of people.  The AP also took film footage of our work in Rohatyn and will be releasing that shortly.

Please check out the AP News article and we invite you to share it with people who might be interested in the important work that is happening to around Poland and Ukraine to remember and honor the Jewish heritages of these great countries.

We are recently back from a wonderful week spent in Rohatyn, Urkaine with our partners at Rohatyn Jewish Heritage.  Jay and Marla Osborn invited The Matzevah Foundation to Ukraine last year with the goal to help them understand all of the particulars of carrying out a Jewish cemetery restoration project.  TMF president Steven Reece along with board members Rachel McRae and Przemek Panisuik and volunteer staff member Bruce Mussey joined in on the project.  We were also lucky to have Rachael Romero join us for a second project this summer.

Rohatyn Jewish Heritage has provided a thorough recap of the week of work in the Old Jewish cemetery.  We invite you to check out this article and to learn more about their future plans in Rohatyn by visiting their website.