Religion

Hikind approves Upstate NY group’s request to bury Jewish holy items

February 13, 2013 Associated Press

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MONROE, N.Y.— A Hudson Valley organization has been given authorization from New York state to properly dispose of Jewish books and other sacred objects damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

State Assemblyman Dov Hikind of Brooklyn says the Department of Environmental Conservation has granted burial rights to Beth Genizah Olam (gehn-EE’-zuh OH’-lahm) in the Orange County town of Monroe, 45 miles north of New York city.

The Jewish religion forbids certain holy objects from being discarded in the trash. Such objects, known as shaimos (SHAYE’-mohs), must be disposed of in a respectful manner.

Hikind says between the Jewish holidays of Purim on Feb. 24 and Passover in late March and early April, six tractor-trailers will be available in Brooklyn and Monsey in Rockland County to collect damaged religious articles for burial in Monroe.