A Story – 25 Years In The Making – That Wouldn’t Let Go

by Levi Piekarski

There are Yidden who leave this world surrounded by family, memories, and a matzeivah that quietly tells their story.

And then there are those who are left behind… with no visitors, no voice, and sometimes—no matzeivah at all.

For nearly 25 years, one such Yid rested in silence.

A Story That Wouldn’t Let Go

It began with a simple conversation with Rabbi Aaron Margolin of the Chabad House of Virginia.

I had reached out regarding my Tehillim service—reciting the entire Sefer Tehillim at a kever or at the Ohel, l’iluy nishmas, for those seeking yeshuos and yeshuos for their loved ones.

During that conversation, the topic shifted.

I shared with him the other side of my work—the quiet, difficult world of Chesed Shel Emes, where forgotten kevarim are restored, and where I try to bring dignity back to those who have no one left to speak for them.

I told him I had recently raised funds for a matzeivah for a niftar who had passed only two years earlier, and that I was already working on another restoration project. Over time, I have been zocheh to restore more than 300 kevarim, each one carrying its own silent story.

Then Rabbi Margolin said something that stopped me.

He told me that nearly 25 years ago, he had conducted a levayah for a Yid—but to this day, there was still no matzeivah.

No marker. No name on stone. Just silence.

Something about that didn’t let me move on.

A Name That Was Almost Lost

At first, it seemed nearly impossible.

There was no clear record of the Jewish name. I contacted Chabad contacts, Chevra Kadisha organizations, Shimrei Hadas—week after week, one answer led to another dead end.

My Rav and Mashpia reminded me how important it is for a matzeivah to carry the proper Jewish name. That became my focus: not just to place a stone, but to restore identity.

Slowly, through persistence and Hashem’s help, the name finally surfaced.

After almost 25 years, a name was restored to a kever that had none:

ירמיהו יעקב בן יוסף

Today, He Has a Matzeivah

On Chof Sivan, the matzeivah was finally installed.

A Yid who had lain forgotten for decades now has a place that speaks his name.

A stone. A marker. A quiet dignity returned.

Why This Matters

In the world of Chesed Shel Emes, there is no audience. No recognition. No expectation of return.

Only the mitzvah itself.

Every kever restored is a statement:

This Yid is not forgotten.

Every matzeivah placed is a whisper:

You mattered.

A Personal Zechus

Whenever I go to the Ohel or to kivrei tzaddikim, I bring pictures of the kevarim I have been zocheh to restore. I daven there on behalf of those who ask for yeshuos, using each act of Chesed Shel Emes as a zechus.

I would like to thank Shimon Goldman from the Chevra Kadisha for installing this matzeivah. His work brings dignity to those who can no longer ask for it themselves.

Help Continue This Chesed Shel Emes

So far, I have been involved in restoring over 350 kevarim, with a goal of reaching 400 matzeivos by Gimmel Tammuz, IY”H.

But this work cannot continue alone.

Each kever restored requires care, time, and resources. Each matzeivah is another Yid being brought back into remembrance.

Current Projects

Matzeivah installation: $1,500

Restoration project (47 kevarim on Yud-Gimmel Iyar): $4,500

Every contribution directly helps bring dignity to a niftar who has no one else.

Tehillim Service – L’iluy Nishmas & Yeshuos

I also offer to recite the entire Sefer Tehillim at a kever in the same bais HaChaim of the Ohel for $150, for yahrtzeit, refuah sheleimah, shidduch, parnassah, or other personal needs.

To Participate in This Mitzvah

Zechusim are not measured in size—but in sincerity.

Every donation helps restore a name, a kever, and a dignity that should never be lost.

PLEASE DONATE

For donation purposes only

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