Rescuing Cairo's Leishaa Jewish Cemetery
The conservation of one of Egypt's few remaining Jewish cemeteries
Leishaa Cemtery After Conservation (2020-08) by Project PhotographerAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Leishaa cemetery, located in south Cairo, is one of the few Jewish cemeteries remaining in Egypt. This is the family plot of the Leishaa family of Karaite Jews.
Leishaa Cemtery Before Conservation (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
However, the Jewish community in Egypt declined sharply after most people left in the 1960's. The cemeteries have been neglected and repurposed by people living in the neighborhood.
Leishaa Cemetery Before Conservation (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The people using the space had moved out by the time the conservation project started, but they left behind intrusive structures which had to be removed along with truckloads of garbage and debris.
Leishaa Cemetery Before Conservation (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The graves had been badly disturbed.
Leishaa Cemtery Before Conservation (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
So in 2019, the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) initiated a project, funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, to clean and preserve two Kariate Jewish cemeteries in Cairo; Leishaa, which you see here, and the neighboring Menasha graveyard.
The Preservation of Jewish-Egyptian HeritageAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Dr. Louise Bertini, the Executive Director of ARCE, discusses some of the conservation challenges at Leishaa and Menasha graveyards.
Leishaa Cemtery After Conservation (2020-08) by Project PhotographerAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
After manual and chemical cleaning of the granite, the graves were reassembled and new paving stone placed in front.
Gravestone in Leishaa Cemetery (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The graves were originally inlaid with lead, which was removed and stolen. Conservators mixed zinc and black oxide to form a paste of the same color to act as a substitute for lead and recreate the inscriptions.
Wall of Leishaa Cemetery Before Conservation (2019-12) by Ayman DamaranyAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
There were also holes in the surrounding walls that needed to be repaired and strengthened.
Gate to Leishaa Cemetery After Conservation (2020-08) by Ahmed ShafiqAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The iron gate and stone façade were also cleaned, repaired, and protected.
Prayer House After Conservation (2020-08) by Project Staff PhotographerAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The prayer house was where the family would congregate when visiting their deceased loved ones. The steps were rebuilt and the wood door repaired, and the walls stabilized.
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Looking Forward
Now that the site is restored and secure, the next step is to add landscaping and informational signs.
Wall and Gate of Leishaa Cemetery (2020-08) by Ahmed ShafiqAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
Sharing Heritage
In collaboration with the Drop of Millk Association, the team also developed a site management plan, including a visitors center, to ensure the site continues to be protected and available to visitors and locals curious about the history of Jewish families in Egypt.
Wall and Gate of Leishaa Cemetery (2020-08) by Ahmed ShafiqAmerican Research Center In Egypt (ARCE)
The preservation of this small family cemetery is the first step in a mission to protect Egypt's Jewish heritage and bringing light to this aspect of the Egypt's rich history.
Discover More:
Tour Leishaa Cemetery
Restoring Cairo's Menasha Jewish Cemetery
Take a Tour of Menasha Cemetery
7 Things to Know about Cairo's Oldest Jewish Cemeteries
Uncovering Egypt's Jewish History
This conservation of the historic Jewish cemetery of Basatin was conducted by the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) in collaboration with the Drop of Milk Association and funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Story created by Tessa Litecky, ARCE
Learn more about ARCE at arce.org
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