Seeds and Roots: Digging into the past

Vamosujfalu is translated as the new village of the customs tax collector. “Vamos” refers to the tax collector, and “ujfalu” is a typical name added to many Hungarian towns.

The bridge in the distance is the place at which people crossed the road and paid their customs tax.

As I wrote yesterday, we found ourselves in this exact spot in our attempt to get into the Jewish cemetery in Vamosujfalu.

We tried on by the road, then walked around by the plowed field.

We knew there was something in there. We just had to find a way in.

Finally, after burrs, and thorns, leaves in our hair and mud on our shoes, we made our way through the trees where we found a few moss-covered headstones.

Many had fallen or were worn away.

Most we couldn’t read, although Karesz translated as much of the Hebrew that was still readable.

The I heard John call out, “I’ve found one that says Friedman.” 

Time seemed to stand still. John was no more than 15 feet to my left. I went over and looked.

There, literally among the roots of the largest tree in the woods, was my great-great grandfather, “Friedman Aron” written in lettering I could read, who had been there since 1896 without anyone to visit him, perhaps, since his wife and children moved to America 126 years ago.

His body had become one with the tree. Perhaps you could say it fed the tree, helped it grow. And in turn, the tree hugged its roots — my roots — around his gravestone.

Karesz read the Hebrew inscription and confirmed the name and death date. Not much else was readable, having been worn away or covered with moss. I will continue to try to read it in the photos. But today, now, I felt so much joy in the discovery. Karesz put on his kippah. We said Kaddish, which Mayor Lajos and John looked on. I hoped Aron heard us. I hope somehow his spirit could feel my return, could know that even though his family moved away, he has not been forgotten. His children have thrived. They have had children. And their children have had children. His legacy, his DNA, his lineage lives on.