Then

 STANETSKY MEMORIAL CHAPELS, INC. has provided services to the Jewish communities of the Greater Boston area for over 112 years and four generations.

Jacob Stanetsky, an immigrant from Lithuania, landed on these shores in the late 1870s. He was a man of stature with an imposing beard and the ability to speak extemporaneously and sing with a beautiful voice. He was a well educated, religious man and served as a "Shamus," or guardian of a "Shule" called Congegration Shari Jerusalem, in the South End of Boston. He was well respected by the hordes of non-English speaking Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.

From his position in the Shule, he was sought after for many favors. Most significant was the need to handle problems arranging for funerals and performing the burial process. We have been shown death certificates signed by him in the mid 1880s, but the actual year in which he was first listed in the City of Boston's occupational list as an "undertaker" was 1892. There were many who tried to emulate him, but he rose above the rest. He was joined by his only son, Manuel Stanetsky, following World War I.

"Manny," as he was called by everyone, was less religious, much more gregarious and a major philanthropist. By the time the chapel in Grove Hall was opened in 1934, the name "Stanetsky" was already a household word for "death" among Jewish people. Unfortunately, he died suddenly in 1946 and his place was taken by his brother-in-law, Ben Birnbach, and later by his son-in-law Arnold Golov. Arnold was the ship's captain into the early 70s when his son-in-law and sons took charge of the business.

The tradition continued with Manny’s two grandchildren. Robert W. LeVine, Arnold's son-in-law and Manuel S. Golov, his son, named for his grandfather, each in the business for over 35 years, were dedicated to maintain Jewish funeral standards and the level of compassion required by our faith. Jewish funeral directors who have joined us are also fourth generation members to serve the Jewish communities. They include Edward M. Hymanson, Bruce Schlossberg, and Carl Goldman.
 

Now

STANETSKY MEMORIAL CHAPELS and its directors have been leaders in the Jewish Funeral Directors of America since its inception in 1927. Our directors have also been active in "aftercare," helping to found the "Widow to Widow" program in the 1960s. Bruce Schlossberg delivers lectures explaining death to children in secular grade schools, high schools and colleges and in Jewish institutions. They are also active in various hospice programs in this area and in interdisciplinary conferences on bereavement and grief.

Our directors are deeply involved with the Jewish Family and Children's Services, an agent which is part of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston (CJP) and which has settled thousands of Russian immigrants from the former Soviet Union in our area. In addition, our directors have worked diligently for the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts (JCAM), an agency which brings higher standards to scores of older cemeteries which need improvements and dollars in order to function. Bruce Schlossberg was the founding President of JCAM and remains an active consultant of cemetery partnerships and problem solving.

And finally, in early spring 1998, our company introduced to the Boston area the "Escape School," 'Tips for kids, Tips for Parents' to avoid child abductions. This will take place in many locations of a 4 day period at no cost to the attendees. We think that this program can help prevent senseless deaths and fulfill community needs.

We think funeral services in the next century will change and we will surely change with it. Nonetheless, our company, along with assistance from SCI, can help us make these and other programs more worthwhile for the communities we serve. It gives all of us as caregivers great personal satisfaction in helping to make our world a better place in which to live.