We are looking away from low coastal areas and focusing on inland ground that can be checked for drainage, floodplain, wetlands, access, and groundwater before we close.
Sheimos with kavod, here in Florida
Geniza HaKodesh
Every shul eventually has the same question: what do we do with the boxes of worn sefarim, papers, and sheimos that need genizah? Geniza HaKodesh is being built to give Florida communities a clear, respectful answer.
Kavod firstCollected carefully. Buried properly.
First stepsecure the land
Done carefullyanswers before use
$650kinitial campaign target
Mission
Every community has sheimos. Florida needs a dependable place for it.
This does not need to be fancy. It needs to be reliable. The goal is simple: collect sheimos from shuls, keep it dry and protected, sort it according to halachic guidance, and bury it in a proper place.
What matters
We want to do this carefully from the beginning.
The land matters, but the way it is used matters just as much. We are checking the ground, asking the government questions in writing, and building the operating plan before public collection begins.
This should not be an open dumping area or a deep pit. The plan is a controlled burial area, covered respectfully and mapped for the future.
Before public collection begins, a Rav will guide how worn sefarim, papers, and higher-kedusha items should be separated and handled.
We are asking the county and environmental agencies the questions now, so the project is not built on assumptions.
Burial approach
Simple, covered, and recorded.
The burial area should be simple and protected. Sheimos would be placed respectfully, covered properly, and recorded so the ground is not disturbed later.
Protective cover
Sheimos burial area
Groundwater buffer confirmed before use
Current stage
We are raising the land money first.
We are not putting the parcel on the public website while review is still underway. The public page explains the need and the budget. The exact property, title materials, and agency correspondence can be shared privately with Rabbanim, counsel, and serious donors.
Publicly shared
- Why Florida communities need this
- Why inland high ground is being pursued
- The expected budget and stages
- How Rabbanim and donors can review the plan
Held privately
- The parcel, address, MLS, and owner details
- The exact map location and property records
- Title, permit, and agency emails
- Site-specific engineering and environmental work
Operating model
What this will look like in practice.
A shul should not have to wonder what to do next. The plan is to place labeled boxes, schedule pickup, keep the material covered, sort it properly, and bury it in a known protected area.
Shul boxesClean labeled receptacles for participating communities
Covered pickupAn enclosed Geniza HaKodesh van keeps material dry in transit
Intake rulesGeneral sheimos and stricter kedusha items are separated
Recorded burialEach burial area is mapped, covered, and left undisturbed
Fundraising
What we need to raise now: $650,000
The first piece is the land. After that we need to make it usable: access, fencing, security, government answers, and the first burial area. Once that is in place, we can begin serving shuls in a normal, reliable way.
Goal 1$160,000
Secure the land
Buy the land and keep enough in reserve for title, closing costs, and immediate control of the site. We are not posting the parcel publicly while the checks are still underway.
Goal 2$345,000
Prepare it properly
Get answers from the county and environmental agencies in writing, prepare the site plan, install fencing and security, and make the first burial area ready.
Goal 3$145,000
Begin pickups
Put boxes in shuls, begin protected pickup with a white Geniza HaKodesh vehicle, and cover the first months of operations.
Land purchase and closing reserve$160,000
Permits, engineering, fencing, security, and site work$345,000
Collection vehicle, shul boxes, branding, and launch reserve$145,000
Recommended target$650,000
Collection vehicle
A covered van so sheimos is moved with respect.
A white enclosed van keeps the boxes dry, gives room for sefarim, and makes pickups neat and recognizable.
Recommended vehicleWhite Ford Transit-250 Medium Roof cargo van
Planning allowance$65,000 included in Goal 3
BrandingGeniza HaKodesh side and rear lettering
Use caseProtected pickup of boxes, books, and sefarim
Online giftsZeffy is live
First goalLand comes first
VehicleWhite van budgeted
PrivacyParcel kept private
Giving levels
The project can move quickly if the land is funded.
Safeguards
Some details should stay private until the checks are done.
- The exact property is being kept private while the checks are still underway.
- A Rav should review the plan before any final public presentation of a parcel.
- County and environmental answers will be kept in writing.
- Rabbanim, counsel, and serious donors can receive the private packet directly.
Project contact
Ask for the private packet.
For rabbinic review, a founding pledge, or interest from a shul, contact Judah Mandel.