Santa Fe Memorial Gardens

The Jewish section of Rivera Family Funerals and Memorial Gardens Cemetery is the only dedicated Jewish cemetery in Santa Fe. Working with the Cemetery Committee of the Jewish Community Council of Northern New Mexico, the Architect designed three elements to beautify and to foster community ownership; first, the existing short stone wall was expanded to embrace this entire section. 

Second, through the tradition of bimkom kever, ‘in place of the grave’, visitors can memorialize loved ones buried in other cemeteries or for whom there is no grave with plaque mounted on this wall. 

Third, with the help of local artists, in a piece of land immediately adjacent, the architect designed a circular bench that draws on iconography from ancient Israel. Surrounded by upright evergreen trees, the area will be a special space for contemplation and reflection in the Santa Fe Jewish Cemetery.