If you are visiting a kever of attending a levaya in the Beis Hakvaros located on the border between Bat Yam and Holon, you will have to shell out 12 NIS for parking. More than a few people who visited the beis chaim in recent days filed a complaint, simply outraged to learn they have to pay to park in the beis hachaim. For one thing, they question how a parking lot that was built with taxpayer funds to serve the public can be handed over to a private company.

Some residents admit that for them, the matter is not the 12 NIS but the concept of having the chutzpah to compel a participant in a levaya to pay for parking. For others it is a matter of having to spend 12 shekels to park in a beis hachaim.

The beis hachaim is situated in Bat Yam but the Chevra Kadisha of the Tel Aviv/Central District is responsible for it. The chevra kadisha explains the parking lot has been overrun by the companies who manufacture matzeivos. One wishing to park must contend with stones and debris from the matzeivos. Hence they decided to turn over the lot to a private company who is only charging 12 NIS for unlimited parking. Chevra officials feel the sum is a modest one and now the lot is clear of debris.

Bat Yam City Hall promises to speak with chevra kadisha officials but add the final decision in this case

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)