ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 111623 - Translation - Tombstone - USA - Pittsburgh PA area - Alter, also Vlansky or Wilentz


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Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 8/3/2025 2:57 PM
Family Surname: Alter, also Vlansky or Wilentz
Country: USA
Town: Pittsburgh PA area
Date of Image: 2023

Click the picture to enlarge

Full translation would be appreciated to confirm identity. I believe this Sarah was the wife of a cantor named Moshe Alter, and daughter of Abe Vlansky or Wilentz. Thank you for considering.

Response

8/3/2025 6:04 PM

Here lies

the modest woman, Mrs.

SARAH FRAYDA, wife of [this is slightly misspelled]

the "Shliach Tzibur" Alter; she passed away on the second day [of the Hebrew week], the 18th of Menachem Av, 5657.

May her soul be bound up in the bond of life.
===============================================
This stone is slightly unusual in two ways. Firstly, it does not name her father; nearly all headstones name the father of the deceased. Secondly, it names her husband. Usually, when this occurs, it indicates that the husband was an important member of the Jewish community, as was the case here. Her father is called a "Shliach [SHLEE-ahch, with the ch as in Chanukah or Bach] Tzibbur [TSEE-boor], which translates to one who is sent by the congregation (to pray on their behalf). This usually indicates someone with a nice voice who knows how to lead the congregation in prayer. A cantor -- who has been professionally trained vocally -- is usually referred to as a Chazzan.

The month of "Menachem Av" is also known by the shorter name of Av.

By the way: We are currently in the month of Av. If the deceased is someone important to you, and you would want to observe the Yahrzeit (anniversary of the date of death), for example by lighting a memorial candle or giving charity in their memory, the 18th of Av is approaching soon. It will occur next week, beginning at sunset on Monday the 11th and ending at sunset on the 12th.

8/3/2025 6:06 PM

I neglected to mention that the second part of Sarah's name, Frayda, is a Yiddish name and means joy.

Also, interestingly, her husband's first name is omitted (you wrote that it was Moshe).

ViewMate Posting VM 111623

Submitted by Amy Babcock

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 111623

Submitted by Amy Babcock