Jews Ordered to Clean Up "Shaimos" Site by N.J. Department of Environmental Protection

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection this week ordered a "shaimos" site -- that is, a burial site for Jewish religious artifacts -- to be cleaned up, followwing complaints by area residents.

The Jewish religious texts and clothing -- called shaimos -- were collected from Jewish residents of Lakewood for burial in the days leading to passover, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Wolf Skacel -- the environmental department's assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement -- told the newspaper that the burial is a temporary solution until the department finds a "more proper location."

Creating a landfill requires a public hearing, county planning, and a permit application to the Department of Environmental Protection.