By Ady Manory
Assistant Editor
Treasured History of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
Date: January 22, 2025
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Mayerson JCC
This lecture will explore the history and interesting facts about Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC), a nonprofit operating 23 of the 26 Jewish cemeteries in the Greater Cincinnati area. These cemeteries comprise 60 acres in seven locations.
The JCGC website mentions several noteworthy figures interned in the Cincinnati area. Here are five:
Chestnut Street Cemetery:
Benjamin Lieb
“In 1821, when Benjamin Lieb (or Lape), who had not been known as a Jew, was dying, he begged to be buried as a Jew. There was no Jewish burial ground in the town. Morris Moses and Joseph Jonas, two of Cincinnati’s six Jews, proceeded to acquire a small plot of ground from Nicholas Longworth to be used as a cemetery to bury Lieb.
The Chestnut Street Cemetery is the oldest Jewish cemetery west of the Alleghenies and is located in the Betts-Longworth Historic District in the West End. The Cemetery is sited on a small plot enclosed by high walls and a locked gate.”
Walnut Hills Cemetery:
Isaac Mayer Wise (1819–1900), was one of American Jewry’s most influential leaders during the 19th century. In 1854, the energetic Wise, launched a newspaper then known as The Israelite. The name of the paper was changed to The American Israelite in 1874.
David Urbansky (1843–1897), was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry in battle at Vicksburg and Shiloh during the American Civil War – one of six Union Jewish soldiers to receive this award.
Covedale Cemeteries:
Eliezer Silver (1882-1968), In 1932 Silver accepted an invitation to become Rabbi in Cincinnati at Kneseth Israel. He became head of the Va’ad Hoier, making him the ultimate halachic authority over other synagogues belonging to the Va’ad. In 1939, Silver convened an emergency meeting in New York City to discuss the recent developments in Nazi-occupied Europe. At this meeting the Va’ad Hatzalah, or Rescue Committee, was formed, with Rabbi Silver as president. He launched a fund-raising campaign, collecting more than $5 million, which helped to provide 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees in Eastern Europe.
Price Hill Cemeteries:
Schachne Isaacs (1811–1887), immigrated from Lithuania and arrived in the Cincinnati area by way of New York in 1856. He opened a general store in Darrtown, later moving to Cincinnati where he entered the wholesale dry goods business. Isaacs was vigilant in the observance of Orthodoxy. When his congregation failed to include plans for a mikvah in a proposed building, he resigned in protest and started his own congregation, Beth Tefyla, in 1869.
The program is only open to members of the JCC and/or 60 & Better Center. The 60 & Better Center is an award winning program, and a partner in the National JCC Adult & Senior Alliance aiming at keeping your aging loved ones active, well, and entertained. The program offers many wellness, learning, arts classes, day trips, and helpful services. Members are also eligible to receive cost effective meals, transportation services, Meals on Wheels, “Shalom Phone” telephone reassurance, and much more. More information about membership is available on the JCC website.
