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Cleveland State University EngagedScholarship@CSU Cleveland Memory Books 6-2024 The History of Jewish Cemeteries In Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Jeffrey S. Morris Cleveland State Follow this and additional works at: https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevmembks  Part of the Jewish Studies Commons, and the United States History Commons How does access to this work benefit you? Let us know! Recommended Citation Morris, Jeffrey S., "The History of Jewish Cemeteries In Cleveland and Cuyahoga County" (2024). Cleveland Memory. 69. https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevmembks/69 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Books at EngagedScholarship@CSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Cleveland Memory by an authorized administrator of EngagedScholarship@CSU. For more information, please contact library.es@csuohio.edu. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in  Cleveland and Cuyahoga County                                         Jeffrey S. Morris      The History of Jewish Cemeteries in  Cleveland and Cuyahoga County                                                                            Jeffrey S. Morris   An online version of this book can be found at  https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevmembks/ The book is brought to you for free and open access at EngagedScholarship@CSU.  It has been accepted for inclusion in MSL Academic Endeavors eBooks by an authorized administrator of EngagedScholarship@CSU.  For more information, please contact library.es@csuohio.edu.         2024 MSL Academic Endeavors Imprint of Michael Schwartz Library at Cleveland State University Published by  MSL Academic Endeavors Cleveland State University  Michael Schwartz Library  2121 Euclid Avenue  Rhodes Tower, Room 501 Cleveland, Ohio 44115 http://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/ ISBN: 1-936323-85-0 ©2024 Jeffrey Morris; Cleveland, Ohio This work is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License  CC BY-NC-SA     The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 2024 is an updated version of  Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland, Ohio written and published by Jeffrey Morris in 2019  ii   Take Note:  The congregations are listed in order of the date incorporated. Contents Take Note:  The congregations are list in order of the date incorporated ii Image Credits iii Acknowledgments iii Introduction iv The question that is often asked: “Why are the first Jewish Cemeteries on the west side, when most of the Jewish community is on the east side?” v Willett Street Cemetery 1 Fir Street Cemetery 3 Jewish Bohemian Cemetery  Baxter 6 Harvard Road Cemetery 19 The Lansing Avenue Cemetery 21 Mayfield Cemetery 38 Glenville Cemetery 43 Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery 47 Oheb Zedek Taylor Road Cemetery 51 Bet Olam Cemetery 55 Mount Olive Cemetery 62 Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Association a.k.a. Lincoln Road Cemetery 73 Ahavath Israel—Rabbi Berger’s Congregation 75 Mt. Sinai Cemetery 77 Zion Memorial Park 83 Chesterland Memorial Park 85    iii    Image Credits Cover design by Donna Stewart, Web Specialist, Cleveland State University Michael Schwartz Library: • Front Cover image:  “Star of David at the entrance to an old Jewish cemetery", photo by AnneGM/stock.adobe.com • Back Cover image: "Jüdischer Friedhof, Davidstern", photo by SimonsArt-PhotoVideo/stock.adobe.com  Other photo sources: Jeffery Morris unless otherwise cited.      Acknowledgments   This project could not have been completed without the help of many of my closest colleagues.  I especially want to thank William Barrow, former head of the Special Collections Department at the Cleveland State University Michael Schwartz Library and Dr. Richard Klein, retired professor of Business and Urban Studies at Cleveland State University along with  Barbara Loomis,  Digital Scholarly Publications and Programs Administrator at Cleveland State University Michael Schwartz Library.  In addition, I wish to thank Arnie Burger Ph.D. and Janet Ghiandoni.  Ms. Ghiandoni is a lay leader who cares deeply about those cemeteries.  In addition, much thanks to the Cuyahoga County archival staff and the “Map Room” team at the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office.    iv   Introduction  I first became aware of the dilapidated condition of the Jewish Cemetery on Lansing Avenue in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood in 2005. Established in 1886, the cemetery consists of eighteen parcels. Owned by eight synagogues, they range in size from 1/20th of an acre to five acres. As a lifelong student of Urban Studies and as a Jew, I was puzzled as to why the cemetery had been allowed to deteriorate. The first step in answering that question was to identify its owners. The Cuyahoga County property records were a great resource in that regard.  Using plat maps and online records from the county recorder’s office and the Ohio Secretary of State, I soon found out that many of the founding congregations either no longer existed or had merged with others.  Therefore, any historic legal documents pertaining to the maintenance of their specific section of that cemetery were scarce. The good news is with the help of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds have been raised to maintain the Lansing Avenue cemetery.  Although challenging, this effort is a prime example of the quality work being done by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland to ensure that the final resting places for some of our most cherished family members are taken care of properly. As I became more and more interested in researching and understanding Ohio’s laws regarding the upkeep of local cemeteries, I have expanded my efforts to include the fifteen other Greater Cleveland Jewish cemeteries. My work also focused on why some Jewish cemeteries were established on the city’s west side given the fact that majority of the Jewish population resides on Cleveland’s east side.   v   The question that is often asked: “Why are the first Jewish Cemeteries on the west side, when most of the Jewish community is on the east side?”  The Cuyahoga River divides Cleveland into the East Side and the West Side. A question is often asked, “Why were the first Jewish cemeteries of Cleveland located on the West Side when most of the Jewish community resides on Cleveland’s East Side?” In light of those well-known demographics of the city, the question of why there are Jewish cemeteries on Cleveland’s West Side is a valid one. The most probable answer is that land was less expensive on the West Side. Another possible reason involves an unfounded concern that the deceased could emit disease and thus should be buried a distance from the center of town. It is uncertain whether either supposition is correct. The first Jews to have settled in Cleveland are thought to have resided circa 1830 between West Third and East 9th Street from Superior Avenue south to what today would be Carnegie Avenue. The first synagogue was built in 1846 just west of East 9th Street at 600 Eagle Avenue. According to Lloyd P. Garner’s book History of the Jews of Cleveland published in 1978, by 1840 there were approximately twenty Jewish families among the 6,000 residents within the village. At the time, the only burial ground in the village was the Erie Street Cemetery located just south of the synagogue. That cemetery, operated by the village of Cleveland, was established in 1826. It is unknown whether any Jews are buried at this cemetery. While this location was certainly convenient, the growing populations of Jews and Christians each established their own burial grounds in order to maintain their customs. In 1840, members of Anshe Emeth acquired land on Willet Street just west of the Cuyahoga River. The Roman Catholic Church established St. Joseph Cemetery at East 79th Street and Woodland Avenue in 1879. Take note that this cemetery was farther east than Willet was west. The 1836 map  shown on the next page, published by Ahaz Merchant, shows the route from the center of the Jewish population to the Willet Street Cemetery was, with the help of a horse and carriage, not unduly far utilizing the Columbus Road bridge. That calculation indicates the walk to be 2.7 miles. The same logic can be applied to the Fir Street Cemetery established by the growing Hungarian population in 1866, as well as Anshe Emeth’s Park Synagogue, then located at East 9th Street south of what is now Carnegie Avenue. vi   The above map was published in 1836 by Ahaz Merchant. New York N.Y  A. Tifereth Israel, 600 Huron Rd., built 1848 (photo, top) B. Anshe Chesed, 714 Eagle Rd., built 1856 (middle photo) C. Anshe Emeth 2450 E. 9th, occupied 1883 (bottom photo) D. As a point of reference, the Carnegie Lorain Hope Memorial Bridge, built 1936. E. Columbus Road bridge F. Willet St. Cemetery (2254 Fulton Rd)   Photo sources A, B: Cleveland Jewish Blue Book Published 1917, Cleveland, Ohio held by the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland at Congregation Anshe Chesed Photos.  Plat Map C is from 1891 A.H. Mueller & Co.     Calculation indicates the walk to be 2.7 miles.   vii  A View from Above  1951 Aerial map of Cleveland. The Stars of David represent former locations of synagogues circa 1840 to 1940.  Source:  http://peoplemaps.esri.com/cleveland/.   The photo top right shows Cleveland’s sports complex developed in 1990 by the Gateway Economic Development Corporation. Source: Cuyahoga County website, http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us, June 14, 2018.   The red line indicates the location of Carnegie Avenue, formerly Ohio Street. The yellow line is East 9th Street, formerly Erie Street. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 1  Willett Street Cemetery Willett Street Cemetery 2254 Fulton Road  Formerly 99 Willett Cleveland, Ohio 44113 (216) 321-1733  Cleveland’s first Jewish cemetery was established in August of 1840 by the Israelite Society at 99 Willett Street (2254 Fulton Road). The 1.6-acre property consists of two parcels of land. The first parcel was acquired from Josiah Barber. The second parcel, a small lot at the western edge fronting Bailey Avenue, was acquired in 1871 by the Jewish Orphanage Asylum. The Israelite Society would soon become a part of Cleveland’s first incorporated Jewish Congregation, Anshe Chesed. Formed in 1848, Anshe Chesed is now known as Fairmount Temple. Today, the cemetery is well managed by United Jewish Cemeteries Inc., which is a partnership between Anshe Chesed and Tifereth Israel. United Jewish Cemeteries is also responsible for the Mayfield Cemetery in Cleveland Heights.   All of the parcels listed above are part of Permanent Parcel Number 007-07- 068. This excludes the small parcel fronting Bailey Avenue. Purchased in 1871 by the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Asylum and known as Permanent Parcel Number 007-07-067, it is currently owned by the Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau. According to the Ohio Secretary of State, Bellefaire’s name until 1920 was the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Asylum.   Date Grantee (Seller) Grantor (Buyer) Sub Lot Number Book & Page deed transfer documented by Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office  Book Page 1 8/7/1840 Josiah Barber Israelite Society n/a 28 461 2 6/1/1854 Joel Scranton Tifereth Israel 1 71 308 3 3//26/1868 August Rindfleisch Anshe Chesed 30 156 6 4 2/22/1871 Mary Scranton Tifereth Israel 2 184 121 5 4/5/1871 Thomas McGuire Tifereth Israel 3 186 43 6 4/6/1871 Mary McGuire Jewish Orphan Asylum east ¼ of 4 184 477 7 3/24/1881 Thomas McGuire Tifereth Israel west ¼ of 4 318 401  Is it Willet or Willett Street? Deeds and maps going back as far as the mid-1800s spell the street’s name both ways. The sign shown above is just east of the former caretaker’s home facing Fulton Road. Photo Source: Jeffrey Morris,  5/10/2021. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 2  The Rindfleisch Legacy  According to census data and newspaper articles from the day, the Willett Street Cemetery’s longtime caretaker was August Rindfleisch, often referred to as the Sexton of the Cemetery. Arriving from Prussia (now Germany) in 1850, he served in the Civil War, then returned to Cleveland and purchased a home adjacent to the cemetery at the corner of Willett Street and Siam Avenue. In 1866, he sold the home to the cemetery with the agreement that he and his family could live at the site for an undefined period of time. August would maintain the cemetery until his death in 1905. His son, Henry, would follow in his father’s footsteps until his death in 1936. Henry’s stepson, Ralph Koepke, served as the Superintendent of the Mayfield Road Cemetery (also owned by United Jewish Cemeteries) in the mid-1940s.  The Rindfleisch name can also be found at the Anshe Emeth Cemetery at the corner of Richmond Road and Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood, Ohio. Edward Rindfleisch served as the caretaker for this cemetery, established in 1910, until his death in 1962. His son, Arthur, continued to oversee the cemetery into the 1970s.          Above photo of the caretaker’s home at 2254 Fulton Rd, formerly Willet St. Thought to be demolished circa 1990. Source: United Jewish Cemeteries Cleveland Heights  Ohio , Ohio, 3/21/1985  One might ask, “Who is the first person of the Jewish faith to be buried in Cleveland?” Based on an article in The Israelite (later known as The American Israelite) dated August 20, 1858, written by its editor Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise of Cincinnati, the answer to that question would be Alexander Kahnweiler. The burial took place in August of 1840 at the newly established Willett Street Cemetery.  Wise wrote that while visiting Cleveland in 1858, he was told of the burial by Simpson Thorman, who was the first Jew to make Cleveland his home. Thorman established residence in Cleveland in 1837 and inspired relatives and friends from his hometown, Unsleben, Bavaria, to immigrate here. Little is known about Kahnweiler. He is thought to have been a peddler, recently arrived from the Rhineland. This first burial took place soon after the land had been acquired by the Israelitic Society, the forerunner of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.  A sign of the congregation’s ongoing commitment to those buried at the Willett Street Cemetery includes the scheduled replacement of Mr. Kahnweiler’ s gravestone in the Fall of 2024.  Sanborn Plat Map Vol 3. Shows the house at the corner of Fulton & Siam Ave. Source: Cleveland Public Library Map Collection. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 3  Fir Street Cemetery Fir Street Cemetery 6015 Fir Street Cleveland, Ohio 44102 (216) 371-2244 – Park Synagogue  The Fir Street Cemetery was established in April of 1866 when the Hungarian Aid Society acquired two of eight parcels from John Hoyt that were less than a mile northwest of the Willet Street Cemetery. The aid society acquired two additional parcels in July of 1877. The parcels were acquired by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in October of 1963.     The drawing to the right is page 12 of Volume 2 of G.M.  Hopkins’ 1922 Plat Map of Cleveland, Ohio. Published in 1922 in Philadelphia, Pa.  Hopkins and Sanborn were the leaders in providing maps to the insurance industries from the mid-1800s through the 1950s.   Sub lot number within original development of John Hoyt.   113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 Permanent Parcel Number assigned by County Recorder 002-29 079 002-29 080 002-029-081 002-29 083 002-29 084 Documents recorded by the Cuyahoga County Records Office, now the Fiscal Office of the County Administrator, by date and the Book and Page number. 11/28/1877 Mary Lawell sells sub lots 113 and 114 to Anshe Emeth. Book 287, page 86.  7/2/1877 Ferdinand Seltz sells sub lots 115, 116 and the western half to the Hungarian Aid Society. Book 280,   page 151. 4/5/1866 James Hoyt sells sub lot 118 and the eastern half of sub lot 117 to the Hungarian Aid Society. Book 138, page 428. 12/26/1866 James Hoyt sells sub lots 119 and 120 to Chevra Kadisha Cemetery Assoc. Book 114, page 540.   10/12/1879  Chevra Kadisha sells to Bnai (Benee Abraham). Book 2304, page 17. 10/14/1963 The Hungarian Aid Society deeds the four parcels to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Book 10964, page 185. Current Owner Anshe Emeth  Park Synagogue Jewish Federation of Cleveland State of Ohio  Photo of sign at entrance on Fir St. taken by Jeffrey Morris June 2016 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 4   A note about Permanent Parcel Numbers The first three digits are the book number that the parcel is listed in; the larger the number, the farther from the center of the county.  The second set of numbers identifies the page number within the book. The last three digits indicate the line of the page, the owner, and the deed transfer date. The former owner’s name generally appears but is crossed out. Parcel numbers do not change but can be divided or consolidated. Do not confuse the parcel number with a sub-lot number. A sub-lot number is provided by the developer of a site within a development. In December 1866, the Chevra Kadisha1 organization acquired land on Fir Street. The purchase included two parcels at the eastern end of the cemetery. According to county records, the property was sold in 1879 to B’nai Abraham. Today, the property is owned by the State of Ohio and maintained by Anshe Chesed-Park Synagogue with financial assistance from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. The date the state acquired the parcel is unknown. The transfer most likely occurred in 1905 when the county auditor ordered a county sheriff to sell the land to the highest bidder as the taxes had gone unpaid for several years.  While a nonprofit organization is often exempt from paying property tax, the organization must apply for an exemption. The lack of doing so and not officially incorporating with the state was a common trend in the early 1900’s. As a result, there were no acceptable buyers for the parcels, and the land was deeded to the State of Ohio. While no primary sources confirm ownership, according to a survey completed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the mid-1930s, this section of the cemetery belonged to Beth Hamidrosh Hagodol Beth Israel, formed in 1890 by Lithuanian Jews. In 1941, the congregation merged with Ohave Emuno, formed in 1882 by Russian emigrants. In 1947, Beth Hamidrosh Hagodol Beth Israel Ohave Emuno, then located on East 105th and Tacoma Avenue, merged with Heights Jewish Center. The only other document mentioning that a portion of the Fir Street Cemetery is part of Heights Jewish Center is a notice published in the Jewish Review and Observer on January 19, 1953. It informs members with loved ones buried in “our section” of the Fir Street Cemetery of an upcoming meeting to address the repairs required from a recent storm.  Anshe Emeth (deed reads Anshe Emes) purchased the remaining two parcels in November 1877. Anshe Emeth is now commonly known as Park Synagogue. This purchase is a prime example of nonprofit organizations not filing their incorporation with the state until a later date. According to the Ohio Secretary of State, Anshe Emeth was not incorporated until August 21, 1883; however, its first documented place of worship, located on East 9th Street, south of Carnegie Avenue, was purchased in January 1880.                                                1 A Chevra Kadisha (Holy Society) consists of a community of members that prepare a body for burial to ensure that the appropriate orthodox rituals are followed. In some communities, the group provides land for a proper burial when a family has no funds to do so. It should be noted that while one can assume a Chevra Kadisha is strictly a burial society, a synagogue with a similar name, Bohemian Chebra Kaddischa, was formed in 1884 and maintained a very active congregation until circa 1912. In 1887, the congregation purchased two small parcels for a cemetery on Baxter Avenue just west of Broadway.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 5  According to a survey in June 1936 by the County Recorder, there was a small dwelling 20 feet by 24 feet at the southern line of sub lot 115 with the only known address for the cemetery, 6015 Fir Avenue. A one-car garage measuring 10 feet by 20 feet was located to the west of the dwelling.  The survey listed the home as being built in 1885. The structure appeared on the 1922 Hopkins Plat. The structures also appear on the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey of 1970; however, they do not appear on the next series, taken in 1980. An article in the  August 28, 1911, Plain Dealer mentions the wife of the sexton, Mrs. Joseph Kalterjahn. An obituary in the Plain Dealer for Rudolf Schmidt,  dated  June 6, 1941, indicates that Schmidt had been the sexton for the Fir Avenue Jewish Cemetery for many years. He lived at 6015 Fir Street. According to the  U.S. Census, he and his family resided at the cemetery in both 1920 and 1930. His occupation is listed as cemetery caretaker.   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 6    Jewish Bohemian Cemetery  Baxter Jewish Bohemian Cemetery 6015 Baxter Street Cleveland, Ohio 44105   This small cemetery consists of two adjoining lots (PPN 132-04-028, 132-04-029), each measuring 40 x 140 feet, located in the neighborhood now known as Slavic Village. The lots were purchased in February of 1878 by Bemissi Checri Kieliche from James and Ermina Jones, who had acquired the lots along with several adjacent parcels from the County Sheriff’s office. The property fronts both Osmond Ct. on the north and Baxter Ave to the south, midway between Broadway Ave. and East 65th St., then Tod Street.  The need to obtain approval from the City of Cleveland to utilize the property as a cemetery became a public matter in 1878 when local papers published a story of a Jewish Bohemian family that had recently buried three young children on an unapproved lot on Brownell St. (East 14th) and Croton St. The approval was quickly granted in August of 1879 when at the same time, Cleveland Mayor Myron Herrick was agonizing over a request made by The Sisters of the Good Shepherd to establish a burial site on their campus, at the southeast corner of Selby (Carnegie) and Sterling (East 30th). Apparently, over the previous ten years, the Order of the Good Sheppard had buried six former nuns within the grounds of the convent. There is no record with the Ohio Secretary of State of Bemissi Checri Kieliche being incorporated, and the quitclaim deed from Smith does not list any representatives of the organization. However, in 1880, an organization was incorporated by Jacob Kraus, Joseph Stein, and Jacob Weiskopf, known as the Bohemian Chewra Kasischa Cemetery Association.  Kraus and Stein were members of the Bohemian Chebra Kaddischa Church Association, incorporated in 1884 and located on Case Ave. (E. 40th) just south of Woodland Avenue. According to the 1917 edition of the Cleveland Jewish Society book, published by The Jewish Independent Publishing Company, the congregation membership listed at 42 and over 150 members in their Sisterhood. Many members relocated to Cleveland's Glenville or Mt Pleasant neighborhoods, the building was sold, and the congregation disbanded in 1918. No official records for the congregation could be found until a review conducted in 1963 by the Ohio Secretary of State changed their status to “Canceled Failure to File/Statement of continued existence.”   Newly positioned entrance to the Baxter Street Cemetery installed by volunteers in 2010.Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 6/2017 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 7   About the Parcel(s)                                     The Mueller Plat and Cram Plat indicate that a single parcel just east of the cemetery was purchased by Matthias Dluzynaki in August 1899 for $240 from A. Morgan. Mr. Morgan would later divide the balance of his property on Baxter and several streets south to create a new subdivision of 256 parcels. The majority of these parcels are 40 ft. wide and 120 ft. deep. However, the deed transfers of Dluzynaki’s parcel through 2006 do not mention the parcel's angle. This leaves the question of why the angle is never mentioned. In addition, when did the eastern fence line of parcel 12 change from rectangular, measuring 40 x 140 ft., to an irregular polygon?   E. 65th (TOD St.) C  The above plat map (A), published in 1898 by A.H. Mueller of Philadelphia, Pa., shows parcels (sub-lots) 11 and 12 as described in the deed to the Cemetery Association in 1878, each parcel measuring 40 x 142 feet. The yellow box in parcel 12 indicates a wooden structure, most likely a shed.    An earlier plat map (B), published by George. Cram of Chicago Ill., in 1892, shows lot 12 as being partially part of the Barstow Sub-Division, and the A.W. Morgan parcel to the east, as having the property being on an angle.  That angle is consistent with the all of the other plat            B A  Do not confuse Sub lots with Permanent Parcel Numbers. Sub lot 11 is PPN 132-04-028, Sub lot 12 is 132-04-029 Broadway  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 8  An article published in the Jewish Independent on May 18th, 1928, provides us insight into its current status and lack of financial stability. It read as follows: Under the Direction of Mr. Kohner. One of the last surviving officers of the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery Association. A committee has been chosen to raise funds for the burial lots in the old Baxter Avenue Cemetery. It was decided that no greater the $10,000 would be needed and by placing the amount in a bank, the interest would cover the care and upkeep in every way, after which no further demand would be made. Up to the present time little over $1,200.00 has been raised. Contributions should be made payable to the Baxter Avenue Cemetery Fund and sent to the offices of A. A. Benesch, Society for Savings Building Cleveland, Ohio. It is pointed out that most of the donors to this fund have no near relatives buried in this little cemetery. Anyone wishing graves taken care of until the fund is completed should notify Mrs. Kohner or telephone Eddy 8205-M A second article in the same publication dated on Aug 16th, 1946, reads as follows: The trusties of the Baxter Avenue Cemetery Association organized in 1875 by the Bohemian Congregation Chevra Kadusha are contemplating the abandonment of the Cemetery and transferring the bodies interned there to either Mayfield or Willet Cemetery. It is requested, therefore, that the families or friends of the following persons buried in Baxter Avenue Cemetery should communicate with Alfred A Benesch, 1106 Citizens Building Cleveland, (14), advising him of their reaction to this proposal: Cora Adler, Joseph Adler, Miriam Adler, Bertha Beckerman, Martha Beckerman, Anna L Coblitz {Koblitz}, Anna Davis, Roy Darmstadter, Caroline Drucker, Ignatz Drucker Rudolph Fischel, Leopold Fischel, Rose Fischel, Erwin Federman, Louisa Feld, Albert Fried, Simon Greenwald, Anna Greenwald, Emma Jasckaleh, Harry Koblitz, Moses Kobilitz, Rachel Koblitz, Edward Krause, Clifford Metzel, Adolph Mintz, Sidney Pasternak, Adolph Popowsky, Ana Popowsky, Ernest Pollak, Ignatz Pollak, Samuel Pollak, Bernard Roubicek, R.D. Sattler, Herman J Schwartz, Sophie Schwartz, Charles Schwartz, Caroline Schwartz, W. B. Schwartz, Alois Smolka, Rosalie Smolka, Carrie Steiner, Edward Steiner, Gustav Steiner, Rudolph Stein, Sigmund Steindler, Clarence Weiner, Florence Weiner, Louis Weinfeld, Joseph Weinfeld, Heinrich Weinfeld, Rosa Weinfeld, Theresa Wodiccka. The only primary sources of information other than incorporation documents and purchase of the property that could be found are held by the Western Reserve Historical Society. These archives are known as the Cleveland Jewish Cemetery Associations Collection. 1955-2008. The finding Aid is MS5034. The documents include minutes of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland’s Committee on Jewish Cemetery Problems. They mention the lack of ongoing maintenance at the Cemetery from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s. A newspaper article in the Cleveland Press, published February 27th, 1961, announced the willingness, as recommended by the committee, to take responsibility for the cemetery. The article by Marion Morton is entitled “Deserted Graves Find Friends.” The article states, “A new chapter in the history of the old Cemetery has begun.”  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 9  In 2008, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, the cemetery’s neighbor to the south, broke ground on a $ 4 million athletic complex to be located east of Jewish Bohemian Cemetery. The project was financed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, Third Federal Savings Bank, and the Cleveland Browns, with support from the Slavic Village Development Corporation, and Councilman Anthony Baracelli. It included the acquisition of 13 homes on Baxter from the eastern edge of the cemetery to Broadway. The project transformed the adjacent Morgana Park that included a well-known slow-pitch ball field.  While familiar with the rich history of Slavic Village, this writer was unaware that this cemetery existed. One reason could have been the over-growth and aging homes that abutted the property. Knowing that the revitalization of Morgan Park was on the horizon, with the help of several volunteers, portions of the fence were replaced, the remains of several trees in the corners removed, and the fence gate was relocated to the north end of the cemetery at Osmond Court to the south end on Baxter. Over the next two years, the transition of the cemetery took place just in time for the dedication of Ben Strefanski II Stadium on September 2012. In 2014, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland repaired 16 headstones that were damaged over the years when one or more trees came down in a summer storm.                 Aerial view of the transformation of Morgana Park to the Ben Stefanski II Stadium, completed in September 2010. The stadium is part of the growing campus of well-known Central Catholic High School. The project including financial assistance from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, Its neighbor Third Federal Savings and the NFL through the Cleveland Browns. Source: http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us    The above aerial photo of Morgana Park was taken in 1970. Note how the Cemetery is all but hidden between the gymnasium of Central Catholic School to the west, Morgana Field to the east and homes fronting Baxter to the south. Source: http://peoplemaps.esri.com/cleveland, 1970            The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 10       The above photo of damaged headstones was taken in the fall of 2012. The photo to the right, taken from the end of Osmond Court looking south to Baxter in the summer of 2015, shows the installation of new foundations and up-righting of several gravestones that were damaged. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris.   Karen Koblitz a lifelong resident of California in search of her great great Grandfather Moses Koblitz, traveled to the Czech Republic in June 2014, and with the assistance of a Czech genealogist, she was able to trace her family's roots back to a small village in the Tabor Region of Bohemia. Moses and his second wife, Julia, and many of their children came to America in 1873 and settled in Cleveland. He led the family to America for a new and better life, saving them from extinction by the Nazis during the Second World War. Karen’s grandfather and father were born in Cleveland and had never been to Cleveland until last summer, and when she saw his gravestone in Baxter. Worn from weathering, she felt the need to honor him and have it resurfaced.              Moses Koblitz gravestone.  Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 2016 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 11  Appendix A: Jewish Bohemian Cemetery           Appendix A was created to answer a question asked by Janet Ghiandoni, an advocate addressing the need to ensure older Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland are maintained as intended.  The question was “Who might be buried at the Baxter Street Cemetery without a gravestone?”  This document describes the process used and the results. The cemetery consisting of two small parcels was officially acquired February 22nd, 1878, from James and Ermina Jones. The lots along with several adjacent parcels were secured from the County Sherriff’s due to foreclosure. The original deed lists the cemetery’s’ name as BEMISSI CHEVRI KIELICHE. No record could be found of Bemissi Chevri Kieliche being incorporated. In 1880, Jacob Kraus, Joseph Stein and Jacob Weiskopf incorporated an organization known as the Bohemian Chewra Kasischa Cemetery Association. Jacob Kraus had been the President of the Bohemian congregation on E. 40 South of Woodland Ave. There are several Kraus family members buried at Baxter.  The most common name of the cemetery is Baxter. Several death certificates list the name as: Osmond Court, Chebra Kadisha, and Bohemian Chebra.  Osmond Court is the road at the northern end of the cemetery and the location of the gate until its relocation in 2010 to the current location fronting Baxter Street, as shown on the map below.         Looking southeast at the Baxter Cemetery. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 2016   Above map created by Jeffrey Morris, 2018 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 12  Several websites were used for research. In many cases the information posted lacked identifying source data and/or a link to a document. We were able to locate two lists established locally.  The first source is an announcement published August 16th, 1946, by the Jewish Review and Observer, a predecessor of the Cleveland Jewish News. The announcement published under the direction of Alfred Benesch, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee of the Jewish Welfare Federation, expressed a desire to locate family members of those buried within the cemetery.  The notice read as follows:  “The trustees of the Baxter Avenue Cemetery Association organized in 1875 by the Bohemian Congregation, Chevera Kadisha, are contemplating the abandonment of the Cemetery and transferring the bodies interred there to either Mayfield or Willett Cemeteries. It is requested, therefore, that the families or friends of the following persons buried in Baxter Avenue Cemetery, communicate with Alfred A. Benesch, 1106 Citizens Building, Cleveland 14, Ohio, advising him of their reaction to this proposal.”  The second source2 is a collection of documents titled “BAXTER AVENUE CEMETERY 3,” compiled by Robert Gutsky, dated August 1993. This document is part of the collection maintained by the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland, (JGSC) within the library at Fairmount Temple. The document includes an undated enumeration completed by Bea Immerman along with further enumeration completed by Paul Klein in 2007.   There are fifty-five names on the Benesch list. What is unknown is the number of families Benesch did not include because he had already located a decedent.  The JGSC/ Robert Gutsky list includes 75 names. An additional eleven burials were found with primary source documentation on Find-a-Grave and Family Search.  Three additional graves were found that did not appear on either of the two lists.   A1 Number of identifiable gravestones found      48 Single, 5 double 58 B1 Number of deaths with official documentation indicating the burial took place at Baxter however unable to locate within the cemetery. 20 B2 Number of deaths with official documentation indicating the burial took place at “Jewish.” However unable to locate within the Cemetery if in fact Jewish is Baxter 2    C Names on Benesch and or JGSC list, not found at Baxter and without official documentation indicating burial took place within Cuyahoga County 5 D Possible duplicates on Benesch and or JGSC list 2 E Burials with headstones located at Baxter, not found on either the Benesch or JGSC lists. 3 F Burial where official documentation shows burial at another Cemetery 1 Determining the actual, absolute number of unmarked graves at the cemetery is uncertain without the use of ground penetrating radar. However, this research discovered using primary sources indicates that twenty to twenty-two unmarked graves exist at Baxter. It is probable that some or all of those are amongst the eight that are illegible.  In addition, the practice “memorializing” a death when the remains could not be recovered is an option taken by family members and at time no marker is placed with the cemetery.                                                2 As a reminder, primary sources for research of a death can include government records, records of a medical provider, court records, or the undertaker. 3 Additional information on the cemetery can be found in The Haymarket to the Heights, published 2014, in EngagedScholarship @ Cleveland State University under Cleveland Memory Books.   https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevmembks/23/. A print version is also available in the CSU Michael Schwartz Library’s Special Collection Department. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 13     The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 14   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 15  Unidentifiable Graves within the Baxter Cemetery Photos source:  Jeffrey Morris, circa 2015.            Names on list (Groups B1, B2) where official documents were found indicating the burial took place at Baxter, however not located. The *Indicates official documents list “Jewish” as the place of burial.                               I Row l Location & what can be read on the gravestone X 1A Base without headstone 1 1B Could be Schwartz 2 2A Just south of Popowsky headstone 3 4A  4 5A At southern end of row 5 only readable letter is J 5 5B Top of grave reads Mother 6 5C Only readable word is Father 7 5D Reads Aug 1___ 8 5E Unreadable No. on list Last Name First Name  No. on list Last Name First Name 1 Adler* Cora  52 Pollak Nathan 9 Darmstadter Baby Girl  58 Schwartz Caroline 21 Goodman Adolph  59 Schwartz Charles 22 Gorin Ber  60 Schwartz Herman 25 Isaac Jacob  61 Schwartz Marie 31 Koblitz* Rachel  63 Schwartz W B 37 Lederer Hermana  72 Steindler Rosa 38 Lederer Jake  77 Weiner Leopold 39 Loewy Anne  82 Wodicka Clarence 40 Loewy Gustov  87 Wodisky Emma 47 Pasternak Sidney     The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 16  Numbers on this List  # on Benesch List #  on JGSC list Last name First name Born Died  Group Based on listing Row number/ Additional info 1 1 1 Adler Cora   B2 Record of death indicating burial at Jewish*, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 2 2 2 Adler Joseph 1806 1883 A1 5 3 3 3 Adler Meriam  1900 A1 5 4 4 4 Beckerman Bertha 1882 1884 A1 2 5 5 5 Beckerman Martha 1884 1884 A1 2 6  6 Bernot Bernhardt  1898 A1 2 7 6 7 Coblitz Anna L   C Unable to locate grave and any information confirming burial at Baxter 8  8 Coblitz Aaron L 1882 1922 A1 5 9   Darmstadter Baby Girl 1898  B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 10 8 12 Darmstadter Roy 1899 1900 A1 5 11 7 9 Davis Annie 1860 1931 A1 5 12 9 10 Drucker Caroline 1845 1912 A1 3 13 10 11 Drucker Ignaz   A1 2 14  13 Federman Harvey 1903 1903 A1 5  15 14 14 Federman Ervin  1889 A1 5 16 15 15 Feld Louisa 1855 1885 A1 6 17 13 16 Fishel Rosa  1885 C Unable to locate grave and any information confirming burial at Baxter  18 12 18 Fishel Leopold  1905 A1 2 19 11 17 Fishel Rudolph  1900 A1 2 20 16 19 Fried Albert 1839 1877 A1 1 21   Goodman Adolph  1906 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter  22   Gorin Ber  1892 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 23 18 20 Greenwald Anne 1836 1912 A1 6 24 17 21 Greenwald Simon 1820 1906 A1 6 25   Isaac Jacob  1876 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter  26 19 22 Jaskulek Emma  1904 B1 2 27  23 Jaskulek Sophie  1920 F Sophie is not buried at Baxter. On 3/1/2019 with the help of the great staff at the Mayfield Road Cemetery, I found her grave within the Montefiore section of the cemetery. 28 21 27 Koblitz Moses  1885 A1 4 29 20 28 Koblitz Harry 1879 1914 A1 4 30  29 Koblitz Julia   A1 4 31 22 30 Koblitz Rachel   B2 Record of death lists burial at Jewish Cemetery. Unable to locate grave at Baxter 32  31 Coblitz/Koblitz Sadie 1892 1914 A1 4 33  34 Kraus Baby 1925 1925 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter  34 23 24 Kraus Edward   A1 6 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 17  Numbers on this List  # on Benesch List #  on JGSC list Last name First name Born Died  Group Based on listing Row number/ Additional info 35  25 Kraus  1884 1886 A1 4 36  26 Kraus  1891 1891 A1 4 37   Lederer Hermana 1889 1889 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 38   Lederer Jake 1884 1884 B1 39   Loewy Anne  1892 B1 40   Loewy Gustove  1892 B1 41 24  Testa Clifford   B1 Duplicate of 74 42 25 33 Metzel Jacob  1905 A1 4 43 26 34 Metzel Robert  1913 A1 4 44 x x Metzel Teressa   E 4 45 27 35 Metzel Ruth   A1 4 46 28 36 Mintz Adolph  1926 A1 3 47 29 37 Pasternak Sidney  1897 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 48   Pollack Ab  1925 A1 6 49 32 38 Pollack Ernst  1886 A1 4 50  39 Pollack Josephine  1908 A1 6 51 33 40 Pollak Ignatz 1864 1904 A1 6 52   Pollak Nathan  1900 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 53 34 40 Pollak Samuel   C Unable to locate grave and any information con-firming burial at Baxter 54   Pollak Solomon  1887 A1 6 55 30 42 Popowsky Adolph  1886 A1 2 56 31 43 Popowsky Anna 1884 1926 A1 2 57 35 44 Roubicek Bernard 1916 1886 A1 3 58 40 46 Schwartz Caroline 1908 1908 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 59 39 47 Schwartz Charles 1908 1908 B1 60  48 Schwartz Herman  1892 B1 61  49 Schwartz Marie 1870 1942 B1 62 38 50 Schwartz Sophie 1868 1908 A1 2 63 41 51 Schwartz W B   B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 64 42 52 Smolka Alois  1904 A1 2 65 43 53 Smolka Rosalie   A1 2 66 36 54 Sattler R.D.   A1 1 67 47 55 Stein Rudolph 1879 1898 A1 2 68 44 56 Steiner Carrie 1872 1908 A1 1 69 45 57 Steiner Edward  1894 A1 2 70 46 58 Steiner Gustav 1875 1907 A1 2 71  59 Steiner   1894 D  72  60 Steindler Rosa  1891 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 73 48 61 Steindler Sigmund 1858 1901 A1 2 74  62 Testa Clifford 1916 1917 A1 4 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 18  Numbers on this List  # on Benesch List #  on JGSC list Last name First name Born Died  Group Based on listing Row number/ Additional info 75 50 63 Weiner Florence 1900 1905 C Unable to locate grave and any information confirming burial at Baxter  76 49 64 Weiner Clarence 1900 1905 C 77  65 Weiner Leopold   B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 78 53 66 Weinfeld Heinrich 1884 1885 A1 1 79 52 67 Weinfeld Joseph 1885 1899 A1 2 80 51 68 Weinfeld Louis 1850 1927 A1 3 81 54 69 Weinfeld Rosa 1850 1902 A1 3 82  70 Wodicka Clarence   B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 83  71 Wodicka Ella 1888 1892 A1 3 84  72 Wodicka Katie  1909 A1 2 85 55 73 Wodicka Theresa  1919 A1 2 86   Wodicka Charles   E 1 87   Wodisky Emma  1864 B1 Record of death indicating burial at Baxter found, however unable to locate grave at Baxter 88   Comello Could be Comella Antonio   E 1 Death record indicates burial at Calvary Cemetery *Jewish, Bohemian Jewish  Bohemian Chebra Kadisha Temple Israel 2641 E. 40th 1883—1918                    Photo source: Cleveland Jewish Blue Book Published 1917, Cleveland, Ohio   The Bohemian Congregation incorporated August 12, 1884, by Simon Metzel, Markus Koblitz, Solomon Pollock, Louis Adler and Charles Lederer. Their new two-story synagogue was dedicated May 30th, 1884. Based on newspaper clippings from the Jewish Independent in 1916 the congregation had 80 members. An unofficial name change, to Temple Israel, occurred several years earlier. As membership declined the congregation disbanded in 1918. Many members became affiliated with The Euclid Avenue Temple. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 19  Harvard Road Cemetery Harvard Road Cemetery 5901 Harvard Road,  Cleveland Ohio 44105       The Jewish cemetery located at the 5900 block of Harvard Rd. was established in 1889 by Russian Israelites of Congregation Ohavei Emuna. The congregation, formed in 1882, was located at 85 Hill St. in an impoverished neighborhood known as Haymarket. By 1927, most of the streets within the district were replaced with freight terminals and rights-of-way for tracks leading into Terminal Tower. The congregation continued to grow and relocated east, merging in 1941 with Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Beth Israel (aka the Tacoma Avenue Temple), which then merged with The Heights Jewish Center in 1950. The first of two parcels of land were acquired on November 24, 1882, from Jacob Hege by A. Levy, President of Congregation Ohavei Emuna; M. Nussbaum, Vice President; M. Edelstein, 1st Trustee and L. Benjamin, 2nd Trustee. The second parcel was acquired on April 29, 1925, from the City of Cleveland in exchange for 150 feet of the rear portion of the first parcel.  The exchange of land was a result of improvements to Burke Brook extending through h the northern portion of the property. The congregation's trustees were Ike Miller, Louis Linsky, Max Wolf, and Simon Ma sh. The exchange of land extended the cemetery’s frontage on Harvard Ave. by 50 feet and extended north along the eastern boundary of the first parcel for 265 feet. The City offered the land as it was, just a small part of their twenty-acre Harvard Grove Cemetery just to the east and north. According to the Hopkins plat map published in 1921, a house once occupied the parcel. The date of construction   and demolition is unknown. In a recent interview, Thelma Miller recalls when her father and grandfather lived at Lansing Road Cemetery for many years and served as caretakers. In the r husband, Felix Marczak, lived in the house and served as the caretakers.  Harvard Road Cemetery looking north  Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 2012 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 20  In June 1993 and again in 1995, many headstones were toppled over by vandals. This led the Heights Jewish Center's leadership to reposition most of the stones flat on top of the grave. An effort was made to contact family members should they object and prefer to keep the monument upright. However, due to the limited ability to locate relatives, the majority of the monuments were placed on the ground. In 2009, with the financial support of several families in the Jewish Community, a new gate allowing space to park and lighting was installed. The property is by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.    .                                   Merger- Consolidation Documents Note: Spellings are as recorded with the Secretary of State at the time of Incorporation. Date Documents Doc. No. Ohio Sec. of State 11/16/1882 Incorporation A004 0023 2/25/1928 Second Incorporation A456  576 8/29/1941 Merger with Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Beth Israel C098 1444 12/04/1950 Merger with Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Beth Israel merged into Heights Jewish Center C219 1160 Deed Transfers relative to the Harvard Road Cemetery Dates Type Parcel Number Document Number Recorded 11/24/1882 Purchase 132-17-035 AFN 188221120014 Book 3280 page 510 4/24/1925 Sale 132-17-035     Portion sold and consolidated into  132 16 001 AFN 192504160096 Book 3209 page 494 4/29/1925 Purchase 132-17-036 AFN192504290160 Book 3280 page 510 The Blue box indicates the parcel purchased in 1880. The dotted red line indicates the portion of the Harvard Grove Cemetery acquired by the Ohavei Emuna Congregation in an exchange with the City of Cleveland in 1925 for the northern portion of the cemetery outlined in green This plat map, from Vol 1, published in 1921 by G. M. Hopkins shows the residence and shed of the caretaker in yellow at the south side of the property in the blue box outlining the parcel.  Headstones at the Harvard Rd. Cemetery were placed on top of the graves. Photo source, Jeffrey Morris, 2012  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 21   The Lansing Avenue Cemetery The Lansing Avenue Cemetery 5902 Lansing Avenue  (First known as Fremont St.)  Cleveland, Ohio 44105 (Access is at the southern end of E. 57th Street)    In 1881, the City of Cleveland acquired 50 acres of land just east of the cemetery to relocate some of the 3,000 graves in the Axtell Street cemetery (southeast of Aetna Road and Marble Avenue). This major undertaking was needed in order to expand the rail lines serving the steel industry. The new cemetery was named Harvard Grove, and it continues to have burials on a regular basis. Having a large, active cemetery in the neighborhood ensured that trollies served the area on a daily basis.                                Harvard Cemetery Shown above is the 1912 Hopkins plat map. The numbers shown are not Permanent Parcel Numbers. They are sub lot numbers. Sub lot numbers are designated by the landowner asking the County Recorder to issue Permanent Parcel Numbers so the smaller lots can have a legal description of their own for future sales. This can be confusing. For that reason, this is the only drawing/map in this document that shows the sub lot numbers.    Hopkins plat map published in 1888 indicating land formerly owned by the Hege Family from Fleet Ave south to Harvard in the Township of Newburg Lot 313. Cleveland’s Ward 18. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 22  Today we know this site as the Lansing Avenue Cemetery. Prior to 1906, the road was known as Freemont Street. However, in several death certificates issued in 1913 by D. H. Rothstein and George Groh, who individually conducted burials as part of their carriage business, the site was identified as the Ansel Road Cemetery. (See additional information on page 36 regarding the journey to locate the Ansel Road Cemetery.) Details of Each of the First Ten Parcels Purchased Knesseth Israel in 1886, then located on Woodland Avenue just south of the current home of the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavaliers, purchased two of the ten lots available on Lansing Avenue (then Fremont Street) for its cemetery. The ten lots, along with the right-of-way for Lansing Avenue, and the ten lots on the north side of the street consisted of 2.5 acres known as the Christine Leick Lot 4 Subdivision. Leick was the daughter of longtime Newburg Township resident Margaret Hege, and at that time, Leick was executor of her mother’s estate. Each of the lots were 31- or 32-feet fronting Lansing Avenue and were 135 feet deep. Within the next few years, other orthodox congregations needing burial space acquired the remaining 10 parcels fronting Lansing Ave. (See Table A.)                  In 1907, Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel, located at Woodland Avenue and E. 27th Street, purchased three parcels of land from the Hege estate. Those included the last of the initial ten parcels fronting Lansing (132 16 010) and two larger parcels, each being 2.5 acres, known as Lot 5 and Lot 6, to the south of the initial ten parcels. The two larger parcels at the time had no Permanent Parcel Number (PPN) assigned by the County Recorder and became part of the smaller parcel 132 16 010.  The smaller parcel (132 16 010) provided an access road to the larger parcels known as Lots 5 and 6  Table A: Initial Ten Parcels Some documents refer to these first tiers or rows Permanent Parcel Number Year of Purchase Initial Congregation to Purchase Land from  Hege and Leick Families  Current  Owner 13216002 1886 Knesseth Israel Taylor Road State of Ohio* 13216003 1886 Knesseth Israel Taylor Road State of Ohio* 13216004 1888 Chebra Barrch Chessed Taylor Road State of Ohio* 3216005 Front 1891 Chebra Agudath  Achim Taylor Road Synagogue 1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel Taylor Road Synagogue 3216005 South of Above 1920 Chebra Agudath Achim Taylor Road Synagogue 13216006 1896 Oheb Zedek of Newburg Township. Heights Jewish Center 3216007 1896 Oer Chodosh  Young Israel 13216008 Front 1897 Shaarei Thora Taylor Road Synagogue 13216008 South & West 1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel Taylor Road Synagogue 1920 Shaarei Thora Taylor Road Synagogue 13216009 1900 Hebrew Workers Sick Benefit Assoc. Kehillat Yaakov 1902 Sherith Jacob 13216010 1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel Heights Jewish Center 010 009 008 007 006   005 004 003 002 1912 G. M. Hopkins plat map identifying the ten lots. Three-digit numbers are the last three of each parcel number assigned by the County Recorder. What is a Permanent Parcel Number? In Cuyahoga County, the PPN is an eight-digit number that represents a parcel of land. It is assigned by the county official responsible for recording deeds. The first three digits of the number identify the book in which the parcel is located. There is a geographic logic to the process. For example, all of Beachwood is in 741 and 742. The second set is a two-digit number identifying the page number within the book. The last three digits identify the actual lot.  Remember these are not sub lot numbers. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 23   Second and Third Rows of Parcels and on Hege Street During the 1920s, Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel sold several portions of Lots 5 and 6 to congregations owning one of the initial ten parcels that needed more land or to congregations that had no burial ground at all for their members. The selling off of a portion of a parcel is commonly referred to as a “lot split.” The parcels created were 200 feet deep and equal to the width of the front parcels. The inconsistent methodology used by the County Recorder to assign PPNs adds to the complexity of determining ownership. For example, the front parcel 132 16 008 had been acquired by Shaarei Thora in 1897. In 1920, the congregation purchased a portion of Lot 5 from Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel; however, that parcel was not located directly south of the first. That parcel is located one parcel to the west and south of a parcel owned by Congregation Sherith Jacob. The County Recorder allowed this piece of land to be consolidated into the first parcel 132 16 008. The only physical connection is at the corner. If this type of transaction were to occur today, a second parcel number would be assigned. Note that 132 16 005 and 008 are not listed above as they are a part of the first row; that is, the initial ten lots listed  the previous page  Table B Additional Parcels Some documents refer to these second and third rows Permanent Parcel Number Year Acquired Initial Congregation to Purchase Land from Hege and Leick Families Current Owner  13216011 1922 First Maramaras Now known as  Green Road Synagogue Green Road Synagogue  13216012  1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel  1950 Beth Haknesseth Anshe Grodno Heights Jewish Center 13216013 1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel Taylor Road Synagogue unknown Chibas Jerusalem 13216014 1907 Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel  1918 Oer Chodosh Young Israel 13216015  Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel Shomre Shabbos 1919  Shomre Shabbos 13216030 1924 Beth Haknesseth Anshe Grodno Heights Jewish Center 13216031 1922 Beth Haknesseth Anshe Grodno Heights Jewish Center 13217009 1937 Mishkon Shilley A.K.A. Beth Hakneseth Anshe Grodno Heights Jewish Center      1921 G. M. Hopkins plat map identifying the ten lots. Three-digit numbers are the last three of each parcel number assigned by the County Recorder. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 24   The first of two lot splits took place in 1959 when a portion of 132 16 010 was sold by Heights Jewish Center, which was the successor through the merger with Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel to the First Maramaras B’nai Jacob Congregation, today known as the Green Road Synagogue. The new parcel is 132 16 044. The gray parcel shown below (right) is only 18 feet wide on the north end and tapers down to zero. One would assume that the odd shape allows for the appropriate amount of land needed to maintain the turn in the road. The second lot split occurred in 1986 when the Heights Jewish Center split a portion of the original lot fronting Lansing, also known as PPN 132 16 010. The new PPN 132 16 046 consisted of 18 of the 33 feet fronting Lansing; it was 148 feet deep and was sold to Congregation K’hal Yereim.                 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 25                                  Lot Spits from 132 16 010 New Parcels PPN Year Owner Prior to Lot Split  Sold To  13216044  1959  Heights Jewish Center  Marmaresher Jewish Center Now known as Green Road Synagogue 13216046 1986 Heights Jewish Center K’hal Yereim 1921 Hopkins Plat showing the two parcels split out from 132 16 010 Source: Cuyahoga County Archives The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 26  Below is a Closer View of the Lot Splits and Supportive Drawing for 132 16 046                        Shown below is a survey submitted to the City of Cleveland and the Cuyahoga County Recorder by The Heights Jewish Center indicating the lot split that established 132 16 046.        Aerial Photo from City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development’s Website, Oct. 8, 2013 The image on the left is not the Harvard Grove Cemetery as indicated on the drawing. Harvard Grove is the cemetery to the east owned by the City of Cleveland. Source: County Recorder/Map Room  132 16 044         123 16 046The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 27               About the Homes on the Initial Ten Parcels Several maps and documents show a home built in 1890 located in one of two lots at the eastern edge of the cemetery fronting Lansing Avenue. The County’s parcel card (A) shows a house on PPN 132 16 003. The map compiled by the Work Project Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s also shows a house on the parcel.  The 1912 G.M. Hopkins map indicates a house in the easternmost parcel 132 16 002. Both parcels were purchased in 1886 by Knesseth Israel. In 1891, the property was sold by the local sheriff to J.E. Latimer, a local business owner. The congregation regained ownership from Latimer in 1893. While the congregation continued until merging with Taylor Road Synagogue in 1955, the two parcels changed ownership to the State of Ohio. No deed transfer or official communication has been located to confirm the date when the State took control. There are some unofficial maps that show the date of 1910. Three other parcels on the property owned by the State show the same reference.    According to the counter Plat Book used by the City’s Engineering Department dated 1923 by aerial a house, a garage and a few sheds existed at 5716 Lansing, .on the parcel purchased in 1907 by Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel shown above.  Counter book used for public reference within the City of Cleveland’s Department of Engineering. Thought to be the 1923 Hopkins Plat map, showing property splits or consolidations as they occurred. The yellow boxes represent wooden structures on the lot. Information from the back of the County parcel card. Note: Old Couple is apparently the tenant of the home and cemetery caretaker for Knesseth Israel. 5716 5902 Home at 5716 Lansing Avenue occupied by the Miller family, who cared for the property from the 1900s to the 1960s. 5716 Lansing The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 28  Who might have lived in these houses and cared for those of a blessed memory?  The 1900 Census shows two homes on the cemetery property. The first was occupied by Claude Miller, age 34, born in Germany, and his wife Rose, age 27. Other occupants include their children: Minnie Miller, age 5; John Miller, age 2; and Edward Miller, 4 months; as well as Claude’s sister, Rosie Miller, age 17; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Steiner. Steiner’s occupation was listed as a laborer at the cemetery. Address was listed as Fremont Street Cemetery.   The 1910 Census has the same occupants and lists the address as 5902. The 1920 Census lists the following occupants at 5716: John Miller, Husband, age 20; and Wilma, Wife, age 19. John is listed as Sexton who works at a cemetery. Wilma’s occupation is listed as none. The census shows Claude, Rose, Edward and Minnie at 5902 Lansing. The front page of the April 29, 1929, Cleveland Plain Dealer indicates that vandalism had taken place at the cemetery. The damage was reported to the police by John Miller, residing at 5716 Lansing Road. Damage to headstones were estimated at $2,000.    The 1930 Census shows only one home, located at 5716 Lansing Avenue at the western end of the cemetery. Occupants are John Miller, 32; Wilma, 30; children: Isabelle, 8; Kenneth, 7; [unreadable name], 3; and [unreadable name], 1. John is listed as the caretaker at the cemetery. The 1940 Census shows only one house, 5716 Lansing, with occupants John, 42; Wilma, 40; Isabelle, 19; Kenneth, 17; [unreadable], 13; Gordon, 11; and Bruce, 1. No occupation is listed for John. An announcement appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on July 4, 1943, that Kenneth Miller residing at 5716 Lansing Road, age 20, would be marrying Anna Pilca, age 21, of 5633 Pershing Ave. In a recent interview with Thelma Miller, daughter of Bruce and granddaughter of John, she fondly remembers her grandfather and other family members helping when graves needed to be dug by hand, much like her great-grandfather Claud had done. While she does not recall when the house on Lansing Avenue and the barn in the rear were demolished, she thought it was some time after the new house was built just inside the E. 57th Street gate, that being circa 1962.  Drawing compiled in 1938 by the WPA of the northern portion of the Lansing Cemetery showing the two homes fronting Lansing. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives.  House and garage at the E. 57th Street gate that were thought to be built in 1962. House was demolished in 2015. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, Spring 2015. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 29  Primary sources, official minutes and documents recorded by the county or state are limited. Documents known as the Cleveland Jewish Cemetery Associations Collection that were donated to the Western Reserve Historical Society by Louis J. Clay in 2009 provide a constant timeline between 1955 and 2008 of the fifty-plus years of meetings. Those documents indicate a lack of funding and unwillingness to maintain the cemetery as it should have been. At times the Lansing cemetery association operated without officially being incorporated, and at times it was considered by the state of Ohio to be noncompliant. Throughout this time period, the Cleveland Jewish Federation—known today as the Jewish Federation of Cleveland—would step in and assist with funds on an ad hoc basis. The Cleveland Jewish Federation made many attempts to assist the congregations in reaching an agreement. One factor that contributed to the lack cooperation between the congregations started in the late 1940s through the early 1980s when several of the congregations within the cemetery merged with other congregations. While some merger agreements provide extensive details on the rules and financial support for the cemetery parcel, others made no mention whatsoever of the cemetery. The latter scenario created what is known as a “cloud” over a deed’s ability to be transferred.  In 2016 after several years of negotiations and guidance to ensure success, The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Cemetery commission obtained the day to day-to-day management of the cemetery. The following year a fund-raising campaign took place to support the finical needs of the cemetery.          Photos taken in the spring of 2008 when the cemetery was in a state of neglect. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris.   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 30  Illustration below shows congregational ownership within the Lansing Street Cemetery as a percentage of the total land.4                                                  4 Does not include the two lots that make up the Harvard Road Cemetery The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 31  The table is a list of parcels within the Lansing Cemetery   Parcel ID   Per County Record Owner based on current records of Cuyahoga County Sq. feet % of total            13216002   OHIO STATE OF Kennesth Israel See note A Taylor Rd 4650 0.0114 13216003   OHIO STATE OF Kennesth Israel See note A Taylor Rd 4650 0.0114 13216004   OHIO STATE OF Baruch Chebra See note A Taylor Rd 4650 0.0114 13216005   CONGREGATION CHEBRA AGUDATH Taylor Rd 10780 0.0265 13216006   Church Oheb Zedek  See note B Heights Jewish Center  4598 0.0113 13216007   OHIO STATE OF Oer Chododsh See note A Oer Chodosh 4598 0.0113 13216008   CONGREGATION SHAR THORE Taylor Rd 10780 0.0265 13216009   SHEERITH JACOB & CONGREGATNL Kehillat Yaakov (Cedar Road) 9300 0.0229 13216010   BETH HEMIDRASH HAGODOL Heights Jewish Center 182081 0.4480 13216011   1STMARMARS BENE JACOB VERIN Green Road 6130 0.0151 13216012   CONGREGATION ANSE GRODNO  Heights Jewish Center 6200 0.0153 13216013   CHIBAS JERNSHOLAYM See note C Taylor Rd 6200 0.0153 13216014   CONGRGATION GODOSH BETH Oer Chodosh 6200 0.0153 13216015   CONGR.SHOMRETH SABBATH Shomre Shabath 6200 0.0153 13216030   Heights Jewish Center  See note D Heights Jewish Center 3505 0.0086 13216031   CONGRGATION HTS JEWISH CTR Heights Jewish Center 123275 0.3033 13216044   MARMARESHER JEWISH CENTER Green Road 3230 0.0079 13216046  K’HAL YEREIM See note D K’hal Yereim 2000 0.0049 13217009   CONGRGATION HTS JEWISH CTR Heights Jewish Center  7371 0.0181       Total 406398 1.000 Above spelling is per the recorded document within the office of the County Recorder.  A. According to the recording department within the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office (formerly known as the County Recorder’s Office), the documents transferring these four parcels to the State of Ohio could not be found.  The only entry found on the ledger sheet of the plat book shows a date transferred to be TS 10. It is thought by the staff within the Map Room where deeds are recorded that this was a transfer by the Sheriff to the State as taxes were owned, and the property could not be sold at a sheriff’s sale due to its usage.                      Above photo shows Book 132-page 16 maintained by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Offices – Map Room The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 32  B. Non primary sources indicate that an agreement was entered into in 1976 by Heights Jewish Center (HJC) to obtain and control the property; however, Cuyahoga County indicates ownership as belonging to Church Oheb Zedek. C. No deed transfer can be found from Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel to Congregation Chibas Jerusalem (the correct spelling). D. The parcel 132 16 046 was created by the county in 1986 at the request of the owner HJC as part of its sale of the newly created parcel to Congregation Khal Yereim, as defined in the deed recorded in Vol. 86-2797-Page 27 on May 19, 1986. The new parcel is 18 feet fronting Lansing and 148.35 feet deep. This is a very small portion of parcel number 132 16 010.  As required a survey of the land establishing the boundaries was completed by the civil engineering firm of McSteen & Associates Inc. and was included with the deed transfer. The survey details the correct description of the parcel.  There is a discrepancy often known as a “cloud” on this deed. This is often corrected by submitting supporting documents explaining the need for correction, often with a quitclaim deed.   The deed transfer states that the new parcel was exempt from taxation under Permanent Parcel Number 132 16 030.  This raises the question of why 132-16-030 is mentioned in the deed, unless having ownership of one parcel in a cemetery allows the status of tax-exemption to be used for other parcels within the same cemetery. However, prior to the transfer date of May 19, 1986, parcel 132 16 030 was owned by HJC.  HJC acquired the land 132-16-030 when a merger with Beth Haknesseth Anshe Grodno occurred in 1947. The merger was recorded by the State of Ohio, A365_1475. The deed transfer to HJC did not take place until January 2, 1951, as recorded in Vol. 7208 on Page 392, shown above.  The deed establishing the parcel 132 16 046 and the sale to Congregation Khal Yereim makes no other mention of parcel 132 16 030.  There is no record of HJC transferring the property to Khal Yereim. Review of the plat book located within the County’s Fiscal Office (formerly known as the County Recorder’s Office) Map Room shows HJC as the owner of 132 16 030. Inconsistencies in the records maintained by the county are shown below. Screen print of Cuyahoga County GIS website 12/18/2013. Indicates property 132 16 046 having no owner (D1) and 132 16 030 being owned by Heights Jewish Center (D2).     The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 33  To the left is a screen print of Cuyahoga County Auditor’s website of 132 16 030. This record shows that ownership belongs to the Heights Jewish Center and lists its mailing address as Congregation K Yereim on S. Taylor Road(D3).Source: https://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us/ 13216030  The screen print (D4), is a copy of Map book number 132, Page number 16, line number 046, taken Nov. 8, 2013, and it shows Congregation Khal Yereim as the owner. Source: Cuyahoga County fiscal office, Map Room     An additional cloud that appears is the deed establishing the new parcel for Khal Yisrol, 132 16 046. Volume 86-2797-Page 27 is the description. While the location shown document filed when recorded is correct, the description in the deed has the east-to-west measurement along the north boundary parcel to Lansing reversed. See below.                  Book 86-2797-Page 27  Source: Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office website   D3 D4 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 34  Above photo shows current edition of Book 132-page 16 maintained by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Offices – Map Room The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 35  Plat map maintained by the Cuyahoga County Map Room shown below Permanent Parcel Numbers and  Subdivision Numbers. Throughout this document little mention is made as to the Sub lot numbers.  These are numbers assigned by the landowner when subdividing a larger parcel. For example, sub lot 20 was assigned by the County Recorder’s Office as 132-16 002 (parcel 132 for the book, 16 for the page, and 002 for the line on the page). Do not be confused. Source of plat below: Cuyahoga County Fiscal office, Map Room.                               Above photo shows prior edition of Book 132-page 16 maintained by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Offices – Map Room   Note:  Do not be confused A developer’s sub lot number is not a permanent parcel number. (PPN).  Developer’s sub lot numbers 1 to 10 are not shown on this map.  They are lots on the north side of Lansing. The numbers in the ovals are the PPNs for this page assigned by the county. Number 46 was added to the map when the parcel was split from 132 16 010.                Developers Sub Lot number  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 36  The Ansel Road Cemetery Is Not on Ansel Road One would think the Ansel Road Cemetery would be on Ansel Road. In the early months of 2013, Rabbi Akiva Feinstein asked for assistance finding the grave of a two-year-old girl who, according to her death certificate, had been interred at the Ansel Road cemetery. The quest to find the grave was made by an aging man in his 80s who had little information about his sister who had died in 1913. When the Rabbi calls upon you for help, you help, with honor and respect.  Rabbi Feinstein located the birth certificate using the “Find-a-Grave” website, along with several others within the same time frame listing the Ansel Road Cemetery as the place of interment. We reviewed numerous plat maps of Ansel Road dating back as far as 1881.  Rabbi Feinstein perused Ansel Road, with a lead to look in the area adjacent to the former Saint Mary’s Seminary at 1227 Ansel Road and East 105th Street, along with the possibility of the Township cemetery on East 105th Street north of Euclid Avenue. However, there was no indication that the land adjacent to the seminary had been used as a cemetery, and the graves once located on East 105th Street were relocated to East Cleveland in 1880.  After talking with several historians, we were confident that a cemetery never had existed on Ansel Road.    At the same time, Rabbi Feinstein noticed a pattern when using Ancestory.com of several Orthodox immigrants from Russia having death certificates that were signed by D. H. Rothstein as the undertaker and that listed the place of burial as the Ansel Road Cemetery. The death certificate of the two-year-old lists George Groh as the undertaker. He was not Jewish. One must assume that Rothstein was unavailable at the time of the child’s death and that Groh was his backup. Rothstein’s home and barn were located at 2250 E. 37th Street. It should be noted that conducting funerals was not Rothstein’s primary source of income. He was in what was then known as the cartage business, meaning that he operated a local trucking company. His son Sidney obtained a license as an undertaker in 1917 and later worked in Cincinnati.  We turned next to the City of Cleveland’s Department of Vital Statistics. Our intent was to search through the records to see whether other certificates in this time frame listed the Ansel Road Cemetery as a place of interment. However, records from 1913 were not available. We eliminated the cemeteries that would have been used by Russian immigrants who were not financially secure. Those would have been Shel Emeth on Ridge Road, Baxter or Lansing Avenue. Baxter was also eliminated after a five-minute walk of the urban cemetery. The online database maintained by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and knowledge of Chesed Shel Emeth chronical layout led us to focus on Lansing. It should be noted that when the property on Lansing Avenue was acquired in 1886, the name of the road was Fremont. The change to Lansing Avenue occurred in 1906, along with many other changes to street names. However, the name Fremont would be found on death certificates well into the 1920s. An additional reason to look at the Lansing Avenue Cemetery was Rothstein’s involvement with it, as he was a longtime board member of Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Beth Israel, a majority owner of the Lansing Avenue Cemetery.   We then provided those names to Janet Ghiandoni, a board member of the Taylor Road Synagogue and keeper of its cemetery’s database of its section at the Lansing Avenue Cemetery. Janet found several matches. The next step was to visit the cemetery. We confirmed that the graves indicating Ansel Road cemetery as the place of interment were actually located at the Lansing Avenue Cemetery. They are in the northern section of the Oer Chodosh section. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the grave of the young child. Our efforts continue.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 37  Below are examples of two graves where the death certificate lists the Ansel Road cemetery as the place of interment, but the graves are actually located at the Lansing Avenue Cemetery:                       Source: Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953," database with images, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8H4-Y7X : 8 March 2021), Mollie Hershman, 26 Jan 1913; citing Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, reference 6379; FHL microfilm 1,953,598.     "Ohio Death Index, 1908-1932, 1938-1944, and 1958-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKY9-WDF: 30 June 2021), Isador Harzon, 1912.      The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 38  Mayfield Cemetery Mayfield Cemetery  2749 Mayfield Road Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106 (216) 321-1733  The Mayfield Cemetery, the first Jewish Cemetery in Cleveland to be designed in a garden style, was established in August of 1887 when Jacob Mendelson purchased 20.6 acres just east of Lakeview Cemetery from Sara and Daniel Doty. Mendelson was a member of The Temple-Tifereth Israel and was an active participant in many of Cleveland’s Jewish organizations, including Montefiore.  In 1890 Anshe Emeth (Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple) became an equal partner in the new cemetery. The two congregations then formed United Jewish Cemeteries Inc., to operate both the new Mayfield Cemetery and the Willett Street Cemetery. Effective July 1st of 2024 the two congregations have become on and known as Mishkan Or.   The beauty of Mayfield Cemetery was due to the vision of two well-known landscape engineers, William Evers and John Cully. The park-like setting was designed to be a tranquil space that would include areas for trees to mature, space for family monuments to be erected, and plenty of room for family mausoleums. It should be noted that as the most recent sections have been established, Evers’ original design continues to be followed with little modification. The only structure to exist when the land was purchased is thought to be a wooden building that was used as the caretaker’s residence until it burned to the ground in October of 1899. A new structure to serve as the residence and office of the caretaker, shown in the photo was quickly built on the existing foundation under the direction of local architects Israel Lehman and Theodore Schmidt. This was the same firm that in 1886 would design the new Anshe Chesed at Scoville Avenue and E. 25th Street, and again in 1912 at 82nd Street and Euclid Avenue. Lehman and Schmidt would also design the Temple-Tifereth Israel’s new building at E. 55th Street and Central Avenue in 1894.    The above plat map published in 1892 by Chicago based George Cram Co. shows the location of the cemetery. While a respectable 20 acres, the map shows the sprawling 285 acres of Lakeview Cemetery established in 1869. The dotted black line shows the location of Coventry Road extending from Mayfield Road north to Superior. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 2021 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 39  The first new structure at the cemetery was a chapel completed in 1892, also designed by Lehman and Schmidt. It was located on the circle, now known as section O. According to an article published in the Plain Dealer on May 3, 1892:  The building is fifty feet in diameter, octagonal in shape, with a dome slate roof and will be furnished with large cathedral glass windows…. The front entrance opens into the chapel proper while a flight of stone steps from the rear lead down to a receiving vault. The first sections of the cemetery to be developed were Sections 3 and 4 along with a portion of Section 2 for the exclusive use of The Montefiore Kosher Shel Barzel Home for the Aged, now a part of Menorah Park. The 101 graves are anchored with a 35-foot monument.   Records indicate that between 1907 and 1910, several of those originally buried at the Willet Street Cemetery were moved to the Mayfield Cemetery. They include Simpson Thorman, Cleveland’s first permanent Jewish settler. Simpson was born in 1811 in Unsleben, Bavaria. He traveled through Cleveland in 1832 and returned to settle in the city in 1837, where he built a successful hide and fur business. With Simpson’s encouragement, 15 settlers from Bavaria joined him in 1839.  That first group of Jews to permanently settle would, along with Simpson, contribute to the growth of Cleveland. Simpson became a founding member of the city’s first Jewish congregation (Israelitic Society) as well as the first person of the Jewish faith to serve on and become president of Cleveland’s City Council.    While no photo of the chapel can be found, the drawing to the right dated July 1894 by Civil Engineer John Cully shows the location of the Chapel in the circle today known as section “O”. Drawing source: provided by the Mayfield Cemetery. The Montefiore monument to the left located in section 2 is a tribute to the former residents of what was first known as the Home for the Infirmed Israelites. Built in 1899, the monument is surrounded by 101 graves.  The graves of Mr. Thorman and several family members can be found at the southern portion of Section 4. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 40  As early as 1920, the cemetery’s popularity grew beyond expectations and resulted in the need for the Board of Governors to look at their options to purchase adjacent land. The only available land was 17 acres to the north, then owned by Cleveland industrialist John D. Rockefeller. The parcel would extend the cemetery north through to Superior Ave. However, after several attempts over more than a decade, it became apparent that the owner was not ready to sell the property.   Thus in 1928 with no additional land being available, the board made a difficult decision to limit future sales of graves to members of the two congregations, with the understanding that burial rights would continue for those families who had previously purchased graves. That same year, the decision was made to build a mausoleum designed by Chicago-based Lovell and Lovell and local architect Charles Coleman.             The stunning mausoleum was built in the popular Byzantine style with stone from Alabama and Tennessee.The location of the mausoleum at the northwest corner of the cemetery at a 45-degree angle allows for the maximum amount of light to brighten the chapel through stained glass windows, enhancing the marble walls and bronze doors. The chapel floor and balcony include private family rooms along with 88 niches and 724 crypts.  View of the chapel from the second-floor balcony. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris October 2021.  Lovell & Lovell's 1928 conceptual drawing of the mausoleum inclues the wings to be added at a later date. Source: The Mayfield Cemetery. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 41  The older chapel in the circle is thought to have been demolished circa the 1940s. Construction of the maintenance shop was undertaken using large stones similar to those used for the construction of the caretaker’s home. In 1949, an office and locker room were added to the southern end of the shop, and an additional bay was added to the northern portion in 1967.  The first family mausoleum at the cemetery was built for the Moses Hayes family in 1905. Today there are 13 family mausoleums along the western property line and three at the northern portion of Section 11.  In 1965, several residential lots facing Mayfield Road on the eastern border of the cemetery were purchased from Nathan & Rose Leiser. County records indicate a building was used for auto repair and later it became a vacuum repair shop. It is unknown when the building was demolished. In 1987, the easternmost lot was sold in order to allow the service station located on the corner of Mayfield and Coventry to expand its ability to serve the community.      By 1970, the mausoleum’s space was nearing capacity, resulting in the addition of the two wings proposed in Lovell and Lovell’s original design. The addition would include 543 additional crypts and 60 niches. Due to an error in the material used, the outer walls of the two wings were replaced in 2000 with granite from Carrera, Italy, ensuring that the structure would continue as a perpetual sanctuary. In addition, a new section known as “MC” was developed just west of the mausoleum exclusively for the outdoor burial of cremations in graves measuring two feet by two feet, with flush-to-the-ground grave markers.   In 1982, Section 11 was prepared for its first burials. This section at the northeast end of the cemetery provides an abundance of shade, and today has limited lots available. Because the interest in burial plots near the entrance and in Section 11 was reaching capacity, Section 2 was opened in 2011 with a walkway through the center and the graves offset to the road by 30 degrees, providing a contemporary layout that complements the balance with the older sections.   View of some of the family mausoleums along the western side of the cemetery. The mausoleums along with many family monuments within the cemetery are those of industrialists who helped build Cleveland, once the fastest-growing city between New York and Chicago. Photo source: provided by the Mayfield Cemetery. The gateway to Section 2 just north of the entrance to the cemetery. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, October 2021. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 42  In December of 2021, the last section, Section 14, opened, providing an additional 580 graves. This section is located just east of the Mausoleum and provides a slightly elevated view of the cemetery. In order to maximize the use of the land without affecting the high standards of the cemetery, an additional parcel of land measuring 100 feet deep by 436 feet wide was acquired in 1991 from Lakeview Cemetery. This addition brings the cemetery’s total acreage to 22.5. As of June 30, 2023, the number of burials reached 12,411.                       Data and Map source:              Mayfield Cemetery,                    Section Year4 18903 1892Montefiore 18955 19026 191012 19188 191910 19279 19281 1948Circle "O" 19527 19542 197611 1982MC 198314 2021Year that the first burial occurred in each sectionThe above year is based on when a burial,or the relocation of remains from aprevious location occured in that sectionThe History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 43  Glenville Cemetery Glenville Cemetery 13009 Shaw Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44108  Often known as the Glenville or Shaw Avenue Cemetery this well-maintained property consists of three parcels totaling just over 5 acres. The initial parcel (A) was acquired in 1884 from Leopold Berger and consisted of 2 acres of land. Berger purchased the parcel from Henry Wise in November of 1880. An additional parcel, (B) consisting of 5 acres to the west were acquired in May of 1899 from Bernard Schlesinger. A third parcel (C) consisting of 4 acres was acquired from J.G.W Cowels to the north of the 5 acre parcel fronting St. Clair Ave. in October of 1906.  An additional small parcel known as Arendt Ct. separating the two parcels, also owned by J. Cowels was acquired in December 1906.        The purchase of additional land in 1906 appears to have been the result of Cleveland’s growth, specifically the need for a rail line to move freight in and out of the growing industrial areas beyond the center of the city (see above map) While many routes were discussed, it became clear that the original 2 acres purchased in 1884(A) were within the right-of-way for the tracks. In 1906 under an agreement, approved by the court the Short Line Railroad paid to relocate the graves within the train route west to the 5-acre parcel purchased in 1899 (B). An article in the Plain Dealer dated January 18th, 1907, reported: “The work of removing the bodies from the Glenville Jewish cemetery to make way for the tracks of the Belt Line has been nearly completed. Most of the cemetery, which is owned by the new Jewish temple located at the corner of Scovill Avenue S. E. and E. 55th Street was purchased by the Belt Line concern. The railroad company provided for the removal of nearly 500 bodies to a site adjoining the untouched part of the burying ground, on Penobscot Ave. Eighteen cement vaults weighing from one to three tons a piece had to be transported to the new ground. The grading of the plots will be completed within a few days.” Although the land was cleared with all due speed five years the line was not open traffic until 1912.  In November of 1913, the 4 acres purchased from Cowels in 1908 that fronted St. Clair Ave.  (C) was sold to William Hopkins, a major stockholder of the Beltline. Hopkins, would later serve as City Manager of Cleveland.  The above base map maintained in the Allen County Library collection of the New York Central Railroad’s rights-of-way Vol 2.05 pg. 3. Toledo, Collinwood Div.  dated 6/13/1917 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 44  In April of 1916 the rail line sold a narrow parcel (D) of the original 2 acres parcel to the Cleveland Supply and Fuel Company. The congregation re-acquired the small parcel through a foreclosure sale conducted by the County Sheriff on behalf of the Cleveland Trust Bank in August of 1948. It should be noted that the small parcel along with an additional narrow parcel (E) are in the city of East Cleveland.  The first gravestone found is there belongs to Mina Ripner with the date of February 11th of 1882. Based on that date, the burial took place prior to the land being a part of the congregation. However, knowing that the practices of filing documents including deed transfers in the 1880’s was, at times, not always a priority for benevolent and religious organizations as they are today. It is likely that while officially owned by Berger in 1882, the use of the land as a Cemetery was acceptable.   .  Ownership & Deed Transfers   Date Purchased from Name on Deed  at time of purchase Notes Book & Page Cuyahoga County Fiscal Recorder 1 9/1/1884 Leopold Berger Hungarian Congregational Bne Yesurun Purchase of 2 acres. East Cleveland  373/1 2 5/29/1899 Bernard Schlesinger Hungarian Benevolent & Social Purchase of 5 acres City of Cleveland Parcel Number 111-14-012 715/480 3 10/20/1906 J Cowles Hungarian Benevolent & Social Union Purchase of 4 acres north of above parcel, fronting St. Clair. 1060/270 4 10/20/1906 Hungarian Benevolent & Social Hungarian Cong. Benevolent & Social Union Deed transfer clarifying name change to Hungarian Congregation Bene Jeshurun 1036/343 5 11/3/1906 J. Cowles   Hungarian Congregation Ben Jeschurun Consent for usage as a Cemetery. 996/624 6 12/4/1906 Leopold Berger Hungarian Congregation Bne Yesburm Removal of deed restriction to allow rail line to be placed on parcel. Original sale limited use to a Cemetery  1050/93 7 12/4/1906 Hungarian Congregation Bne Yeshurun Cleveland Short Line Railroad Agreement to sale of the cemetery to Rail Line  This sale established Parcel 671 02 039 1050/94 8 12/6/1906 J Cowles Hungarian Congregation Bene Jeshurun  Sale of small portion to the north of the five acres of land including Arden Ct. 1050/106 9 12/5/1912 Hungarian Congregation Bene Jeshurun Belt & Terminal Realty Co. Established Parcel Number 671-02-038 1431/579 10 2/10/1913 Hungarian Congregation Bene Jeshurun Cleveland Short Line Railroad  1454/10 11 11/24/1913 Hungarian Benevolent & Social Union William Hopkins Sale of 4 acres north of above parcel, fronting St. Clair. Parcel Number111 13 001 1532/210 12 8/9/1948 County Sheriff/Auditor Due to forfeited land sale Hungarian Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Sheriff sale of 671-02-039 sold to Short line in 1906 6620/260       Spelling of organization’s are as listed on deed at the time of transfer. The graves on the souther edge of the cemetery that were relocated in 1906 to make way for the rail line. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, 2020 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 45  The Chapel and the Caretaker’s House Details of the chapel are at best limited. The first mention of the structure was found in the September 15th, 1911 in the Jewish Review and Observer. The article states “that funds are being raised by the Ladies of the Temple who are untiring in their efforts, for which they deserve much credit. Plans for the construction of the edifice have been submitted and accepted. The chapel will be most modern in its equipment.” The article includes the drawing shown to the left. A follow up article appeared in the August 30th, 1912, issue of the Jewish Review and Observer indicated that the dedication of the Chapel took on the prior Sunday with over 500 in attendance. Records maintained by the City of Cleveland indicate the structure was demolished in February of 1955. The above photo was taken by the City of Cleveland Zoning Appeals Department in 1960 when the Congregation requested a permit to demolish the above older farmhouse then occupied by the Caretaker. The structure thought to have been built in the late 1890’s was replaced by the building shown below, taken in 1962 by the Cuyahoga County Recorder was part of a multi-year inventory of all residential sites conducted that year.  Limited information about the Caretaker(s) who lived in the home could be found. The Plain Dealer dated July 2, 1913, makes mention of Mrs. Henry Matke, a caretaker of the cemetery assisting in an investigation of a police matter. The Plain Dealer reported July 6th 1941 that Betty Szarka of 13009 Shaw Ave was involved in a social event and in the February 12th 1905 edition of the paper an announcement that Margaret A. Szarka daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Szarka of the same address was recently married in Mexico City. A current longtime employee of B'nai Jeshurun, Austin Belle lived in the home with his parents who for many years served as the caretaker. Today the home is occupied; however, the well-maintained property is like most cemeteries without 24-hour onsite staff.   The above Sanborn plat map dated 1925, and revised without reference to the dates of revision shown above indicates the location of the Chapel. Take note that a wooden structure is shown in yellow, and those built using brick and or block are shown in pink.  Source: City of Cleveland Landmark Commission Photo to the left taken circa 1962 by the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives.  Above photo, taken by the City of Cleveland, Board of zoning appeals. Source Cleveland Board of zoning appeal records held by the landmark commission. City of Cleveland. Dated July 1960.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 46  Glenville Cemetery Additional information  Route of the Belt Line in blue. Source is Railsandtrails.com published by Titchenal.com  1881 A. H. Mueller Plat Map. Note road name is Gravel. This plat shows the initial location of the Cemetery, prior to the rail line acquiring the land in 1906. 1912 Hopkins Plat Map Vol 1 Pg. 37. Note the 4-acre parcel in the top half of the map. This parcel fronts St. Clair and was acquired in 1906 and sold to William Hopkins in 1913. 1922 Hopkins Plat Map Vol 1 Pg. 25 Note the location of the Chapel and former house and barn. Also shown is the Foote-Burt complex built on former cemetery land fronting St. Clair. Shaw Avenue was first known as Gravel Road as shown in the 1881 A.H. Mueller Plat, for a short period of time, circa 1900 the road was known as Penobscot. The current name started to appear after 1906 when the City of Cleveland established a uniform address and street numbering system.  See City of Cleveland Ordinance No. 47575A passed 1/3/1905  Shaw Ave The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 47  Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery  Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery  Also known as Ridge Road No. 1  3740 Ridge Road Brooklyn, Ohio 44144  According to an article found in The Jewish Review and Observer, dated September 2, 1904, Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery Association held its first official meeting several days earlier at Sherith Jacob Synagogue located at the northeast corner of Orange and East 25th Street. City Solicitor Newton D. Baker served as the temporary chairman of the event, with over 300 in attendance. Baker would later serve as Mayor of Cleveland and then as Secretary of War under Woodrow Wilson. The article goes on to explain that the English translation of Chesed Shel Emeth is an “act of kindness.”  This form of charity is considered more worthy than any other, as the person being buried cannot extend a thank you or reciprocate.              The plat map to the left, published by G.M. Hopkins in 1914, shows the first parcel of land acquired by the cemetery association in 1905. The yellow boxes indicate wooden structures, including the home shown in the above photo. The plat map also shows the first portion of the roadways placed at the entrance adjacent to the house. Note: The name of Ridge Road on the map is Shunpike. The word “Shunpike” refers to an alternative route to travel in order to avoid or “shun” the toll road. For a period of time, the road was also known as West 73rd Street.    Former home of the Caretaker. Photo taken in taken in 1959 by the County Recorder; Source Cuyahoga County Archives Source: Ohio Secretary of State The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 48  The first and largest parcel of the cemetery, consisting of 4.54 acres, was acquired from John Lear in November of 1905. Additional parcels were added as shown below.           The above map was produced with section numbers in the mid-1940s by the WPA. The WPA or Works Progress Administration was established by executive order in 1935 as one of many efforts to lift the country out of the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression that began in 1929. One such project to come about as a result of the WPA providing employment for engineers included the surveying of cemeteries throughout the country. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives.    Date  Purchased from Volume and Page, County’s fiscal office A 1/14/1905 John Lehr V958   P86 B 6/26/1923 D. Vallance V2803 P497 C1 5/7/1923 Frank Bailey V2801  P11 C2 6/26/1923 Frank Bailey V2802 P498 D 11/25/1929 Anna Bailey V3980  P41  Note: This map produced by the WPA circa 1940 shows a road from Clinton Rd south into the cemetery. The only sign of this road is the gate, which is no longer used. Source: Cuyahoga County Web site May 21, 2017  http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 49  As you enter the cemetery, there is a defined section with distinguished monuments to both Isaac and George Laufman and several other members of their family. Isaac and George understood the need to establish a cemetery for those without the funds for a proper burial. Isaac arrived in the United States from Germany and for many years owned a tavern on Orange Avenue, then the center of Cleveland’s Jewish community. George was one of the first Singer Sewing Machine salesmen in Northeast Ohio, and one of the founders of the Hebrew Orthodox Old Age Home–Moshave Sekenim, now known as Menorah Park Center for Aging.           Star of David with an “L” in the center hangs on the chains that define the Laufman Family section.   Toward the middle of the cemetery is the Menorah Park section. Many of the tombstones are made of sandstone, a popular material used for gravestones until the 1930s when  it became apparent that  harsh winds erode the sandstone, diminishing readability.       Photo, above left, shows the graves of former residence of the Hebrew Orthodox Old Age Home, Bet Moshav Zekenim. The name was changed to Menorah Parkin 1968 when the home moved to Beachwood in 1968.  In December of 2023 the Home and its subsidiaries were sold to a for profit company.  Today The sign, shown at right, and arborvitaes were removed in 2021. The sign has been placed in storageThe History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 50    No documents can be found to clarify why four men were buried at the northern end of the cemetery between August 1837 and August 1938.  Through an extensive search of local newspapers, including The Jewish Review and Observer, The Jewish Independent, and the Plain Dealer, along with numerous databases, descendants of two of the four men were located. The only factor the four men had in common was a circumstance similar to many buried during the same time period: they were poor. One could hypothesize that this unused portion of the cemetery had increased in value as the then Village of Brooklyn was in its infancy of growing. With one or more graves on the property, the desire by some to sell that portion would be reduced. However, no records could be found to support this theory. Section 11- Congregation Zichron Chaim While no deed is recorded delineating or subdividing this portion of the cemetery to Zichron Chaim (incorporated in September 1986), there is an understanding between the congregation and the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery Assocation establishing this section toward the southwest corner of the property for their use. Maintaining the cemetery with limited funds Articles can be found in The Jewish Review and Observer as early as 1917 indicating that the upkeep of the cemetery grounds was inconsistent. This would be an ongoing issue until 1992, when the Jewish Federation of Cleveland established a commission to review the long-term needs of maintaining the cemetery. Subsequently, in 1994, an endowment fund was created to provide funds to maintain the basic needs of cemetery. At the same time the underfunded Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery Association turned over the management of the grounds to the Federation’s Cemetery Commission and retained the responsibilities for religious oversight to ensure that burial processes were followed as required in its charter.  Photos source on this page: Jeffrey Morris, May 2018.         The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 51  Oheb Zedek Taylor Road Cemetery  Oheb Zedek Taylor Road Cemetery Also known as Ridge Road 2 3824 Ridge Road Brooklyn, Ohio 44144  Congregation Oheb Zedek acquired 8.98 acres of land from Paul Allan on April 17, 1907. The Hopkins map shown below indicates that a house and possibly a barn or shed stood on the property. The dates these buildings were constructed and demolished are unknown.  Over time, portions of the property were sold to other Orthodox congregations. The first sale was three quarters of an acre on the northern portion of the property in January 1911 to the Galicia Cemetery Association. It was ostensibly an auxiliary of Beth Hamedrosh Anshe Galicia Congregation formed in 1903 by immigrants from the Province of Galicia, once a part of the Austrian–Hungarian Empire. (In 1950, the congregation changed its name to The Sinai Synagogue.) The parcel was sold in October of 1920 to the Tetiever Congregation, and then relocated to East 40th Street just north of Woodland Avenue. For many years, the Tetiever Congregation was also known as the Warrensville Center Synagogue. In 1990, the name was changed to Kehillat Yaakov. Today, it is officially known as Oheb Zedek-Cedar Sinai Synagogue.  The next section sold by Oheb Zedek consisted of one acre of land that became the property of Agudath Bnai Israel, a congregation formed in 1891 by Romanian immigrants. This parcel is west of the parcel sold by Oheb Zedek in 1920 to the Galician Congregation. The one-acre parcel is identified as 431-13-018. In January 1924, Agudath sold the western half of its property to the Romanian American Hebrew Sick Benefit Association. A stipulation in the deed provided an easement for access to any current or future parcels adjacent to the parcel within the cemetery. The Hebrew Sick Benefit Association transferred ownership in February 1927 to the American Benevolent Association.   Hopkins Plat Map published in 1914 showing the cemetery along with the parcel (section) acquired by Galicia Cemetery Association. Source: Cleveland Public Library Map Collection. Photo of the gate to the American Hebrew Benevolent Socierty section at the rear of the cemetery.  Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, May 2015. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 52                In February 1924, Oheb Zedek sold one acre located at the southwest corner of the cemetery, recorded as PPN 431-13-020, to the Tetiever Congregation. In February of 1928, the Tetiever Congregation sold half of that parcel to the American Benevolent Association, creating a parcel that spans the western portion of the cemetery recorded as PPN 431-13-019. In March 1931, Oheb Zedek sold three quarters of an acre of land on the north side of the cemetery, parcel number 431-13-016, to B’nai Israel. The congregation would merge with a newly formed West Side Jewish Center, today known as Beth Israel, in the 1950s. The West Side Temple is currently located at 14308 Triskett Road. In August of 1964, the congregation would purchase .17 of an acre on the south side of the cemetery from the Oheb Zedek, recorded as PPN 431-13-058. On the same day, Beth Israel-The West Side Temple, sold .25 of an acre on the north side of the cemetery abutting the eastern line of its section purchased in 1931 from Oheb Zedek.                    Plaque reads: Opened  May 18 1947 By Tetiever Ahavath Achim Anshe Sfard Congregation Plaque reads: Landscaping  and fence  Donated by Tetiever Ladies Auxiliary In October of 1948, Oheb Zedek sold .38 of an acre of land on the south side of the cemetery to Beth Hamedrosh Anshe Galicia Congregation. This parcel became PPN 431-13-021. The congregation’s name would change to Sinai Synagogue in 1967.  Plaque reads Honorary Members Mr. & Mrs. B. Golovan Mr. & Mrs. B. Cohen Mr. & Mrs. M. Smith Mr. & Mrs. N. Toibin Mr. & Mrs. H. Lodish Mr. & Mrs. S. Brodsky Mr. & Mrs. M. Kalinsky Mrs. S. Tucker Mr. & Mrs. D. Warshafsky Mr. & Mrs. S. Rosenblatt Mr. & Mrs. Mannis Mrs. E. Zimmerman Mr. & Mrs. E. Kaufman Mr. A. Gladstein Mr. H. Spitalny   Photos source: Jeffrey Morris, May 2015 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 53  In October 1959, after completing several mergers with congregations primarily from the Mt. Pleasant district, the Tetiever Congregation changed its name to the Warrensville Road Synagogue. At the same time, an additional one-acre parcel on the south side was created. The parcel was given the number PPN 431-13-054. It was named and dedicated by the Tetiever Ladies Auxiliaries.      The above map of the Oheb Zedek cemetery, produced by the WPA in the late 1930sshows the chapel  that once occupied the property toward the front of the cemetery. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives.  The aerial photo to the right, taken in 1959, shows the octagonal-shaped chapel with the caretaker’s house to the south. Minutes from a meeting of the Taylor Road Synagogue Cemetery Association, dated January 7, 1965, indicate an agreement to demolish the dilapidated chapel and build a new two-car garage behind the caretaker’s house.  The home was demolished in 2017; however, the garages continue to provide storage.       One must assume that the survey used the name East 51st Congregation instead of the incorporated name of Agudath Beth Israel, as the congregation was at 2621 E. 51st from 1921 to 1925. Photos source: Jeffrey Morris, May 2015.       Aerial photo taken 1959 by Cuyahoga County Engineers office show both the house and the chapel at the eastern edge of the cemetery.   Source: Cleveland public library digital collection   Photo source of house, Jeffrey Morris, May 2015. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 54                                   431-13-017 1/5/1911 Oheb Zedek sells 1 acre to First Galician Cemetery Assoc. Oct. 6, 1920. Purchased by Tetiever Ahavas. 10/26/1959 Official name changed, deed filed re-issued to Warrensville Center Synagogue.   431-13-020 10/28/1924 Oheb Zedek sells 1 acre to the Tetiever Congregation.  431-13-019 2/23/1928 Tetiever sells .5 acre (western ½) to American Hebrew Benevolent Assoc. (outlined in orange)  10/26/1959 Deed re-issued indicating official name change to Warrensville Center Synagogue. 431-13-016 3/28/1931 Oheb Zedek sells .75 acre to Bnai Israel. 8/24/1964 Beth Israel sells ¼ of an acre along the eastern line of the parcel to Taylor Road Synagogue - Oheb Zedek. 431-13-018 2/14/1922 Oheb Zedek sells 1 acre to Agudath Bnai Israel   1/29/1924 Agudath Bnai Israel Sells .5 acres (western ½) of the parcel (outlined in red) to Romanian American Hebrew Sick Benefit Assoc. to become a part of 431-13-019  8/21/1940 Agudath sell their remaining portion to Avil Israel Cemetery Association.  3/11/1954 Avil sells back to Agudath, and parcel is acquired by merger with Oheb Zedek-Taylor Road Synagogue.  431-13-021 3/13/1948 Oheb Zedek sells .38 acre to Beth Hamedrosh Anshe Galicia.  Later known as Sinai Synagogue. Deed transferred 8/31/2015 to Oheb Zedek-Cedar Road Synagogue. 431-13-054 10/26/1959 Deed re-issued indicating official name change to Warrensville Center Synagogue. Separate parcel number established.   431-13-058 8/24/64 Taylor Road Synagogue – Oheb Zedek sells .17 of an acre to Beth Israel-The West Temple 431-13-015 Paul Allen 4-17-1907 to D and Regina Lieberman  4-18-1907 acquired from Lieberman by Oheb Zedek Congregation  Oheb Zedek Ridge Road II Cemetery Property Ownership Updated 10/29/2020 Aerial photo of Ridge II Cemetery Source: Cuyahoga County Web site   July 22, 2017  http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 55  Bet Olam Cemetery  Bet Olam Cemetery Formerly known as Park Synagogue Cemetery and The Warrenville Cemetery    25796 Chagrin Blvd.  Beachwood, OH 44122 (216) 831-9441  The cemetery at the southeast corner of Richmond Road and Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood was established in 1910 by Anshe Emeth Beth Tefilo Congregation, today best known as Park Synagogue. The congregation, formed in 1883 by Polish immigrants, was then located on E. 38th Street, just north of Woodland Road, in the heart of the Jewish community. At that time, the 25 acres were within the rural borders of Warrensville Township, as the Village of Beachwood would not be incorporated until 1915.  The story is told that the purchase of the property came about when Sam Newman, a board member of the synagogue, ventured out in search of land the congregation could acquire for a cemetery. His journey was somewhat hampered when a snowstorm caused both Newman and his horse to spend the night at the property, then occupied by Edward Reindfleisch. When Reindfleisch heard that Sam was looking for land, he arranged the sale with the condition that his family would remain on the property as the caretakers. According to stories told, Newman experienced the effect known as “No good deed goes unpunished,” as fellow board members were not in favor of the purchase. However, Newman honored the commitment with Reindfleisch. The Reindfleisch name would be a part of the cemetery’s history and the community for several decades. Reindfleisch’s son Arthur would later serve on the Beachwood Board of Education and the Volunteer Fire Department. Arthur, and at times his brother Walter, took over the day-to-day responsibilities through the 1960s. Cuyahoga County deed transfers indicate that the property had been owned for many years by William Mathews, a longtime steward of the township, until the parcel was sold in 1901 to Fredrick Berg, who then sold the property to the synagogue on December 2, 1910. Monumnet sign at the corner of ChagrinBlvd.  & Richmnand Rd. Photo taken by Jeff Morris 2008  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 56  The prior sales are confirmed in an abstract conducted in May of 1901 by the Guarantee Title and Trust Company of Cleveland and updated in April of 1918. An abstract is the history of any transaction, such as a sale or mortgage, along with any other recorded documents relative to the land as far back as the Revolutionary War. The abstract indicated that the congregation is the thirty-eighth owner of the land, with the first owner being the Commonwealth of Connecticut.  Laying Out the Cemetery According to the congregation’s archives, maintained by the Western Reserve Historical Society, the design of the cemetery was completed in 1918 by former Cuyahoga County Engineer William Evers. His work included the Mayfield Cemetery (just west of Coventry Road), the West Park Lutheran Cemetery and several projects in Florida. The design includes the names of several congregations and benevolent societies that acquired sections from Anshe Emeth between 1921 and 1923. It is unclear why these names appear on the drawing dated 1918, before the groups had made the acquisitions. One can surmise that, at some point, when the names were added to the drawing, an updated date was not added to it as well, or the deed transfers were processed well after the design was completed. Excluding a few changes to the southern portion of the cemetery, the layout remains as designed by Evers.5                                                5 Don’t be confused about the name of the cemetery and the streets. Based on obituaries published by the Jewish Review and Observer, from 1915 up until the 1940s, the cemetery was often known as the Kinsman Road Cemetery. The obituaries from the 1940s into early 1960 refer to it as the Warrensville Cemetery. Sometime after the congregation’s relocation to its current location in Cleveland Heights, formerly occupied by the Park School, the cemetery was simply known as the Park Synagogue Cemetery. In 1999, the name was changed to Bet Olam, which translates in English to “House of Eternity.” In 1959, the name of Kinsman Road was changed to Chagrin Boulevard by the City of Shaker Heights, the affluent city to the west of Beachwood, to clearly define its western border with the city of Cleveland. Beachwood, Pepper Pike and Woodmere quickly joined Shaker Heights. The Village of Chagrin Falls, also a small upscale community, is six miles to the east of the cemetery. It should be noted that Kinsman, Ohio, is along the eastern border of the state.   The Reindfleisch family’s involvement in the cemetery spanned several generations. According to the 1920 census, Edward, born in Germany, and his wife Minnie had three children: Martha, Walter and Arthur. In the 1940s, Arthur and his wife Esther, with help from their children Lilian, Richard and Lois, continued to maintain the cemetery into the late 1960s. Arthur served for many years on the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department. His father Edward served in the 1930s on the school board.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 57               1951 Aerial photos.  Source: USGS https://ers.cr.usgs.gov The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 58  .                  1951 Aerial photo Source USGS hyyp//erscr.usgs.gov                By the mid to late 1950s, the adjacent parcels of vacant land, which prior to the 1930s were active farms, were being acquired by developers for office parks, retail and housing. This was the result of the Baby Boom giving rise to a need for housing and the soon-to-be built highway, now known as I-271. Subsequently, the corner of Kinsman Road and Richmond Road would forever lose its peaceful rural setting that Sam Newman had found fifty years earlier. According to the 1920 census, Beachwood’s population totaled 192. The 1940 census reported 373 residents. By the 1950s, the number had increased to 1,073. The 1960 census exceeded the 5,000 mark required to gain status as a city, with 6,089 residents. The 2010 census reported 11,952 residents.  The above photo shows the intersection of Kinsman Rd. now known as Chagrin Blvd. and Richmond Roads. Take note,  at that time and since the 1920’s several roads with a handful of homes existed north of Chagrin.  Also take note of the road an angle at Richmond Rd. That is Bryden Rd, which over time has been relocated on multiple occasions.  A Farmhouse occupied by the Caretaker. B Farmhouse of Mary Fry, owner of land now known as Park East Dr. C 26011 Kinsman, known as the Swetland Building, occupied circa 1910 as a fresh food market. In 1941 Ray and Koop Ferwerda rented the building to develop what is today the Gradall tractor. Now the site of P.F. Chang’s. D Known in the 1940s and ‘50s as Mary & Jim’s, then Reggie’s, today it is a BP station.  E Thought to been built as a Canfield Gas station and later converted to a drive-in style restaurant. Acquired in 1949 by John Franks, who operated Jolly Johns from 1949 to 1974. Today this is Yours Truly. New office and residence for the caretakers, built in 1956, and replaced in 2005. Photo courtesy of Anthony Hiti, HDS Architecture Inc., formerly known as Herman Gibans Fodor, Inc. A E B A C D The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 59  Major improvements would take place over the next twenty years to enhance the cemetery’s appearance and correct operational inefficiencies. According to the City of Beachwood’s building department records in 1958, under the leadership of the congregation’s president Myron Guren, the aging farmhouse, located at the western edge of the cemetery, was demolished, and replaced with a one-story building at the eastern edge of the cemetery. The new building included both an office and service garage, along with public restrooms and two apartments for the caretakers. At the same time, the entrance would be relocated to its current location. The structure was designed by the well-known architectural firm of Weinberg & Teare. In September 1964, the State of Ohio acquired approximately 20 feet of the cemetery’s northern property line, so that Chagrin Boulevard could be widened in anticipation of increased traffic, as the outer-belt would soon be open.    The completion of the long-awaited road improvements provided the opportunity in 1965 to enhance the entrance with towering 12-foot-tall travertine marble supporting iron gates. One feature of the gates includes the dedication plaques memorializing longtime members Sadie and Samuel Rosenthal. What some might think are anchors within the memorial gate is actually the Hebrew Letter Shin. The use of the letter within a circle can be found throughout the Park Synagogue’s main campus, at 3300 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights, completed in 1950 under the direction of architect Eric Mendelsohn.   Documents located at Beachwood City Hall indicate that additional improvements were made in 1965, including fencing along Chagrin Boulevard, signage at the corner of Chagrin and Richmond Roads and fencing continuing on Richmond Road. The same architectural firm would be used that had designed the new office and caretaker’s residence just a few years earlier. The firm, established in 1937 as Weinberg, Conrad & Teare, and known until recently as Herman Gibans Fodor, Inc., led by the well-known James Herman, is now known as HDS Architecture. The firm’s work within Cleveland includes the first public housing development in the United States, known as Lakeview Estates.  The aerial photo to the left taken in 1951 shows the location of the caretaker’s house and the location of the driveway. Photo, right, taken in 1971, shows the location of the new caretaker’s home and office, along with the new driveway entrance, prior to being relocated. Photos source: USGS: https://ers.cr.usgs.gov Photo of Hebrew letter shin at the gate. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, June 2019. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 60  In November of 1966, Anshe Emeth acquired 7.3 acres, at the southern end of the eastern property line, from Frank Mavec.  Mavec was developing what was initially known as Holiday Drive, now known as Park East Drive. The parcel acquired is located adjacent to the eastern property line of the cemetery. As can be seen in the 1970 photo below, Park East Drive initially ended in a cul-de-sac 1,100 feet from Chagrin Boulevard. Over time, Park East Drive would be extended several times.  In 1992, a new road was built from the southern terminus of Park East Drive west to Richmond Road. The road is parallel to the southern boundary of the cemetery. A portion of the road, then known as Hotel Drive, would replace a 15-foot gravel access road constructed in 1966. According to documents filed with the country recorder in 1966 (Volume 11873 page721), the cemetery granted the easement to allow access to the pump station Mavec was required to build to support his development of Park East Drive. Over the next twenty years, the easement agreement would be modified multiple times, including allowing access to the Telerama cable TV tower built in the late 1970s, located on the land now occupied by Embassy Suites.   Dedication of the second extension of Park East and Hotel Drive occurred in 1988. (Volume 258 page 38) An additional dedication for Hotel Drive occurred in 1992. (Volume 258 page79. The name of Hotel Drive was officially changed to Park East Drive in November 2008).      The aerial photo to the left defines the parcels of land acquired and sold by the cemetery. Source: USGS: https//ers.cr.usgs.gov, 1970 A 1910 Fredrich Berg sel ls Anshe Emeth 25 acres.  v1314/p423  B 1966 Frank Mavac sel ls Anshe Emeth. 7.3 acres in 1966. 1873/p721   Anshe Emeth sel ls 6.12 acres in 1986 to  Northcoast Beachwood LTD. for development of  the southern port ion of Park East Dr.  v63744/p14 B1 1989 Embassy Suites with a portion of “C” B2 1990 Beachwood Care Center 742-28-011 B3  Remaining 1.0 acre of “B” C A port ion of  land owned by Frank Mavac, occupied in 1964 and later acquired by Telerama for i ts broadcast ing tower, consol idated into one parcel  with B1.  D The City of Beachwood acquired 1 acre (B4) along with the adjacent 2.8 acres of  the cemetery’s original  25-acre parcel  for the construct ion of a f i re stat ion.       AFN 19991 116 062 5 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 61  In 1999, the remaining 1.007 acres of the 7.2 acres purchased in 1966, along with 3.9 acres of the original twenty-five acres acquired in 1910, were sold to the City of Beachwood (identified as area “D” on the aerial photo on the page 58). The sale provided sufficient funds to Park Synagogue to acquire burial rights within a defined area of the Mt. Olive Cemetery on Aurora Road in Solon.   In 2005, the office and residence, built in 1958, were demolished and replaced. A new structure was built by Neshkin Construction. The structure does not include a residence for the caretaker. It is unclear as to when the Reindfleisch family ended their many years of service and at what point the cemetery no longer had a caretaker living on-site.                   Photo of the new office & maintenance facility. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, June 2019. Today, the cemetery continues to be maintained with the same high standards established by Edward Reindfleisch and engineer William Evers when the land was first developed. The commitment to those standards has endured over the past 107 years under the watchful eye of the cemetery’s lay leadership and staff. Although he recently retired in 2018 cemetery manager, Mike Radigan, provided 12 years of dedicated leadership for those that followed him.   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 62  Mount Olive Cemetery   Mount Olive Cemetery 27855 Aurora Road Solon, Ohio 44139 (440) 248-5100   Mount Olive Cemetery was established in 1924 when the Chebra Agudath Achim Congregation and the Slobodker Benevolent Cemetery Association purchased three parcels from Joseph Masek in Solon, Ohio, at 27855 North Miles Road, now known as Aurora Road. An additional pie-shaped parcel, to the east, was acquired in 1925, also from Masek. The four parcels totaled 14.5 acres. The Chebra Agudath Achim Congregation Association was incorporated in 1891. At that time the congregation was located at the northwest corner of what is now known as Community College Drive and East 30th Street.  In 1953, after relocating several times, the congregation merged into the Taylor Road Synagogue.   The Slobodker Benevolent Cemetery Association (SBCA) was incorporated in 1906. In 1928, under the direction of longtime member and at that time SBCA President Joseph H. Sibert, the organization changed its name to the Forest City Hebrew Benevolent Association. Today both the congregation and the benevolent society provide representatives to the Mount Olive Cemetery Association, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the cemetery.  1903 Hopkins Plat map showing the 30 acres owned by Joseph Blezek prior to Masek’s purchase in 1921 and the subsequent sale of 15 acres in 1924 to Chebra Agudath and the Slobodker Benevolent Cemetery Association. The Masek home, which according to county records was built in 1870, is shown within the purple circle.  According to an August 5, 1938, article in the Jewish Independent, a weekly Cleveland newspaper, the following Sunday, “Sherith Jacob Congregation’s, Rabbi Hugo H. Klein, would lead the dedication service for the Cemetery’s main gate.” Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, May 2016. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 63  In 1953 Congregation Chebra Agudat Achim, their equal partner, merged into the Taylor Road Synagogue, formerly known as Oheb Zedek. The layout (plat) of the property including establishment of sub lots was done by Engineer A.A. Soffin in 1924. The plat was approved by the Cuyahoga County Recorder and was officially titled the Mount Olive Cemetery Subdivision V.90 page 11. This designation allowed the two equal owners, Chebra Agudath Achim and the Slobodker Association, to sell the 45 sub lots to other synagogues or Jewish organizations. The first to acquire land was Congregation Nvai Zedek in March of 1925. See Appendix B for a complete list. According to county records and information from the Solon Historical Society, the only known structure on the property when it was acquired was the Masek Home built circa 1870, fronting South Miles Road. According to Joseph Masek’s grandson, Lawrence, his grandparents, Joseph and Agnes, had operated a fruit and vegetable farm on the property for several years. The Maseks remained in the house until a new home was built, to the east, on the remaining 15 acres several years later. Joseph Masek was an employee of the U.S. Post Office for over forty years. Joseph passed away in 1955; his wife, Agnes, predeceased him in 1947. The only photograph found showing the house is the 1952 aerial photo below and the 1903 Hopkins plat map.                                1959 Aerial photo taken by the County Auditor’s office shows Mr. Masek’s residence, used as the cemetery’s office and home of the caretaker until a new structure was built to the east on the Moore property. Photo source: Cuyahoga County Archives. Plat of the Mt Olive Cemetery  recorded by the Cuyahoga County Recorder   Vol 90 page 11 recorded December 19,1924 along with  Vol 86 Page 26 recorded December 6, 1926 as Number 90 – 11. That parcel is outlined in blue. Do not let a lower number of the Vol with a later date be a cause for confusion. Source: Cuyahoga County, map room. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 64  In 1953 the cemetery acquired the half-acre lot and home of Alfred Moore located at the southeast corner of the cemetery. Moore had purchased the property from Masek on the day that Masek sold the fourteen-plus acres to the cemetery in 1924. In addition to the acquisition of the land and house, the purchase removed a restriction, recorded in the 1924 deed transfer from Masek to the cemetery, which limited the location of any structure or grave within 200 feet from Moore’s property. Subsequently the Moore home, according to county records, was demolished and was replaced in 1967 with the current home built by PAR Construction Company.    Several years earlier, in September 1957, under the direction of Board members Sam Miller, Jack Abrams, Nathan Hodous, Frank Stein, Nathan Gordon, William Bokor and Sol Gilman, the contract to build a new cemetery office was approved. The building, designed by architect Louis Skolnik and built by Sam Marcus, included public restrooms accessible from the parking lot and a maintenance and storage facility.    The card and photo shown above are from a review of all noncommercial parcels within the county compiled by the Cuyahoga County Auditor between 1958 and 1962. The cards provide information including dimensions, owner, rental income, estimated construction date and the assessed value. The photo shows the former home of Alfred Moore before it was replaced in 1967 with the current residence. Source: Cuyahoga County Archives. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 65   As the 1950s came to a close, the amount of land available for burials needed to be addressed. The board of directors had several options including the development of the front (southern) portion of the property, which included a gully, or an acquisition of additional land preferably adjacent to the cemetery. Board minutes from the late 1950s through the early 1980s indicated the logical decision was to improve the southern portion in phases to increase available area for burials. The work would include filling the pond located adjacent to the parking lot and section 12, replacing and redirecting drainage and eliminating the gully. The elimination of the gully would result in sections 50, 51, 52, 400 and 500 being established.  Details of the work are limited to board minutes approving the work. Most of the work was done by Mr. Wesley Chrisman of Granger Construction.           In August 1965, the board of directors approved the purchase of 29.5 acres to the north from longtime owner Cloyd Steiniger. In addition, four small landlocked parcels each 50 feet by 150 feet along the eastern property line at the northern end of the cemetery were acquired between 1965 and 1967. That was followed in 1981 with the purchase of an additional adjoining parcel just 11 feet wide. The increase from 15 acres to 44.5 acres resulted in Mount Olive being the largest Jewish cemetery in northern Ohio. The five small parcels were part of the 37 acres to the east of the cemetery owned for many years by Frank Morrison’s family. As a result of these purchases, two major decisions had to be made: (1) how to lay out the land and (2) how to establish a plan different from the one commonly used when sections were split into individual parcels and sold to various synagogues or groups.   Front Sections developed circa 1960 Section Name Estimated completion date* 50 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc. 1966 51 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc. 1971 52 Forest City Benevolent Assoc.  400 Memorial Garden Assoc. 1974 500 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc.  *Based on obituary review in Cleveland Jewish News and site review on gravestones, Board minutes, and aerial photos. 1959 Aerial photo shows the Masek home and location of the pond now Section 12. Source of photo: Cuyahoga County Archives 1970 photo shows newer sections added along the front of the cemetery. Source of photo: Cuyahoga County Archives  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 66                       By the late 1950s, nine landowners were added to the original co-owners, Chebra Agudath Achim Congregation Association and the Slobodker Benevolent Cemetery Association. Most of the congregations or benevolent associations were and continue to be in solid financial condition. Several were not and two ceased to exist. In addition, disputes over usage including perpetual care fees were at times left for the courts to resolve. Clearly an updated model needed to be developed. The solution was the establishment of Affiliate Membership Agreements, at times known as constituent agreements, which allowed synagogues and benevolent organizations such as the Jewish War Veterans to purchase burial rights within a predefined section while the deed to the 29.5 acres would continue to be held by the Cemetery Association. The agreements define the rules and obligations including religious guidelines, the size of monuments, and the day-to-day property management responsibilities of the Mount Olive Cemetery Association.  The Aerial photo taken in 1970 shows the original 14.25 acres of the cemetery outlined in green. The portion outlined in purple represents the half acre acquired in 1965. The area within the blue outline is the 29.5 acres purchased from Steiniger in 1965. The area outlined in orange is the 0.65 acres acquired in 1966 and developed for the Jewish War Veterans. Those sections are known as 201–204. The area outlined in red represents Sections 101 to 109. The improved road, formerly the northern boundary, is shown in yellow. The road was widened and leads east down to the balance of the Steiniger parcel.  Photo source: Cuyahoga County Archives. 1970 The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 67  The next task was to choose a civil engineer or landscape architect to lay out the overall design. The first two organizations to participate as Affiliates, at times known as constituents, were the Memorial Association and the Jewish War Veterans Post #44.  The initial design was created in 1967 when Solon-based engineer Melvin Smith and later his partner Karl Stonebraker were chosen to design the overall plan and the details needed for the Memorial Association and the war vets. Smith’s biggest challenge was the seventeen-foot difference in elevation between the Steiniger parcel and the area 150 to 200 feet north of the original northern property of the cemetery line. That area is outlined in red in the photo shown on the previous page. In March of 1967, Racca Asphalt was granted the contract to clear the upper section of the Steiniger parcel for nine sections each measuring 50 feet wide and up to 200 feet deep. Racca would construct a road east to west fronting the new sections and extending east. The road included a 60-foot circle that would provide access to the four small parcels to the east and a roadway descending north to the balance of the newly acquired land.              Several of the Memorial Sections are within Sections 101 through 109. In 1972, a mausoleum was built by Granit-Bronz of Cold Spring, Minnesota, at the rear of section 102. After several months of discussion within the Jewish community, the mausoleum was removed and repurposed by Kotecki Monuments.    The above drawing shows the nine sections, or sub lots, recorded June 30, 1968, by the county recorder, Vol. 202 page 54. This is an excellent example of how improvements to land should be documented, to avoid unforeseen circumstances. Source: Cuyahoga County Fiscal office website https://cuyahoga.oh.publicsearch.us/doc/147325287 Approx. location of mausoleum built and removed in 1972. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 68  At the same time Sections 101 through 109 were being developed, Sections 201 to 204 were being established on the four small parcels acquired from 1965 to 1968. This was developed by the Jewish War Veterans Post 44. According to the Cleveland Jewish News published October 21, 1983, a dedication ceremony had taken place several days earlier. The dedication included the unveiling of a three-sided monument designed by Arthur Hemlock. The monument straddles the center of the sections. A flagpole was donated by Leon Miller. The dedication service was led by Rabbi Jacob Shtull and Post Commander David Siegel.              Five parcels acquired were once part of the 37 acres to the east and were reconfigured for Sections 201 through 204.  PPN Date Acquired Doc. Vol/ Pg. 951-21-25 11/5/1965 11671/651 951-21-26 11/5/1965 11671/651 951-21 27 6/16/1966 11827/927 951-21-28 6/7/1967 12127/873 951-21-61 2/2/1981 15425/577 Shown above (top) is the plat on file with the County Recorder prior to the cemetery acquiring the five parcels. The plat below  outlined in green is the reconfiguration of the five lots. This document is part of the plats filed June 30, 1968, known as Vol. 202 page 54 with the County Recorder. Source Cuyahoga County Fiscal office  website https://cuyahoga.oh.publicsearch.us/doc/147325287 The drawings below the plat image indicate a total number of graves divided into four sections, with Section 201 having 241 graves, Section 202 having 219 graves, Section 203 having 231 graves and Section 204 having 210 graves. His drawing does not include the War Veterans’ monument. The Jewish War Veterans’ involvement at Mount Olive can be traced back to 1935, when an article in the Jewish Independent dated November 8 of that year announced a public dedication the following Sunday by the Jewish War Veterans Post 14 in a section of the cemetery set aside for burial of Jewish ex-service men. The ceremonies would be led by Rabbi Abraham Nowak of Community Temple. The event would include the dedication of a flag and flagpole. At that time George E. Kath was the president of the post. It is unknown where that section is located. Tombstone, pictured above, with the inscription “Dedicated to Jewish War Veterans of the United States.” Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, July 2017. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 69  The last section of the upper parcels to be developed was Section 109. This section is uniquely shaped and provides an unblocked view over the then soon-to-be-developed Steiniger parcel. In 1984, this section would be prepared for the cemetery’s newest affiliate, Congregation Bethaynu. According to Mount Olive Board minutes, this section would accommodate one hundred burials with an option to use an additional seventy-seven.  Bethaynu held its last service in 2011. Many of the members of Bethaynu chose to join Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, which maintains the relationship with the Mount Olive Cemetery Association for former members of Bethaynu.   By 1988, a road was built leading from the circle or upper landing point in front of Sections 201 through 204 north down to the lower portion of the Steiniger parcel. The project provided access for the development of Sections 117 through 120. In addition, the road included a culvert that would define and enhance the beauty of Bethaynu’ s section. That road is outlined in green in the aerial photo shown below. According to cemetery records, the work was done in 1988 by Granger Construction.          Section 120 was developed in 1981 for Sinai Synagogue, one of Cleveland’s oldest orthodox congregations, which today is a part of Oheb Zedek-Cedar Sinai Synagogue in Lyndhurst. The establishment of Section 117 provided the cemetery additional burial plots for those who were not members of congregations with burial rights. Sections 118 and 119 were developed for the Jewish War Veterans in 1998. These were in addition to Sections 201 to 204 previously discussed and included a dedicated monument.   Earth-moving equipment would return in 1994 when JTO Inc. of Mentor was selected to construct a road around Section 600. The construction of the road would also provide improved access to Sections 110, 111, and 112. The work would also include the construction of a gravel road providing limited access to the undeveloped western portion of the cemetery, identified as Sections 800 and 900.   The monument shown above is to the left of Sections 118 and 119.Photo source: Jeff Morris. July 2017. Author of above drawing unknown. Source: Archives of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. 1970 Aerial photo of yet to be developed northern portion of the cemetery.  Photo source: Cuyahoga County Archives.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 70                       Upon completion of the road work, Park Synagogue would join the other affiliates in obtaining burial rights for its members within a substantial portion of Section 600, in addition to options for additional land yet to be developed. The Forest City Benevolent Association, an original partner in the development of Mount Olive, reserved Section 600B, and Temple Israel Ner Tamid acquired the center section, 610. Most recent additions include Section 110 provided by the Cemetery Association for burials of Holocaust survivors and their families. The section is anchored with a monument designed and built by Classic Memorials. In 2009, Section 111 became the Jewish War Veterans’ third section in the cemetery, also identified with a monument designed by Classic Memorials.                Source: Cuyahoga County Web site  Aug. 1, 2018,  http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us Above photos of monuments: Source: Jeff Morris, July 2017. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 71                             In 1987, a stand-alone garage was built by Commonwealth Lumber just north of the cemetery office. Until then, equipment storage was limited to a portion of the office building built in 1957. In 2008 a small addition was added to the north side of the building, and in 2016 the garage doubled in size with a 30 foot by 30-foot addition to the front.  The proper development of Mount Olive would not have occurred without the dedication of both paid staff and board members, along with additional input from community members. The memorial markers to both Mr. Gill and Mr. Wolf are testaments to their dedication to serving family members of blessed memory with respect and dignity. Their commitment to the goals set in place in 1924 by the founders of the cemetery continues under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Larry Collins and his dedicated staff.   Section Name  Section Name  Section Name 101-104 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc.  111 Jewish War Vets  600 Park 105 Taylor Road  112 Forrest City B. Assoc.  600B Forrest City B. Assoc. 106-108 Memorial Assoc.  117 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc.  600C & D Park 109 Bethaynu B'nai Jeshurun   118 -119 Jewish War Vets  610 Temple Israel Ner Tamid  109A Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc.  120 Cedar Sinai  700 Park* 110 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc. Holocaust  200-204 Jewish War Vets  800 & 900 Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc. *Sections placed in reserve for future development The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 72  Ownership of initial parcels within the sub lots established Shown below are the sections, sold over time by Chebra Agudath Achim Congregation and the Slobodker Benevolent Cemetery Association, joint owners of the land. The name of the current owner listed is based on official documents recorded in the Office of Fiscal Services of Cuyahoga County. In some cases, the official owner of record does not reflect the actual owner but rather the congregation or association that has accepted or assumed control. Sub lot Section & number Permanent Parcel Number 951 –  Name of buyer, date and County Doc. Control number of deed transfer Current Owner If applicable subsequent deed transfer, buyer, date and County Doc. Control number of deed transfer  3  4 21-020  21021 Nvai Zedek 6/6/25 v3289  p41 WARRE  NSVILLE CTR. SYNAGOGUE 10/26/1959 V9765 p461   2 -21-022 Tifereth Israel  Anshe Sfard 6/19/1931 v4163 p257 Current owner based on County Record of 951-21-022 is Tifereth Israel Anshe Sfard of Mt. Pleasant. The congregation disbanded circa 1950. Remaining members joined with Ohel Jacob V’Yavneh Congregation – Shaker Lee which merged into Warrensville Ctr. Synagogue in 1970.  Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue 2 921-023 Shaarey Israel of  Mt. Pleasant 12/17/1930 V4002 p605 Current Owner based on County Record of 951-21-023 is Shaarey Israel of Mt, Pleasant. The congregation disbanded circa 1950. Remaining members joined with Ohel Jacob V’Yavneh Congregation – Shaker Lee which merged into Warrensville Ctr. Synagogue in 1970. Today Warrensville Ctr. Synagogue is known as Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue.  1 -21-024 Ohel Jabneh Bilchek’s Shul 1/26/1936 V4585 p537 The current owner based on County Record of 951-21-024 is Ohel Jabneh. Disbanded circa 1960 with remaining members joining Warrensville Ctr. Synagogue, which today is known as Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue.   14 -21-030 Jewish Progressive Assoc.   9/8/1938  v4870 p242 The organization was incorporated as the Cleveland Vilner Jewish Progressive Society in 1925. The organization’s incorporation was canceled 6/30/1970 by the State of Ohio. Last known filing to the state by the society was processed 10/5/1959.  38 21-038 Beth Hamedrosh Kol Israel 11/05/1929 v3862 p319 Transferred by merger with Warrensville Center Road. Merger filed with State 5/14/1959. Doc. B101-617. Recorded by county recorder V3704 page 305. Now listed with 951-21-029.  It is unknown when this parcel was listed with 951-21-029. Owner per Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office for this parcel is Cong. Etal. 26 21-042 Brisker & Grodner Benv. Society Date of Sale is 8/2/1937 not recorded until 4/4/1961 v10140  p696 Disagreement between Brisker & Grodner Benv. Society and the Mt. Olive Cemetery Assoc. over fees for perpetual care resulting in the matter being resolved by Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals Judge Lee Skeel in favor of the Cemetery Association in January of 1964. Case number CA 26820. As of 6/1/2017, the Brisker & Grodner Benv. Society incorporation status is identified by the secretary of state as on hold due to failure to file a statement of existence as required. Last reinstatement by the state occurred 1/19/2012. 31  32 21-047  21-048 Shomrei Hadath *7/13/1934 Not recorded until 7/15/1973  V1333 p6671 Deed transfer documents are dated 7/13/1934; however, it was not recorded until 7/15/1973. Thought to be done in preparation of merger of Shomrei Hadath into Young Israel. Merger agreement B905-0929 was filed with the state of Ohio 8/28/1973. Merger recorded as Shombro Doth Jewish Congregation to Young Israel 9/6/1973, v13352 p963 for parcel 951-21-046. However, parcel 951-21-027 was not transferred to Young Israel by the county recorder.  Reminder, spelling is based on the official documents of land transfers or consolidations of congregations and/or organizations.  The above drawing shows  the 43 sub lots established 12/19/1924  in Vol 90 page 11 of the County Recorder’s office. The small number is the developers sub lot number. The Oval number is the Permanent Parcel Number.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 73  Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Association a.k.a. Lincoln Road Cemetery  Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Association a.k.a. Lincoln Road Cemetery Along with Ahavath Israel—Rabbi Berger’s Congregation Theota Avenue east of West 51st  Parma, Ohio 44134        Photo taken 2017 shows the entrance on Theota A. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris.  Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Association6, was incorporated in 1919 by Harry Rosen and Samuel Kauffman, purchased 4.52 acres, parcel number 444-01-019, in 1921 from Mary Koczman in the northern portion of Parma, Ohio. At the time, circa 1950 the Cleveland suburb was in the early stages of transitioning from a rural farming community to a bedroom community. The purchase included the addition of three single-family lots, two on Lincoln Avenue and one adjacent to the entrance of the cemetery. While officially known as the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, for a period of time it was also known as the Lincoln Street Cemetery. Obituaries in the Plain Dealer and Cleveland Jewish News as late as 1973 listed the cemetery’s address as 4923 Lincoln Avenue. This was the address for one of the two parcels on Lincoln Avenue and for many years was the residence for the cemetery’s caretaker. (See Appendix C.)  Over time, the cemetery was divided into parcels so other organizations could purchase a portion or sections” for their members. Those included Ohel Jacob, Shomre Hadas, Sherith Israel, Mezricher Independent Society and the Linicher Society. The consolidation and mergers of these organizations would over time become part of the Warrensville Center Synagogue, today known as Oheb Zedek – Cedar Sinai Synagogue. This document also details the development of the adjacent cemetery to the east known as Rabbi Berger’s Ahavath Israel.                                                 6 First founded in New York in 1900, the Cleveland branch in 1903 to support the Eastern European Jews arriving with one suitcase or crate, limited transferable skills, and little or no funds. While being a laborer was not a requirement for membership, the organization became popular among those employed in the building trades. Many of the new arrivals spoke Yiddish. While immigrants learned English, the organization would continue to teach Yiddish as a second language.  Their first known permanent meeting hall was acquired in 1923 at 2358 E. 57th Street just north of Woodland Avenue. That property was sold in 1931 to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  In 1927 a Mt. Pleasant location was established at 3471 E. 147th St. The organization would maintain ownership of this location until 1960 when they sold the building to the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness. By 1963 a new building was built at 1980 S. Green Road. The building known as the Workmen’s Circle I. L. Peretz Education Center was sold in 2007 to the Cleveland Chabad Center.   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 74                     The plat map to the left (above), Vol. 4 published in 1951 by G.M. Hopkins shows the “Workman’s” parcel. The additional sub parcels are outlined in purple, along with the residential parcels initially acquired which are outlined in red. The current parcel owned by Ahavath Israel is outlines in green. Additional information is detailed later in this document.   History of land within Women’s Circle Cemetery 1921 to present PPN 444-01 Year acquired Size Ac. Seller Buyer Source County Recorder  Unless noted at State of Ohio 019 1921 4.52 Mary Koczman Workmen’s Circle Cem. Assoc. County Recorder V2477 P205 020 1928 .17 Workmen’s Circle Cem. Assoc. Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Assoc. sells 0.17 acre to Shomre Hadas Congregation County Recorder V3858 p174 1943 .17 Sherith Israel Shomre Hadas sells parcel to Ohel Jacob Anshe Sfard Congregation V5499 p538 1959 .17 Ohel Jacob Anshe Sfard Congregation Merger with Ohel Jabneh Congregation becomes known unofficially as the Shaker-Lee Synagogue V9968 p24 1969 .17 Shaker-Lee Synagogue, then with Warrensville Ctr. Syn.  Today know as, part of Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue Ohio Sec. of State B652-243       021 1927 .17 Workmen’s Circle Cem. Assoc Sherith Israel v3602 p227 1959 .17 Sherith Israel Merger with Warrensville Center Synagogue V9968 p24,  Ohio Sec. of State B652-0243       022 1929 .34 Workmen’s Circle Cem. Assoc Linicher Society V3862 p22 1955 .34 Linicher Society to Ohel Jacob Anshe Sfard V8239 p296 1959 .34 Ohel Jacob Anshe Sfard merged with Ohel Jabneh then known as the Shaker-Lee Synagogue Members of Shaker Leers consolidate with Warrensville Center Synagogue V9968 p24 State of Ohio B127_1395 E601_0900       025 1964 .35 Workmen’s Circle Cem. Assoc Independent Mezricher Assoc. v11362 p75 1992 .35 Gerald McFall, Cuyahoga County Sheriff Sheriff sells property, under foreclosure lien for taxes, back to the Independent Mezricher Assoc. v92-4969 p25 Brookpark Road The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 75  Ahavath Israel—Rabbi Berger’s Congregation  Ahavath Israel—Rabbi Berger’s Congregation Theota Avenue, East of  W. 51st Street  Access is through Workmen’s Circle Cemetery Parma, Ohio 44134  This smaller cemetery abuts the eastern border of the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery was purchased by Ahavath Israel from Lizzie Haller in August of 1938. It was recorded as parcel number 444-01-024. While the purchase included 4.52 acres, only .31 acres remain a part of the cemetery. The balance is now part of the partially developed Walters Way subdivision.    Location of walkway from Workmen’s Circle into Berger’s Cemetery                 The area outlined in yellow on the above plat is a parcel consisting of 4.52 acres purchased in 1938 by Ahavath Israel from Lizzie Haller. The sale included an additional parcel to the north of the unexcavated extension of Theota Avenue from W. 51st Street east. This was known as parcel 444-01-023.  The parcel was consolidated with parcel 444-01-017 when purchased with other parcels for the housing development to the east known as the Walter’s Grove subdivision.   An additional parcel known as parcel “A” within the cemetery was established in 1938 when Ahavath Israel sold a portion of the cemetery along with a portion of land to the east to the Cleveland Hebrew Vilnar Benevolent Association; however, the parcel was deeded back to Ahavath Israel in 1963.  Plat map dated 11/12/2014 maintained by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Services. .  As of 9/10/2023, Walter’s Way has yet to be cut through to Theota Avenue for the 2nd phase of the development.     Above photo shows the gate at the southern portion of the property that is not used at the present time for burials. Note the path beyond, north of the gate leads to the unpaved portion of Theota Avenue. That unpaved road as noted on the plat below is designated to become Walter’s way. This is known as a Paper Street. Photo source: Jeff Morris, November 2014. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 76  Appendix C: Workmen’s Circle  Additional Parcels Acquired in 1921 that Are  No Longer a Part of the Cemetery  The first of three sub lots that had been acquired in 1921 and later sold was sub lot 63. Several obituaries in the 1973 Cleveland Plain Dealer list 4923 Lincoln as the address for the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery. This was the home of the caretaker of the cemetery for many years until a fire destroyed the home in the early 1960s. Workmen’s Circle sold the property in 1979 and it is now owned by Mr. Charles Augustine.    The second parcel is sub lot 64 and is just east of sub lot 63. The address is 4919 Lincoln, and it is also owned by Mr. Charles Augustine. The Workmen’s Circle sold the parcel in 1934 to Herman Feldhorn.   The third parcel, sub lot 69, was, on paper, also on Lincoln Avenue. The parcel was sold in 1927 to the Parma School System for the expansion of Thoreau Park Elementary School.                         Sub lot 64 443-32-073 4929 Lincoln A  Sub lot 69 Now part of 443-32-001 Above left shows a building that once occupied the northern portion of Ahavath Israel's property. It is unknown when the building was built or demolished.  Obit is from the Plain Dealer published 6/21/1972. Photo source:  Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office, 1959.  Sub lot 63 443-32-074 4919 Lincoln A  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 77   Mt. Sinai Cemetery Mt. Sinai Cemetery 6576 White Road Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143   The Mt. Sinai Cemetery is located at the southwest corner of SOM Center and White Road in Mayfield Village. In March of 1934, 13.5 acres were acquired by Congregation Knesseth Israel from the South Euclid Savings and Loan Co. The bank had acquired the land from the Cuyahoga County sheriff when the former owner, I.M. Switzer, defaulted on his loan, resulting in the parcel being sold by the county. In October of the same year, the congregation sold an undivided half interest to the Heights Orthodox Congregation, today known as Heights Jewish Center. The same day, both congregations transferred their ownership to the Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association, formed just six months earlier by Henry Levine and Gabriel Leeb. According to minutes of the Cemetery Association and a report in the Jewish Review, an official dedication took place on Sunday, November 1, 1935.7                                                  7 About Knesseth Israel & Heights Jewish Center: Knesseth Israel was established in 1887. The congregants first met in the home of Rev. L. Klein at E. 9th and Sumner Court. Then in 1893 a building at the sixteenth block of Woodland was purchased from Joseph and Louis Koblitz. The 1896 Sanborn plat map shows this address being the Young Men’s Hebrew Association. The congregation would relocate several times, and in 1922 it constructed a two-story synagogue at East 105th and Columbia in the Glenville neighborhood. In 1955 the congregation merged with the Taylor Road Synagogue. The Heights Jewish Center was established in 1923 as the Heights Jewish Orthodox Congregation. Members first met in the home of Jacob and Mina Makoff located on Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights, with the High Holidays services held at the According to minutes of the Cemetery’s Board of Directors, the stone stations that support the Mt. Sinai Cemetery arch were formerly located at the entrance of the James H. Wade estate at the northwest corner of Euclid and E. 40th Street. The 1892 Cram & Co. plat to the right shows that at the time the 13.5 acres were owned by W.M. Brott.  Note: Circa 2020 the archway/sign was relocated to the south at ground level facing Som Ctr. Rd.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 78  According to minutes of the Cemetery Association dated December 6, 1934, the cemetery land within section “G” was to be divided as follows: “The eastern half of “G” is to be utilized by Knesseth Israel Congregation and the western half of this section “G” is to be utilized by Heights Orthodox Congregation.” The minutes define section “D” to be reserved for children.  It is unclear whether the initial layout of the cemetery was designed by Architect J.A. Altschuler or Civil Engineer W.E. Holland. Altschuler’s drawing is undated but includes an address for him of 677 E.123rd. Altschuler’s name does not appear in the minutes. Holland’s name is mentioned in the cemetery’s board minutes through the late 1930s. His drawing is limited to Block “G” and is dated August 1937. Booth’s drawings are identical to Altschuler’s except that Altschuler’s drawing includes a greenhouse at the northwest corner of the property. It is possible that the greenhouse already existed when the property was acquired; board minutes dated April 8, 1935, make mention of negotiating with a man living in the area to take care of the orchard and the grounds.  Board minutes dated May 16, 1935, indicate a unanimous vote to move forward on entering into a contract with Mr. A. Palerino to develop the property including grading and constructing the roads. Minutes indicate that Palerino was involved in the grading and road work into the early 1940s.           Drawings source: Mt. Sinai Cemetery                                                Heights Theatre, which had been built by Makoff. In 1928, the congregation relocated to Superior Road just south of Mayfield Road. The current location on Cedar Road in University Heights was acquired in 1978.  The above aerial photo shows an area between White Road and Route 91—SOM Ctr. Rd. Note the limited number of roads constructed, unlike Altschuler’s intended layout. Source:  U.S. Department of the Interior, 1951. The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 79  Based on board minutes, along with public records, there were no significant improvements to the cemetery until the 1960s when the issue of drainage, the need for an on-site residence for the caretaker, and the sale of a portion of land would begin to be addressed and would take place over several decades. A unique opportunity occurred in 1960 when a home previously owned by James and Ruth Klein at 6411 Highland Road was acquired by the State of Ohio for right-of-way of what is now known as I-271. The home was relocated to provide housing for an on-site caretaker. Minutes of the Cemetery Association dated June 14, 1961, confirm the relocation; however, no information could be found on the logistics of the move or the cost, if any, to the cemetery association.        The above drawing is part of the State of Ohio’s interstate highway project known then as State Rt. 1 and known now as I-271. The photo to the right was from part of a survey completed by the County Recorder in June 1959 of all non-commercial properties. The sequence of numbers is the Permanent Parcel Number assigned by the county. Drawing provided by State of Ohio Highway Department District. Photo of house provided by the Cuyahoga County archives.   On May 27, 1964, the Board approved the construction of the 20-foot-by-20-foot garage built by A. Hertz Construction Co. That building continues to be used to house equipment necessary to maintain the property. Over the years, the lack of proper drainage on the cemetery’s eastern border along State Route 91 (SOM Center Road) would be an ongoing issue leading to a suit filed against the State of Ohio. In 1965 an agreement was reached, which coincided with the state’s plan to widen the road and install the appropriate drainage system. This resulted in the cemetery selling .41 acres along the eastern frontage to widen the road. However, the drainage issue along the eastern portion of the property continued. Limited information could be found on the resolution of the drainage issue other than minutes dated October 8, 1967, where Board Chair Marvin Goldberg introduced Mr. Stephen Hovancsek, a civil engineer familiar with the area and at times a consulting engineer for the village. The project included recording a land survey with the County Recorder on February 10, 1967, Vol. 198, P74.    The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 80                     The above drawing by Steven Hovancsek appears similar to Altschuler’s original drawing, with some changes, namely the location of the caretaker’s house along White Road. The drawing, completed by Stephen Hovancsek and stamped by architect Richard Bowen, shows the 75-foot right-of-way, the land sold to the state in November of 1966. Source: Taylor Rd Synagogue/ Mt. Sinai Cemetery.  Approval of the work to be done occurred by a unanimous vote of the board consisting of Morris Sudman, Louis Chaitoff, Manny Ziskind, Morris Epstein, and Max Sorkin from Heights Temple, along with Marvin Goldberg, Alvin Jaffe, Jacob Apple, Victor Seidman, and Jack Marks of Taylor Road Synagogue. The vote, on March 31, 1968, authorized the work to be completed by the Murray Hill Construction Company.  In December of 1972, the cemetery association filed a second suit in the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas (case 912018) against the State of Ohio, Department of Highways, alleging that a permanent injunction restrained the state from diverting the natural flow of water into the White Road drainage channel. Minutes of a meeting on April 29, 1973, indicate that the State of Ohio was willing to draw up plans for a drainage system to connect into a 24-inch pipe beneath SOM Center Road if the association would drop the suit against the state.   The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 81  A significant change in the size of the cemetery took place on January 6, 1999, when board chair Leo Wieder presented and received approval from members Alex Adelman, Leland Freedman, Les Keller, Jack Klein, and Bernard Schmeltzer to sell 7.5 acres of land surrounding the cemetery to the Village of Mayfield. The sale consisted of 6.1 acres bordering the southern and western property lines and 1.4 acres along the northern and eastern property lines for a bike path. The deed transfer was recorded on November 10, 1999. Recorder’s Transaction numbers 199911100, 794 795, 796. h   1951 Aerial Photo Source:  U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey 1967 Survey Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office V198 P74  1999 Aerial photo Cuyahoga County http://myplace.cuyahogacounty.us/  The 1951 aerial photo shows a portion of the roads within the cemetery as designed by William E. Holland. The 1967 map was redrawn by Stephen Hovancsek in cooperation with Richard Bowen & Assoc. and recorded by the county in 1967 as Volume 198 Page 74. The 1999 aerial shows the access road at the southern section of the cemetery added circa 1970 based on Cemetery Association minutes dated May 18, 1975. The blue lines outline the remaining 6 acres owned by the cemetery after the sale of acres in November of 1999 to Mayfield Village.  A small addition to the southern portion of the garage that includes a public restroom was built in 1999 by Wolk Builders Inc. under the direction of architect Irving Rothenberg. Current projects under review include constructing a road south, adjacent to the south entrance parallel to SOM Center Road, to improve access to Section A. Transaction Date County Recorder Doc. Locator Acreage Initial purchase 3/17/1934 vol4346 p211 13.55 Sale to State of Ohio 11/10/1966 V1878 p290 .41 Sale to Mayfield Village 11/110/1999 199911100794 & 95 6.1 +1.4    The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 82  The Circle, the Flagpole, and the War Veteran Plaque    The first mention of support of the Veterans was an article published in the Cleveland Jewish Independent dated August 20, 1948, that stated: Announcement is made by Abraham Stern, 3370 Westbury Road, chairman of the board of Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association, that free graves are now available in Mt Sinai Cemetery for the burial of the remains of all Jewish members of the United States forces whose bodies are now being returned to America. This service was approved at a recent meeting of the board of governors of the Mt Sinai Cemetery Association whose officers are members, Abraham Stern chairman, Dave Berkowitz, vice chair, Dave Kaufman, treasurer, M.H. Friedman secretary: Charles C. Goldman, Issac Bruder, Morris Rubin and Isaac Fineberg. Mt. Sinai is owned jointly by the Knesseth Israel Congregation and the Heights Orthodox Jewish Center and was dedicated by Jews of Greater Cleveland, Nov. 3, 1935.   A designated area was established adjacent to the main gate on land earmarked in Altschuler’s drawing for a chapel. According to an article in the Cleveland Jewish News, dated September 11, 1966, the dedication service was held over several days in cooperation with both the Taylor Road Synagogue and Heights Jewish Center along with members of the Jewish War Veterans Post 33 and their auxiliary group. The guest speaker was Cuyahoga County Judge Daniel Wasserman. The memorial prayer was led by Rabbi Israel Porath of the Heights Jewish Center.   Both Altschuler’s drawing to the left and Holland’s drawing to the right show a chapel within the circle.  That area is now reserved for Veterans.  Drawings source: Mt. Sinai Cemetery    The cemetery continues to be well managed under the leadership of the cemetery committee of both the Taylor Road Synagogue and the Heights Jewish Center. Their dedication, along with 30-plus years of on-site dedication by Cemetery Superintendent Leonard Tromczynski, has resulted in the continued care and safeguarding of our family members of blessed memory  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 83  Zion Memorial Park Zion Memorial Park 5461 Northfield Road Bedford Heights, Ohio 44146 (440) 247-6961  Zion Memorial Park was established in 1948 by Albert Branson, the owner of the adjacent Evergreen Memorial Park. Prior to the Branson acquisition, the land had for many years been owned by the Glasier family. Limited information could be found regarding the former owner and use of the land prior to the cemetery being developed. Based on records of the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office, the cemetery consists of 8.7 acres. Over the years Zion has developed affiliations with several congregations to provide burial rights to their members. Those have included Community Temple (B’nai Jeshurun) Shaarey Tikvah, Green Road Synagogue, Jerash War Veterans, Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue (formerly Warrensville Center Synagogue), Temple Israel and Young Israel.     The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 84  The cemetery is the home of one of the first memorials to those who perished in the Holocaust. The memorial was developed by Cleveland’s Kol Israel Foundation, a support group formed by local Holocaust survivors in the 1950s.  The initial monument was dedicated in May of 1961. In September of 1996, the monument was increased to include new walls on each side of the initial monument that includes the names of loved ones who perished during the Holocaust.  In 2017 a historical marker from the State of Ohio was added to the cemetery to signify the importance of the memorial to Ohio’s history. In 2022 through an act of the U.S. Congress memorial site gained federal recognition.      The above photo from Kol Isreal’s website shows the monument along with the State of Ohio’s marker acknowledging the memorial as a significant place within the state. Photo source: Jeffrey Morris, April 2020.  The History of Jewish Cemeteries in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 85  Chesterland Memorial Park Chesterland Memorial Park 11521 Chillicothe Road Chesterland, OH 44026 (216) 831-6555  Northeast Ohio’s newest Jewish cemetery is known as Congregation B’nai Jeshurun’s Chesterland Memorial Park. The congregation purchased six acres in 1960 from the Rolling Green Development Corporation, which owned an additional forty acres to the north and today is known as the Western Reserve Memorial Gardens.  While space continued to be available at the congregation’s Glenville Cemetery on Shaw Avenue, the new cemetery provides ample space for the large congregation far into the future. One feature not found in many cemeteries included a chapel designed by the world-renowned Don M. Hisaka, who would also design the congregation’s new house of worship on Fairmount Road in Pepper Pike in 1988.  The dedication and offical opening of the cemetery took place on August 25, 1974, under the direction of Rabbi Rosenthal, Cantor Meisel and Board President Nathan Oscar.           The above plat map published by H.B. Stranahan & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1900 shows the land then owned by the Bassett family that is now occupied by the Cemetery.  The cemetery’s brochure (left) shows the front of the chapel completed in late 1974. Photo to the right shows the rear of the chapel overlooking the cemetery. The building was demolished in 2020. Source: Jeff Morris, November 2018. Photo courtesy of B’nai Jeshurun

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