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A Jewish cemetery (Hebrew: בית עלמין beit almin or בית קברות‎ beit kvarot) is a cemetery where Jews are buried in keeping with Jewish tradition. Cemeteries are referred to in several different ways in Hebrew, including beit kevarot (house of sepulchers), beit almin (eternal home), beit olam [haba] (house of afterlife), beit chayyim (house of the living) and beit shalom (house of peace).

The land of the cemetery is considered holy and a special consecration ceremony takes place upon its inauguration. According to Jewish tradition, Jewish burial grounds are sacred sites and must remain undisturbed in perpetuity. Establishing a cemetery is one of the first priorities for a new Jewish community. A Jewish cemetery is generally purchased and supported with communal funds.^[1] Placing small stones on graves is a Jewish tradition equivalent to bringing flowers or wreaths to graves. Flowers, spices, and twigs have sometimes been used, but the stone is preferred because in Jewish religion it is perceived specifically as a Jewish custom.^[2]

Showing proper respect for the dead (kevod ha-met) is intrinsic to Jewish law. The connection between the soul and the human body after death is an essential aspect of Jewish belief in the eternity of the soul. Thus, disinterring the dead, deriving benefit from a corpse or grave, or acting in any way that may be perceived as "ridiculing the helpless" (l'oeg l'rash), such as making derogatory remarks or joking, but also partaking in the pleasures or needs of the living, such as eating, drinking or smoking, are forbidden in the presence of the dead.^[3]

Showing proper respect for the dead also requires a prompt burial, the waiver of certain rabbinic restrictions on Shabbat and religious holidays to ensure proper care of the dead, the ritual cleaning (tahara) and dressing of the body in shrouds (tachrichim) before burial, as well laws concerning proper conduct in a cemetery.

To ensure that the requirements for Jewish burial are met and that each member of the community is afforded a proper burial, Jewish communities establish burial societies known as the chevra kadisha, 'Holy Society', to provide these services free of charge. In larger Jewish communities, cemeteries are sometimes subdivided into sections according to the chevra kadisha that uses and is responsible for that section of the cemetery's care and upkeep.

History

Early Jewish cemeteries were located outside of the city. In the Diaspora, it is traditional to bury the dead with the feet in the direction of Jerusalem. Some findings showed that the dead would be buried with a handful of soil from the Holy Land.^[4] The tombstones usually have inscriptions in Hebrew and the regional language. During the Nazi Germany regime, Jewish cemeteries all over Europe were destroyed and desecrated;^[5] for this reason, some cemeteries have therefore also become Holocaust memorials, such as the cemetery in the Warsaw Ghetto.^[6]

The largest Jewish cemeteries of Europe can be found in Budapest, Łódź, Prague, Warsaw, Vienna and Berlin. Other Jewish cemeteries in Europe include the Jewish Cemetery in Khotyn and the Chatam Sofer Memorial (part of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Bratislava). The Jewish cemetery of Siret is considered one of the oldest cemeteries in Eastern Europe, its foundation is dated around 1500. Founded in 1832,^[7] the Jewish Cemetery of Coro, in Venezuela is the oldest Jewish cemetery in continuous use in the Americas.^[8]

Jewish cemetery projects

The mission of the International Jewish Cemetery Project is to document every Jewish burial site in the world.^[9]

The Lo Tishkach European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative was established in 2006 as a joint project of the Conference of European Rabbis and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. It aims to guarantee the effective and lasting preservation of Jewish cemeteries and mass graves throughout the European continent.^[10]

The ESJF European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative was established in 2015 as a German-based nonprofit. It received the initial grant of 1 million euros from German government in 2015^[11] In November 2018 the EJSF received a European Union grant for a mass survey project of Jewish burial sites using drones. In December 2019 further funding was granted for a new 2019-2021 project "Protecting the Jewish cemeteries of Europe: Continuation of the mapping process, stakeholders’ involvement and awareness raising".^[12]

References

^ "IAJGS cemetery site". Iajgs.org. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
^ "Rabbi David Wolpe: Putting Stones on Jewish Graves". Archived from the original on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
^ Lamm, M (2000). The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. New York: Jonathan David Company Inc.
^ Battegay, Lubrich, Caspar, Naomi (2018). Jewish Switzerland: 50 Objects Tell Their Stories. Basel: Christophe Merian. pp. 30–33. ISBN 978-3856168476.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Eiland, Murray (2010). "Heraldry in the Jewish Cemetery, Frankfurt". The Armiger's News. 32 (1): 1–4 – via academia.edu.
^ The Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw Archived 2017-01-06 at the Wayback Machine About.com.
^ Venezuela), IAM Venezuela (Institutional Assets and Monuments of (2017-02-16). "Cementerio Judío de Coro". IAM Venezuela (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-09-28.
^ Editora-eSefarad.com (2009-10-27). "Venezuela: El primer cementario judío de Sudamérica es reacondicionado". eSefarad (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-09-28.
^ "International Jewish Cemetery Project". Iajgs.org. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
^ lo-tishkach.org
^ "About us", an ESJF webpage
^ About surveys project, EJSF

External links

[1] "IAJGS cemetery site". Iajgs.org. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2012-12-25.

[2] "Rabbi David Wolpe: Putting Stones on Jewish Graves". Archived from the original on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2021-08-01.

[3] Lamm, M (2000). The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning. New York: Jonathan David Company Inc.

[4] Battegay, Lubrich, Caspar, Naomi (2018). Jewish Switzerland: 50 Objects Tell Their Stories. Basel: Christophe Merian. pp. 30–33. ISBN 978-3856168476.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[5] Eiland, Murray (2010). "Heraldry in the Jewish Cemetery, Frankfurt". The Armiger's News. 32 (1): 1–4 – via academia.edu.

[6] The Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw Archived 2017-01-06 at the Wayback Machine About.com.

[7] Venezuela), IAM Venezuela (Institutional Assets and Monuments of (2017-02-16). "Cementerio Judío de Coro". IAM Venezuela (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-09-28.

[8] Editora-eSefarad.com (2009-10-27). "Venezuela: El primer cementario judío de Sudamérica es reacondicionado". eSefarad (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-09-28.

[9] "International Jewish Cemetery Project". Iajgs.org. 2010-08-23. Retrieved 2012-12-25.

[10] -tishkach.org

[11] "About us", an ESJF webpage

[12] About surveys project, EJSF

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Place of burial for Jews}}
-{{Other uses|Jewish Cemetery (disambiguation){{!}}Jewish Cemetery}}
+{{Other uses|Jewish Cemetery (disambiguation)}}
 [[File:Jewish graves Israel.JPG|thumb|Jewish graves, [[Israel]]]]
-[[File:Jerusalem Mount of Olives BW 2010-09-20 07-57-31.JPG|thumb|[[Headstone|Tombstones]] in [[Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery]], [[Jerusalem]]]]
+[[File:Jerusalem Mount of Olives BW 2010-09-20 07-57-31.JPG|thumb|[[Headstone|Tombstones]] in [[Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery]], Jerusalem]]
-[[Image:Jewish cemetery at Kasteelwal Buren The Netherlands.JPG|thumb|Jewish cemetery at Kasteelwal in [[Buren]], The [[Netherlands]]]]
+[[File:Fachada del Cementerio Judío de Coro.JPG|thumb|Façade of the [[Jewish cemetery of Coro|Jewish Cemetery of Coro]], Venezuela]]
+[[Image:Jewish cemetery at Kasteelwal Buren The Netherlands.JPG|thumb|Jewish cemetery at Kasteelwal in [[Buren]], The Netherlands]]
 [[Image:Juedischer_Friedhof_Wankheim+Tuebingen_14.jpg|thumb|Jewish cemetery Wankheim/[[Tübingen]], Germany]]
-[[File:Helsingin juutalainen hautausmaa.JPG|thumb|Jewish Cemetery in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]]]
+[[File:Helsingin juutalainen hautausmaa.JPG|thumb|Jewish Cemetery in [[Helsinki]], Finland]]
-[[File:Tombstone of the Oppenheimer family at the Jewish cemetery in Szprotawa.jpg|thumb|Tombstone at the Jewish cemetery in [[Szprotawa]], [[Poland]]]]
+[[File:Tombstone of the Oppenheimer family at the Jewish cemetery in Szprotawa.jpg|thumb|Tombstone at the Jewish cemetery in [[Szprotawa]], Poland]]
+[[File:Jewish Cemetery beside Narkeldanga Main Road in Kolkata 20.jpg|thumb|Jewish Cemetery in [[Kolkata]], West Bengal, India.]]
-A '''Jewish cemetery''' ({{lang-he|בית עלמין}} ''beit almin'' or {{Script/Hebrew|בית קברות}} ''beit kvarot'') is a [[cemetery]] where [[Jew]]s are buried in keeping with [[Halakha|Jewish tradition]]. Cemeteries are referred to in several different ways in Hebrew, including ''beit kevarot'' (house of sepulchers), ''beit almin'' (eternal home) or ''beit [[Olam Haba|olam [haba]]],'' (house of afterlife), the ''beit chayyim'' (house of the living) and ''beit shalom'' (house of peace).
+A '''Jewish cemetery''' ({{langx|he|בית עלמין}} ''beit almin'' or {{Script/Hebrew|בית קברות}} ''beit kvarot'') is a [[cemetery]] where [[Jew]]s are buried in keeping with [[Halakha|Jewish tradition]]. Cemeteries are referred to in several different ways in Hebrew, including ''beit kevarot'' (house of sepulchers), ''beit almin'' (eternal home), ''beit [[Olam Haba|olam [haba]]]'' (house of afterlife), ''beit chayyim'' (house of the living) and ''beit shalom'' (house of peace).
-The land of the cemetery is considered holy and a special consecration ceremony takes place upon its inauguration. According to Jewish tradition, Jewish burial grounds are sacred sites and must remain undisturbed in perpetuity. Establishing a cemetery is one of the first priorities for a new Jewish community. A Jewish cemetery is generally purchased and supported with communal funds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iajgs.org/cemetery/what-makes-a-cemetery-jewish/index.html |title=IAJGS cemetery site |publisher=Iajgs.org |access-date=2012-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818094106/http://iajgs.org/cemetery/what-makes-a-cemetery-jewish/index.html |archive-date=2016-08-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Placing [[stone]]s on graves is a Jewish tradition equivalent to bringing flowers or [[wreath]]s to graves. Flowers, [[spice]]s, and twigs have sometimes been used, but the stone is preferred because among the Jewish religion it is perceived specifically as a Jewish custom.<ref>[http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Events/Death_and_Mourning/Burial_and_Mourning/Graveside_Service/Stones.shtml Rabbi David Wolpe: Putting Stones on Jewish Graves]</ref>
+The land of the cemetery is considered holy and a special consecration ceremony takes place upon its inauguration. According to Jewish tradition, Jewish burial grounds are sacred sites and must remain undisturbed in perpetuity. Establishing a cemetery is one of the first priorities for a new Jewish community. A Jewish cemetery is generally purchased and supported with communal funds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iajgs.org/cemetery/what-makes-a-cemetery-jewish/index.html |title=IAJGS cemetery site |publisher=Iajgs.org |access-date=2012-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818094106/http://iajgs.org/cemetery/what-makes-a-cemetery-jewish/index.html |archive-date=2016-08-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Placing small [[stone]]s on graves is a Jewish tradition equivalent to bringing flowers or [[wreath]]s to graves. Flowers, [[spice]]s, and twigs have sometimes been used, but the stone is preferred because in [[Jewish religion]] it is perceived specifically as a Jewish custom.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Events/Death_and_Mourning/Burial_and_Mourning/Graveside_Service/Stones.shtml |title=Rabbi David Wolpe: Putting Stones on Jewish Graves |access-date=2021-08-01 |archive-date=2014-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021195943/http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Events/Death_and_Mourning/Burial_and_Mourning/Graveside_Service/Stones.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-Showing proper respect for the dead (''kevod ha-met'') is intrinsic to Jewish law. The connection between the soul and the human body after death is an essential aspect of Jewish belief in the [[Soul#Judaism|eternity of the soul]]. Thus, disinterring the dead, deriving benefit from a corpse or grave, or acting in any way that may be perceived as "ridiculing the helpless" (''l’oeg l’rash''), such as making derogatory remarks or joking, but also partaking in the pleasures or needs of the living, such as eating, drinking or smoking, are forbidden in the presence of the dead.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lamm|first1=M|title=The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning|date=2000|publisher=Jonathan David Company Inc.|location=New York}}</ref>
+Showing proper respect for the dead (''kevod ha-met'') is intrinsic to Jewish law. The connection between the soul and the human body after death is an essential aspect of Jewish belief in the [[Soul#Judaism|eternity of the soul]]. Thus, disinterring the dead, deriving benefit from a corpse or grave, or acting in any way that may be perceived as "ridiculing the helpless" (''l'oeg l'rash''), such as making derogatory remarks or joking, but also partaking in the pleasures or needs of the living, such as eating, drinking or smoking, are forbidden in the presence of the dead.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lamm|first=M|title=The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning|date=2000|publisher=Jonathan David Company Inc.|location=New York}}</ref>
-Showing proper respect for the dead also requires a [[Bereavement_in_Judaism#Burial|prompt burial]], the waiver of certain rabbinic restrictions on [[Shabbat]] and religious holidays to ensure proper care of the dead, the ritual cleaning (''tahara'') and dressing of the body in shrouds (''tachrichim'') before burial, and laws concerning proper conduct in a cemetery.
+Showing proper respect for the dead also requires a [[Bereavement in Judaism#Burial|prompt burial]], the waiver of certain rabbinic restrictions on [[Shabbat]] and religious holidays to ensure proper care of the dead, the ritual cleaning (''[[Ritual washing in Judaism#Treatment of a corpse|tahara]]'') and dressing of the body in shrouds (''tachrichim'') before burial, as well laws concerning proper conduct in a cemetery.
-To ensure that the requirements for Jewish burial are met and that each member of the community is afforded a proper burial, Jewish communities establish burial societies known as the [[Chevra Kadisha]] (''The Holy Society'') to provide these services free of charge. In larger Jewish communities, cemeteries are sometimes subdivided into sections according to the ''chevra kadisha'' that uses and is responsible for that section of the cemetery's care and upkeep.
-==History==
-[[File:Abraham Blooteling after Jacob van Ruisdael, Begraef-plaets der Joden, buyten Amsteldam (Jewish Cemetery outside Amsterdam), 1670, NGA 109791.jpg|alt=Cemetery structures and architecture|thumb|left|Abraham Blooteling after Jacob van Ruisdael, Begraef-plaets der Joden, buyten Amsteldam (Jewish Cemetery outside Amsterdam), 1670, NGA 10979, [[National Gallery of Art]]]]
-Early Jewish cemeteries were located outside of the city. In the [[Diaspora]], it is traditional to bury the dead with the feet in the direction of [[Jerusalem]]. The [[Headstone|tombstones]] usually have inscriptions in Hebrew and the regional language. During the [[Nazi Germany]] regime, Jewish cemeteries all over Europe were destroyed and desecrated; for this reason, some cemeteries have therefore also become [[Holocaust]] memorials, such as the cemetery in the [[Warsaw Ghetto]].<ref>[http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/aa100499.htm The Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw] About.com.</ref>
+To ensure that the requirements for Jewish burial are met and that each member of the community is afforded a proper burial, Jewish communities establish burial societies known as the ''[[chevra kadisha]]'', 'Holy Society', to provide these services free of charge. In larger Jewish communities, cemeteries are sometimes subdivided into sections according to the ''chevra kadisha'' that uses and is responsible for that section of the cemetery's care and upkeep.
-The largest Jewish cemeteries of [[Europe]] can be found in [[Kozma Street Cemetery|Budapest]], [[Jewish Cemetery, Łódź|Łódź]], [[New Jewish Cemetery, Prague|Prague]], [[Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery|Warsaw]], [[Zentralfriedhof|Vienna]] and [[Weißensee Cemetery|Berlin]]. Other Jewish cemeteries in Europe include the [[Jewish Cemetery in Khotyn]] and the [[Chatam Sofer Memorial]] (part of the Old Jewish Cemetery in [[Bratislava]]).
+==History==
-==Lists of Jewish cemeteries==
+[[File:Abraham Blooteling after Jacob van Ruisdael, Begraef-plaets der Joden, buyten Amsteldam (Jewish Cemetery outside Amsterdam), 1670, NGA 109791.jpg|alt=Cemetery structures and architecture|thumb|left|[[Abraham Blooteling]], ''Jewish Cemetery outside Amsterdam'']]
-{{Main|:Category:Jewish cemeteries by country}}
+Early Jewish cemeteries were located outside of the city. In the [[Diaspora]], it is traditional to bury the dead with the feet in the direction of [[Jerusalem]]. Some findings showed that the dead would be buried with a handful of soil from the Holy Land.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Battegay, Lubrich |first=Caspar, Naomi |title=Jewish Switzerland: 50 Objects Tell Their Stories |publisher=Christophe Merian |year=2018 |isbn=978-3856168476 |location=Basel |pages=30-33}}</ref> The [[Headstone|tombstones]] usually have inscriptions in Hebrew and the regional language. During the [[Nazi Germany]] regime, Jewish cemeteries all over Europe were destroyed and desecrated;<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Eiland |first=Murray |date=2010 |title=Heraldry in the Jewish Cemetery, Frankfurt |url=https://www.academia.edu/8021278/_Heraldry_in_the_Jewish_Cemetery_Frankfurt_The_Armiger_s_News_32_1_1_4_2010 |journal=The Armiger's News |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=1-4 |via=academia.edu}}</ref> for this reason, some cemeteries have therefore also become [[Holocaust]] memorials, such as the cemetery in the [[Warsaw Ghetto]].<ref>[http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/aa100499.htm The Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106001401/http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/aa100499.htm |date=2017-01-06 }} About.com.</ref>
+The largest Jewish cemeteries of [[Europe]] can be found in [[Kozma Street Cemetery|Budapest]], [[Jewish Cemetery, Łódź|Łódź]], [[New Jewish Cemetery, Prague|Prague]], [[Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery|Warsaw]], [[Zentralfriedhof|Vienna]] and [[Weißensee Cemetery|Berlin]]. Other Jewish cemeteries in Europe include the [[Jewish Cemetery in Khotyn]] and the [[Chatam Sofer Memorial]] (part of the Old Jewish Cemetery in [[Bratislava]]). The [[Jewish cemetery of Siret]] is considered one of the oldest cemeteries in [[Eastern Europe]], its foundation is dated around 1500. Founded in 1832,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venezuela) |first=IAM Venezuela (Institutional Assets and Monuments of |date=2017-02-16 |title=Cementerio Judío de Coro |url=http://iamvenezuela.com/2017/02/__trashed-2/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=IAM Venezuela |language=es}}</ref> the [[Jewish cemetery of Coro|Jewish Cemetery of Coro]], in [[Venezuela]] is the oldest Jewish cemetery in continuous use in the [[Americas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Editora-eSefarad.com |date=2009-10-27 |title=Venezuela: El primer cementario judío de Sudamérica es reacondicionado |url=https://esefarad.com/venezuela-el-primer-cementario-judio-de-sudamerica-es-reacondicionado/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=eSefarad |language=es}}</ref>
-==Jewish cemetery projects ==
+==Jewish cemetery projects ==
 The mission of the International Jewish Cemetery Project is to document every Jewish burial site in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iajgs.org/cemetery/ |title=International Jewish Cemetery Project |publisher=Iajgs.org |date=2010-08-23 |access-date=2012-12-25}}</ref>
 The Lo Tishkach European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative  was established in 2006 as a joint project of the [[Conference of European Rabbis]] and the [[Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany]]. It aims to guarantee the effective and lasting preservation of Jewish cemeteries and mass graves throughout the European continent.<ref>lo-tishkach.org</ref>
-{{anchor|EJSF}}The ESJF European Jewish Cemetery Initiative was established in 2015 as a German-based nonprofit. It received the initial grant of 1 million euros from German government in 2015<ref>[https://www.esjf-cemeteries.org/about-us/ "About us"], an ESJF webpage</ref>) In November 2018 the EJSF received a [[European Union]] grant for a mass survey project of Jewish burial sites using drones.<ref>[https://www.esjf-surveys.org/about-us/ About surveys project], EJSF</ref>
+{{anchor|ESJF}}[https://www.esjf-cemeteries.org/ The ESJF] European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative was established in 2015 as a German-based nonprofit. It received the initial grant of 1 million euros from German government in 2015<ref>[https://www.esjf-cemeteries.org/fencing-projects-of-esjf/ "About us"], an ESJF webpage</ref> In November 2018 the EJSF received a [[European Union]] grant for a mass survey project of Jewish burial sites using drones. In December 2019 further funding was granted for a new 2019-2021 project "Protecting the Jewish cemeteries of Europe: Continuation of the mapping process, stakeholders’ involvement and awareness raising".<ref>[https://www.esjf-surveys.org/about-us/ About surveys project], EJSF</ref>
 ==See also==
-{{portal|Judaism}}
 * [[Bereavement in Judaism]]
+*[[:Category:Jewish cemeteries by country]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 47: / Line 46: @@
 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20151127121456/http://www.lo-tishkach.org/en/index.php?categoryid=9 Database of European Jewish Burial Grounds]
 *[https://research.historicengland.org.uk/Report.aspx?i=15799&ru=%2fResults.aspx%3fp%3d1%26n%3d10%26tsk%3djewish%2520burial%26ns%3d1 Jewish Burial Grounds: Understanding Values - Historic England]
+{{portal|Judaism}}
 {{Authority control}}