Jewish cemetery
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A Jewish cemetery (Hebr. בית עלמין "Beth Olamin") serves as any other cemetery for the burial of the dead and holds other qualities which are not found in Christian cemeteries.
[edit] History
The early Jewish cemeteries were located - like other cemeteries after the Middle Ages - outside of the city.
In the beginning, the dead were buried in the direction of Jerusalem, however this later changed. The tombstones were also marked during the time of Haskala not only in Hebrew language, but also in the respective regional language. During this time, in adjustment to the Christian tradition more extravagant tombstones and even mausoleums for families were erected.
During the time of National Socialism many Jewish cemeteries were devastated.
The largest Jewish cemetery of Europe, in which many notable personalities are buried, is the Łódź New Jewish Cemetery. The second largest is Berlin Weißensee Cemetery.
In the United States, the Coming Street Cemetery, in Charlestown, South Carolina, Mikveh Israel Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hebrew Cemetery of Richmond, Virginia and the Old Jewish Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio are some of the early Jewish cemeteries.
[edit] External links
