Over 260 Cemeteries Within ONE Cemetery

Of all the Chicago area cemeteries that I have researched in the last twenty-five years, Jewish Waldheim in Forest Park, a suburb west of Chicago,  has proven to be the most fascinating and complex. Whether or not you  are Jewish,   I promise that this will be a fascinating topic.

The people buried here, for the most part, represent the amazing and touching stories of Jewish emigrants who discovered the old Maxwell Street neighborhood as a gateway to a new world of freedom and unlimited opportunity. Chicago once had the third largest Jewish population of any city in the world. By 1930 there were 300,000 Jews representing 9% of the  population. They came primarily from Germany, Poland, Russia and Eastern Europe to seek a better life.

Jewish Waldheim  became one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the world,  a patchwork of over 260 separate cemeteries within one large complex with different owners, rules, regulations, prices and appearance. There are now over 175,000 burials, possibly approaching 200,000.

 

Their first synagogue was on the southwest corner of Lake and Wells. In 1846 they formed a Jewish burial society and bought land for their first cemetery within Lincoln Park on Chicago’s lakefront for $46. When the city banned further burials, they reached out to 350 acres of farmland in what today is Forest Park, some 9 miles west of Chicago.  In 1870, town founder Ferdinand Haase sold land to the Free Sons of Israel for a cemetery. Soon many others followed.

Typically men from the same European town or synagogue formed  benevolent and social societies called landsmanshaften. Nationwide there were about 50-60 national or regional organizations with some twenty million members, most providing medical and burial benefits.  These organizations were important havens of help, safety and security in an alien world.

 

In just Chicago, some 700 diverse groups including congregations, vereins,  social organizations, family groups, and cousin’s clubs,  and each having  25-600 members,  served some 100,000 members. They offered  mutual aid,  such as securing rail and ship tickets for new arrivals.  They assisted with loans, supported the sick and unemployed. Most held monthly meetings, often in a rented hall where members could meet old friends and share kosher refreshments. ,  There was also matchmaking,  picnics,  celebrations and banquets.

Their most solemn task was to bury their dead.

Each group bought their own individual cemetery land in and each cemetery was identified by a unique gate or arch, some very elaborate in brick or wrought iron. Each of some 260 gates are numbered and usually identified by the name of the group. Tombstones reflect the diverse Jewish population with inscriptions in Yiddish, Hebrew, German, English, Portugese, and Ladino.

 

 

UNTERSTUETZUNG VEREIN is seen on many of the gates, simply translates to: “support association”. Those with “Anshe” within the name were groups were formed within a particular synagogue.

Over the years, many of the physical gates have been removed or suffered damage from the elements. Some of the more elaborate brick arches have been damaged by severe winter weather and have either been removed or are in need of repair.

The gate numbering system still survives and help make organization out of such a large cemetery. I must mention that some of the pictures in this blog were taken by me many years ago and therefore may not reflect the appearance of the cemeteries today.

 

Cemetery gates No. 1-33 begin on west side of Des Plaines Ave. starting at Roosevelt Road and going South. Cemetery gates No. 34-62 are on the east side of Des Plaines Ave. starting at Greenberg Road and going North. Cemetery gates No. 63-83 are along Roosevelt Road west of Des Plaines Ave. Cemetery gates No. 84-129 are west of the former location of the  railroad tracks and entered through Greenberg Rd., from Des Plaines Ave. And finally cemetery gates No. 200 and up are entered from Harlem Ave at the 18th Street entrance.

Most of the organizations that bravely began in the Maxwell Street neighborhood  have sadly ceased to exist. Families  migrated south,  west, north into newer neighborhoods and then later into the suburbs. Because many of the descendants were now at a distance, support and visitation decreased. As a result, Waldheim has had  to fend for itself, enduring diminished financial support and upkeep. In addition to Jewish Waldheim, there were about 120 Jewish sections in other cemeteries between Gary Indiana and Palatine.  Many of the children and grandchildren now use Shalom Cemetery in Palatine, closer to their homes and with offering adequate space for growth.

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Rediscovering the history of each gate within Jewish Waldheim has been and continues to be a daunting challenge. Since most organizations are no longer in existence, finding more about them and their members has been very difficult. Recently I have received a generous gift from someone whose entire family are buried in Jewish Waldheim. It is a superb book that is the best reference on Jewish groups, “Bridges to an American City – A Guide to Chicago’s Landsmanshaften, 1870 to 1990”. It was written by Sidney Sorkin in 1990, one of the experts of the history of Jewish groups in Chicago.

 

The story of Jewish Waldheim and those buried there is so overwhelming, interesting and complex  that you will likely see and endure additional blogs on this site in the future. We will certainly highlight a few notable people who helped shape Chicago

 

 

As is all the other cemeteries in Chicago, Jewish Waldheim reveals our history and tells us who we are. A cemetery is a wonderful classroom where we can learn about our ancestors, Chicago history, and ourselves.

Below, I offer an updated gate list showing the synagogues and the many organizations that own, had owned or had a connection to a specific cemetery gate within Jewish Waldheim. The original gate information is  credited to the Piser cemetery guide, but I have now augmented the gate list with information from my research and mostly  from Mr. Sorkin’s fine work. In telling the story of over 700 organizations, Mr. Sorkin  linked groups and synagogues to about half of the Jewish Waldheim  gates.

Please note that there are  conflicts in the information for several reasons. First, many of the groups had multiple name changes as they evolved over the years.  Second  translation from Yiddish or  Russian  caused many spelling variations. Third, there are a few gates that were shared by two cooperating organizations or shuls.  Fourth, some congregations  merged with another causing a name change to either the combined congregation and/or the gate.

For all these reasons, use the following gate index with some caution. Know that changes and corrections will follow.

 

1		Anshe Kanesses Israel – Suwalki Organization of Chicago    No. 3;
2		Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 3 (West Side)
3		Independent Order  Bickur Cholem U’Kadisha  No. 1
4		Rodfei Zedeck
5		B’nai Ruven, Anshe Maxin No. 1;
6		Russ-Poland No. 1; Anshe Russian Keneseth Israel
7		Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz No. 1
7		Laghishoner Congregation sharing entrance with Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz
8		Shomer Hadas No. 3 (Chevra)
9		Anshe Maariv
10		B’nai Itzchok
11		Mishna Gemorra
12		Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 2 (West Side)
13		Tiphereth Zion Congregation (Lincoln St. Shule)
14		Austro-Galician Anshe Sephardic Congregation  later known as A.G. Beth Israel
15		B’nai Moishe Congregation
16		Anshe Kanesses Israel Suwalk (Lithuania)    No. 2
17		Dobrzinsker Aid and Rellief Sociey; Dobrzinsker Cemetery Association; Dorshe Tov Congregation
18		I.W.S.O. (Independent Western Star Order)
19		Gomel Chesed Shel Emes No. 1 (West Side)
20		Kalvaria Aid Society; Anshe Kalavaria Congregation
21		Shomer Hadas No. 2 (Chevra)
22		Austro-Hungarian Kranken Untersteitzung Verein (Chicago Covenant Aid)
22		Chicago Covenant Aid Society; Austro-Hungarian Kranken Untersteitzung Verein
23		Sons And Daughters Of Jacob
24		B’nai Israel
25		Anshe Kanesses Israel and Suwalk    No. 1;
26		Beth Hamedrosh Hacdash U’B’nai Jacob, Anshe Luknik
27		Anshe Emet Synagogue
28		Congregation Moses Montifiore
29		Ohava Amuno
30		Independent Order  Bickur Cholem U’Kadisha  No. 1
31		Free Sons Of Israel, Old
32		Shomer Shabbos
33		Atereth Israel (Tiktin No. 2)
33		Ticktin No. 2 (Atereth Israel)
34		Knesses Israel Congregation
35		Ezras Israel Anshe Motele Congregation; First Motele Untersteitzung Verein of Chicago
36		Knights Of Joseph (O.K.O.J.)
36		Order Knights Of Joseph (O.K.O.J.);  Nieziner Untersteitzung Verein
37		P.O.W. (Progressive Order Of The West); Voliner Branch #251
38	A	Naroditcher Congregation K.I.N.S.; Naroditcher Untersteitzung Verein
38		Nusach Sfaard
39		Shavel-Yanover
40		Anshe Motola
41	A	Portuguese
41	C	North West Hebrew Congregation
41		B’nai Moishe Alexandrovsky Benefit Aid Society
41		Yavner Progrssive Verein; Anshe Yavno Congregation
42	A	Gomel Chesed Shel Emes (Northwest Side)
42		Workmen’s Circle; Bieltzerkover Branch #541
43		Free Sons Of Israel, New
44		Mt. Nebo (South Side Hebrew Congregation)
44		South Side Hebrew Congregation (Mt. Nebo)
45		Kovner Verein Branch #304 W.C.; Ohel Jacob Anshe Kovno Congregation
46		Emanuel Congregation
47	A	Drohitchin Branch #294, Labor Zionists
47	A	Jewish National Workers Alliance (Farband Labor Zionist Organization) ;Cudnow Branch #187 (Labor Zionists)
47	B	Mt. Zion
47	C	Jewish Peoples Fraternal Order Cemetery formerly I.W.O. (International Workers Order)
47		B’nai Abraham Zion (Oak Park Temple)
48		Drohitchen Verein
49		Machzicki Hadas
50	A	Lebovitcher No. 2
50		Zkan Aaron
51		Warsaw  Beneficial Association Cemetery
52		Wilner No. 1; Congregation Mikro Kodesh Anshe Wilno; Vilna United Aid Society
53		Warsaw Progressive Lodge #564 I.O.B.A. (Independent Order Brith Abraham)
54		Order Brith Abraham ( O.B.A.)
55		First Roumanian  Congregation Anshe S’fard
56		Lebovitcher No. 1
57		Beth Hamedrosh U’B’nai Jacob; Anshe Luknik; Lukniker Verein
58		Ticktin No. 1; Tiktiner Aid Society
59		Dr. Herzl Kranken Untersteitzung Verein
60		Star Of The West
61		Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation
62		Chicago Covenant Aid Society (New Hungarian)
62		New Hungarian (Chicago Convenant Aid Society)
63		Poale Zedeck  Union Street/Clinton and Judd
64		Worner sharing with Bleiweiss Benefit Society
65		Retchitzer Province Aid Society
65		Rezinoier Progressive Verein
66		Bereziner Untersteitzung Verein (Bereziner Adjacent Benefit Association)
66		Beth Aaron Congregation
67		Cousin’s Club
68		Congregation Beth Sholom Anshe Kroz No. 2
68		Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates)
69		Leenas Hatzedeck (Section 4 And 5)
70		Polloner
71		Fastover American Progressive Aid Society
72		Anshe Antipole B’nai Moishe Lieb Congregation; Antipoler Aid Society
73		Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (One of four Cemetery Gates)
74		Divinsker Progressive Verein; American Brotherhood of Dvinsk
75		Ezras Naduchim
75		Russ-Poland No. 2; Anshe Russian Keneseth Israel
76		Nashelesker Untersteitzung Verein
77		Mlaver Relif Society; Mlaver Untersteitzung Verein
78		Kielcer Aid Society
79		Lutzker Rayoner Society
80		Agudas B’nai Eretz Israel
81		Stuchiner  Social Society
82		Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates)
83		Sons And Daughters Of Joseph (4 Cem. Gates)
84		Ahavas Achim
85		Beth Israel
86		M.S. Cemetery Association Division E
87	A	Kesher Israel
87		M.S. Cemetery Association Division F
88		Racianzer Jewish Relief Association of Chicago
89		Leenas Hatzedeck (Section 1 And 2)
90		Temple Judea
91		Anshe Odessa Conregation; Odessa Untersteitzung Verein No. 2; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation
91		Zhitomer Progressive Verein; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation
92		B’nai Sholom Congregation
92		Pultusker-Srotzker
92		Wilner No. 2 (Front) Progressive
93		Independent Progress
94		Independent Cemetery Association
95		Beth Tfilla
96		Zhitomer Progressive Verein; Anshe Zhitomer-Volin Congregation
97		Anshe Chodokov Congregation
98		American Brotherhood Of Moghileff Cemetery Association
99		Woronowitzer – Workosilkover  Untersteitzung Verein
100		Pavolitch Untersteitzung Verein No. 1;  Sokolover Ladies Aid Society
101		Sokolover
102		B’nai Ruven, Anshe Maxin No. 2;
103		Wilner No. 2 (Back) Vilna Sisters
104		Stoloner Untersteitzung Verein
105		Atereth Israel Congregation
106	A	Ahavas Achim Congregation (1236 N.Claremont Ave.)
106	B	Skverar Social Verein American Sokolover Independent Verein
106		Sokolover American Ind. Verein
107		South Chicago Bickur Cholem Congregation
108		B’nai Judea
109		Ostrover No. 1
110	A	Ostrover No. 2
110		Makarover (B’nai Jacob Anshe Shalom); B’nai Jacob Makarover Congregation
111		Independent Lomzer Society
112		Independent Chomsker Untersteitzung Verein
113		First Maramorasher Kranken Untersteitzung Verein
114		Independent Michael Halperin
115		Independent Satinover Untersteitzung Verein
116		Agudath Jacob
117		Lahishiner (Lohishiner)Verein; Anshe Lahishin Nusach Sfard Delibashon Congregation
118		American Progressive Society (Poland)
119		Moor Chaim Congregation
120		Ostrover No. 3
121		Goldman Lodge
121		Mozir Progressive Verein
122		Anshe Antipole B’nai Moishe Lieb Congregation
123		Anshe Odessa Conregation; Odessa Untersteitzung Verein No. 1
124		Hebrew Progressive Benevolent Association
125		Anshe Yanover Congregation; Yanoverr Progressive Verein
126		Boslover
127		Kurlander Aid Society Cemetery Association; Gegenseitiger Untersteitzung Verein Der Kurlander
128		Englewood, 1St Englewood Congregation
129		Congregation Anshe Pinsk; Congregation Mikro Kodesh Anshe Lida-Pinsk
200		Kishinover-Bessarabier Aid Society
201		First Galician Aid Society; Anshe Galicia Congregation
202		Peryslaverr Untersteitzung Verein
203		Proskurover Untersteitzung Verein
204		Beth Itzchok Of Albany Park Congregation
205		Beth Abraham Congregation
206		Anshe Pavolitch Congregation #2 (The dissenters)
207		Anshe Zedeck Congregation 19 O’Brien
208		Novy Dworer Verein
209		B’nai Israel Congregation
210		Trestiner Untersteitzung Verein
211		Chatiner/Choitner  Bessarabian Untersteitzung Verein
212		Kishnover Cemetery Association; Kishnover Relief Society
213		Klimentover  and Bessarabier Aid Society; City of Klimentov Aid Society
214		City Of Klimentow Aid Society
215		Independent Stashever Untersteitzung Verein
216		Zemach Zedeck Congregation 1439 N Talman
217		Telzer Untersteitzung Verein
218		Staroduber Benevolent And Cultural Association
219		Beth Joseph Of South Shore Congregation
220		Breziner Adjacent Benefit Association
221		Kovner Verein Branch #304 W.C.; Ohel Jacob Anshe Kovno Congregation
222		Bendiner Umgegund Verein (Bendiner Benefit Society)
223		Adath B’nai Israel Tomche Shabbos, Congregation
223		Tomche Shabbos Congregation
224		Anshe Dorom Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol (See Rodfei Shalom)
224		Rodfei Sholom Oir Chodosh Congregation
225		First Krinker Aid Society; B’nai Israel
226		Atereth Zion Congregation
227		Prushnitzer Friendship Association
228		United Pavolitcher Society
229		Independent Ladizinker United Verein; Breziner Adjacent Association
230	A	B’nai Bezalel Congregation
230		Dubover Ternifker Verein
231		Brusilover Untersteitzung Verein
232		Shavler Progressive Society
233		Kadaner (Keidaner) United Verein; Brith Abraham Shimen Anshe Keidan
234		Dinovitzer and Podoler Untersteitzung Verein
235		Lukow Mezritcher And Vicinity Society; Lukover Society
236		Goldfaden Landsmanship Farband
237		Jewish National Workers Alliance (Labor Zionist Order)
238		Pinsker Independent Society; Pinsker Umgegund Society
239		Loghishiner Cemetery Association
240		Anshe Pinsk Congregation
241		Rezistchever Benefit Society
242		Chenstochower Neighborhood Education Society
243		Hebrew Workers Sick Benefit Society
244		Chenstochower Independent Verein
246		Plinsker Umgegund Society
247		Korostishever Branch No. 195 J.N.W.A.; Congregation Anshe Korostichhever
248	A	Anshe Emet Synagogue
248	B	Locker Family Circle
248		Ahavas Israel Congregation
249	A	El-Or Memorial
249		Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society
250		New Beaconfield American Lodge No. 648
250		Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society
251		Korostishever Branch No. 195 J.N.W.A.; Congregation Anshe Korostichhever
251		Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society
252		Ostrer-Rayoner Aid Society
253		Tiktiner Relief Society
254		Sudilkov Shepetovker Relief Society
255		Lev Someach And Rabbi Henach Tversky Congregation
255		Rabbi Henach Tversky And Lev Someach Congregation
256		Brest-Litovsk And Province Aid Society
257		Semiaticher Verein
258		Breziner Lodge Independent Order Bickur Cholim; Independent Breziner Society
259		Beth Hamedrash Hagodol (Albany Park Hebrew Congregation)
260		Independent Minsker Aid Society Cemetery
261		Chicago Kletsker Aid Society;
262		B’nai Moishe Ekaterinoslaver Untersteitzung Verein
263		Vinitzer Untersteitzung Verein
264		Anshe Emet Of Englewood Congregation 6124 S May
265		Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein
266		Independent Austrian Aid Society
266		Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein
267		Zhiditshover Cemetery Association; Zhiditshover Progressive Verein
268		Slutzker And Vicinity Association; Slutzker Hebrew Aid Society
269		Keltzer Progressive Society
270		Gornystopoler-Ivankover and Umgegund Society
271		Rovner Rayoner Independent Society (Galicia)
272		Prager Warsawer Benevolent Association
273		Independent Beldzer Bessarabier Society
274		Lubliner American Society
275		Roumanian Jewish Cemetery Association
276		B’nai Yakov, Congregation
277		Pogrebishter Society Progrressive
278		Kiever Progressive Untersteitzung Verein
279		White Plain Anshe Shude Loven Untersteitzung Verein
280		Ozeraner Dubner Aid Society
281		Warsaw Congregation Cemetery Association
282		Ovrucher United Verein
283		Independent Kiever Sick and Benefit Association; United Kiever Verein Cemetery
284		Original Demievker-Kiever Society
285		Demievker Kiever Society
286		Chabner  Untersteitzung Verein
287		Slavaticher-Domachever Verein
288		Southwestern Jewish Cemetery Association
289		Soroka -Bessarabian Benevolent Society
290		Bazarer Prog. Untersteitzung Verein
300		General Section Of Jewish Woodlawn
301		Masonic Section