Columbus' First Jewish Cemetery

COLUMBUS' FIRST JEWISH CEMETERY. Since Biblical times when Abraham purchased land to bury his wife Sarah, it has been considered a religious obligation for Jews to set aside land for interring their dead. Often before congregations were established burial societies were formed to perform this sacred act.

This site, established by Reform congregation Temple B'nai Israel, is the first burial ground in Columbus for members of the Jewish faith. The first burial was in 1852. Louis Haiman, famous Civil War arms maker for the Confederacy, is interred here as are ancestors of many prominent Columbus families.

Jewish burial traditions continue today in the city's Riverdale Cemetery. ERECTED BY HISTORIC COLUMBUS FOUNDATION, INC. AND THE HISTORIC CHATTAHOOCHEE COMMISSION 1998