Three thousand one hundred souls rest here. Welcome to the Adass Jisroel Gemeindefriedhof in Berlin-Weissensee. This cemetery holds a unique and poignant story. It’s a story of faith resilience and survival.
Opened on February 24 1880 the Adass Jisroel Gemeindefriedhof was a necessity. The Orthodox Adass Jisroel congregation needed its own burial ground. The existing Jewish community in Berlin had different practices. They didn’t approve of the Adass Jisroel’s stricter adherence to tradition. The disagreement extended to burial practices. The Adass Jisroel community wanted simpler coffins and less ostentatious gravestones. They also wanted to adhere to their traditional practices about who could be involved in preparing a grave.
The land a generous gift from Gustav Hirsch a member of the wealthy Hirsch-Kupfer family was purchased in 1873. The first burial was that of Abraham Michelsen a 95-year-old Berliner Jew. It followed an ancient tradition requiring Kohanim members of the priestly lineage to be present for the first burial. The Kohanim could only be involved before the arrival of the corpse.
For many years the Adass Jisroel Gemeindefriedhof thrived. It became the final resting place for prominent figures. Rabbi Esriel Hildesheimer his sons and other luminaries of Orthodox Judaism are buried here. The graves of lesser-known members reflect the community’s diverse history.
The Nazi era brought unspeakable tragedy. Thousands of community members were murdered. Miraculously the Adass Jisroel Gemeindefriedhof largely survived intact. However the post-war period presented a new challenge. After 1974 the cemetery was neglected. It fell into disrepair vandalism and theft ravaged it. By the 1980s 2200 gravestones were destroyed another 200 stolen.
But hope remained. In the mid-1980s dedicated volunteers began a painstaking restoration. Piece by piece gravestone by gravestone they rebuilt this sacred space. In June 1986 a significant event occurred. The cemetery was reopened. Members of the Adass Jisroel congregation from around the world were present. This marked the start of a long process of restoration and preservation.
Today the Adass Jisroel Gemeindefriedhof stands as a testament to faith. It is a symbol of the endurance of a community and a poignant reminder of a tragic past. Unfortunately it remains unsafe for unsupervised visits. The congregation lacks the resources to ensure the safety of visitors. The cemetery is maintained largely through the efforts of volunteers. Donations are essential to maintain this historic and important place. Their hard work helps preserve the memory of those laid to rest within its walls. This is a site that demands our respect and our support.