How about a journey into a sacred space? We are standing before Montefiore Cemetery. It is a poignant reminder of lives lived and legacies etched in stone. This Jewish cemetery in Queens has been a final resting place since 1908. It is more than just a burial ground. It is a tapestry of stories.
Montefiore Cemetery is also known as Old Montefiore Cemetery. Some call it Springfield. Others simply say Montefiore. Over 150,000 people are buried here. Each grave tells a story.
Look around you. Notice the diverse monuments. Modest stones hint at lives and personalities. One tombstone reads, “When we fell in love it was forever.” It speaks volumes. Another says, “Adoring Grandmother / Beautiful Soul.” It shows the devotion of family and friends.
Among the many interred here are some famous names. We find artists, writers, and even mobsters. Barnett Newman was an abstract expressionist painter. Sholom Secunda was a celebrated songwriter. Mobsters like Jacob Shapiro and the Amberg brothers rest here too.
Al “Bummy” Davis was a prizefighter. He died resisting a robbery. Arnold Schuster helped capture bank robber Willie Sutton. He was murdered soon after. Their stories reflect different facets of New York’s history.
Perhaps the most notable grave here is that of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He was the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. Many considered him one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. Tens of thousands visit his gravesite each year. They believe a part of his soul remains here.
Visitors leave notes seeking his blessing and advice. These notes are read, torn, and left at the grave. People feel they are in the presence of a holy man.
The gravesite borders Francis Lewis Boulevard. It is known as the Ohel. Chabad Lubavitch purchased a house nearby. This offers access to the gravesite. It is open day and night. The Rebbe’s resting place has become a pilgrimage site.
Montefiore Cemetery is not just a place for the ultra-Orthodox. Secular Jews and Gentiles also come here. They are drawn to the mystical passion surrounding the Rebbe.
The Shomrim Society also has a plot here. This is a fraternal society of Jewish officers in the NYPD. A large granite obelisk marks their section since 1949.
Since 1908, Montefiore Cemetery has served the Jewish community. It provides a place of respect for loved ones. It offers solace for families. It stands as a testament to lives lived and memories cherished.