Imagine a tiny triangle of land amidst the bustling city. This is the Second Cemetery of Congregation Shearith Israel. It whispers tales of early New York.
This cemetery is a unique landmark. It’s a testament to the city’s evolving landscape. It also reflects the enduring spirit of its Jewish community.
Congregation Shearith Israel founded this cemetery. It was the first Jewish congregation in North America. They established it in 1654. The congregation initially resided downtown. It is now on the Upper West Side. However, its Greenwich Village presence remains significant.
The Second Cemetery of Congregation Shearith Israel received burials from 1805 to 1830. It opened as a burial ground for communicable disease victims. It also served transient Jews not affiliated with the community. In 1823, a law prohibited burials south of Canal Street. This made it the congregation’s main burial site.
At least 66 people found their final resting place here. Among them was Ephraim Hart. He was a veteran of the American Revolution. Hart also signed the Buttonwood Agreement. This agreement created the New York Stock Exchange. A flag marks Hart’s grave each Memorial Day. Isaac Harby, considered a founder of Reform Judaism, is also buried here. Painter Joshua A. Canter rests here too.
Originally, the cemetery was on Milligan Street. The extension of Manhattan’s street grid in 1830 cut through the cemetery. Some graves were moved. Three walls were built to contain the remaining fragment. Much of the original wall fabric still stands.
A restoration plan began in 2014. A car accident in 2019 damaged a wall. This hastened the restoration. A committee developed a plan. The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved it in 2020. Village Preservation supported the plan.
The main goal is to rebuild the street-facing wall. The Congregation also aims to protect an American Elm tree. They also want to preserve gravestones. An educational program is planned. It will celebrate the cemetery’s history. It will also honor the history of Greenwich Village.
The Congregation has raised over half the funds. They are working to secure the rest. The Second Cemetery of Congregation Shearith Israel stands as a reminder. It reflects resilience. It symbolizes the community’s commitment to preserving its heritage. This small triangle encapsulates a rich history. It connects us to the origins of Jewish life in New York.
Take a moment to appreciate this space. It connects us to the past. It also reminds us of the enduring stories etched in stone. The Second Cemetery of Congregation Shearith Israel is more than a burial ground. It is a living testament to history.