Abandoned and desecrated. That’s how Beth Jacob Cemetery, also known as Keheleth Jacob Anshe Drohiczen, existed for years. Located in Morton Grove, just north of Chicago, Beth Jacob Cemetery tells a story of neglect and resilience. The cemetery, nestled between Shermer and Waukegan, south of Dempster, and just north of Main Street, was once a place of reverence. Sadly, it became a target of vandalism, with overturned headstones and graffiti marring the sacred grounds. Imagine the pain of the families whose loved ones rested there. The Chicago Tribune reported on the devastation in 1998. They highlighted the community’s distress at the state of the cemetery. The headstones, many inscribed in Hebrew with dates pre-1900, were broken and scattered. Some were even defaced with swastikas. Local children were often blamed for the damage, but the true extent of responsibility remains unclear. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois notes that the cemetery became overgrown with weeds and strewn with litter. It became a forgotten place, a stark contrast to its intended purpose. The story doesn’t end there, though. In the 1990s, efforts were made to restore some dignity to Beth Jacob Cemetery. The grounds were cleared. The headstones were re-erected within the newly designated Shermer Park. However, access remains restricted. The Chicago Jewish Federation purchased the property in 2002. They secured the site with a fence. Today, Beth Jacob Cemetery is maintained. It’s not open for public visits. The bodies remain. Although there were discussions in 1998 about removing them and developing the land, those plans never materialized. The forgotten souls of Beth Jacob Cemetery continue to rest, their stories etched in the weathered stones, a testament to a community’s resilience and a reminder of the importance of respecting our past.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to