“Over 250 cemeteries in one. Can you believe it?” That’s what visitors often exclaim upon arriving at Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries.
Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries is in Forest Park Illinois. It began in 1870. This vast cemetery comprises over 250 smaller cemeteries. These represent various synagogues associations and landsmanshaften.
Establishing a cemetery was a priority for new Jewish communities. The first burial at Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries occurred in 1873. Jewish tradition mandates burial within 24 hours of death. Funerals are prohibited on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. Tradition calls for a wooden casket without metal parts. This allows for natural decomposition.
Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries was founded during Chicago’s second wave of Jewish immigration. Newly arrived immigrants formed religious educational and fraternal organizations. These groups sought cemeteries to sell plots to their members. Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries uniquely had 250 separate cemeteries. They had different owners prices rules and caretakers. These sections were rigidly divided by gated fences. Ornate entrances and dividers marked each section. Some of these still remain today.
In 1914 a special funeral train service began. It ran on the Metropolitan Elevated “L” tracks. This eased travel to Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries. The service operated for over two decades. It ended on July 13 1934. An “L” train stop at Forest Park still exists today. It is served by the CTA’s Blue Line.
Immigrant-based organizations began to decline. Assimilation lack of new members and funding contributed. Without uniform cemetery standards Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries looked neglected. Currently Waldheim Cemetery manages most sexton duties. Silverman and Weiss also supervise some sections.
Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries worldwide. It holds over 175000 burials. These burials represent the stories of Jewish emigrants. They found a gateway to freedom in the Maxwell Street neighborhood.
Chicago once had the world’s third-largest Jewish population. By 1930 300000 Jews lived here. They came from Germany Poland Russia and Eastern Europe. They sought a better life. Some 700 diverse groups served 100000 members. They offered mutual aid and supported the sick. They also assisted the unemployed.
Their most solemn task was burying their dead. Tombstones display inscriptions in Yiddish Hebrew German English and Ladino. Limited space caused graves to be close together. Groups that ceased operating resulted in deterioration.
“Unterstutzung” on many gates means “support association.” Groups with “Anshe” formed within a synagogue. Most Maxwell Street organizations have sadly disappeared. Families moved away and support decreased. Waldheim has endured diminished financial support.
Jewish Waldheim Cemeteries reveals our history. It tells us who we are. It is a classroom. Here we learn about our ancestors and Chicago’s history. As you wander remember the lives stories and legacies. They shaped not only this place. They also shaped the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s Jewish community.