“A cemetery with so many names?” you might ask, eyebrows raised. And you’d be right! Kneseth Israel Cemetery, tucked away in Hammond, Indiana, has quite the history, and with it, a collection of names almost as diverse as the souls laid to rest here. It wasn’t always Kneseth Israel Cemetery, you see. This ground, holding memories as rich as the Indiana soil itself, was once known as New Whiting Cemetery. Then, for a time, it was the Zipinski Cemetery. It’s a story of transitions, each name marking a chapter in the cemetery’s life. When the Standard Oil Company acquired the land that housed the Old Whiting Cemetery, they relocated the burials to what became New Whiting, later renamed Zipinski Cemetery. It was finally embraced by Congregation Kneseth Israel, taking on its current name and finding a permanent home for its community’s history. The cemetery, nestled among others along 167th Street, is more than just a resting place. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of Hammond’s past, a testament to the evolving identity of a community. So, as you walk through Kneseth Israel Cemetery, take a moment to reflect on the echoes of those names. They whisper tales of change, resilience, and the enduring spirit of life, lovingly remembered.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one