Beneath these very stones rest stories of community and remembrance at Passaic Junction Cemeteries. Today we explore this place. It is not just one cemetery. Passaic Junction Cemeteries is an area encompassing several society plots.
Passaic Junction Cemetery holds plots for various organizations. These include Congregation Ahavath Torah. Also Barnert Lodge. You’ll also find the Independent Worker’s Association Br. #5 here. The Paterson Worker’s Alliance, Farband also has a plot. Paterson Zion Camps #6 and Temple Emanuel are represented. The Paterson Workmen’s Circle is here as well.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the history. The Jewish cemeteries of the greater Paterson area were started by synagogues. Landsmanschaft societies also established cemeteries. Fraternal and service organizations contributed as well. More than twenty cemeteries were organized this way.
Over time, some sponsoring organizations became defunct. Cemetery committee members sometimes died or moved away. The cemeteries needed continuous care and attention. The Jewish Federation of North Jersey developed a plan. It aimed to maintain the cemeteries in perpetuity.
They created the Cemetery Association of the Jewish Federation of North Jersey, Inc. This independent corporation maintains independent Jewish cemeteries. It does so in keeping with Jewish heritage and tradition. Several cemeteries have become members of this association. Others still maintain their independence.
Passaic Junction Cemetery is located on Dewey Avenue in Saddle Brook. Note that Passaic Junction Cemetery is not a real cemetery. It is an area with several society plots.
Temple Emanuel established its own cemetery here. Another Temple Emanuel cemetery exists in Paramus. That one is called Cedar Park Cemetery.
Ahavath Torah Cemetery is part of Passaic Junction. You can find it at 300 Dewey Ave in Saddle Brook.
Directions from the George Washington Bridge are straightforward. Take Route 80 West to Exit 63. Turn right at the stop sign and left onto Essex Street. Essex Street becomes Market Street. Turn right onto Sampson Street. Then turn right onto Dewey Street. Ahavath Torah Cemetery is at the end.
The Ahavath Torah Cemetery Committee can provide more information. Contact the synagogue office for details.
The Cemetery Association of the Jewish Federation of North Jersey manages other cemeteries. These include Americus Lodge and A.M. White Lodge. Also B’nai Sholom Organization and Independent United Jersey Verein. Nathan & Miriam Barnert Organization is included. As are Passaic County Club and Stein-Joelson Lodge. Also Temple Emanuel of North Jersey. Workmen’s Circle branches are represented too. Yanover Lodge is another. Ozorkower Ben Society has a plot here.
Passaic Junction Cemeteries serves as a final resting place. It represents community and heritage. It reminds us of the vibrant Jewish life in Paterson.