Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the lives of those who served in the United States military. For Cleveland’s Jewish community, it’s also a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with family roots and honor the legacy of Jewish veterans who helped shape our city’s history.
Thanks to publicly available cemetery records, it’s now easier than ever to locate burial sites and learn more about Jewish veterans in Northeast Ohio. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, through its Access Jewish Cleveland platform, offers a searchable database of Jewish cemetery records. Families can use this tool to locate loved ones, trace lineage, or simply spend a quiet moment at the grave of someone who served.
This isn’t just about military history. Many of the cemeteries listed in the database, such as Zion Memorial Park, Hillcrest Cemetery, Glenville Cemetery, and Chesed Shel Emeth, tell the broader story of Cleveland’s Jewish experience. These cemeteries are the final resting places for immigrants, rabbis, lodge members, and soldiers. Some date back more than a century.
The cemetery records available through Access Jewish Cleveland were gathered from synagogues, funeral homes, individuals, and community groups. While not every burial is recorded due to missing or damaged records, the effort to compile and maintain this information is an act of memory in itself. Anyone with additional information can contribute corrections or updates to help improve the database for others.
For those exploring their ancestry more deeply, the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland is a helpful partner. They assist people researching family trees, and they welcome beginners and experienced genealogists alike. The Cleveland Jewish Archives at the Western Reserve Historical Society also hold a wealth of documents and records, and the Maltz Museum provides cultural context to help understand the lives behind the names.
At ClevelandLawLinks.com, our mission is to make public records more accessible. These Jewish cemetery records are a great example of how public information can serve both practical needs and emotional connections. Whether you're looking to settle an estate, explore genealogy, or simply visit a grave this Memorial Day, these tools are here to support you.
Memorial Day is not only about looking back. It’s about keeping memory alive. Saying a name out loud, placing a small stone on a grave, or helping improve a public record is a powerful way to honor someone’s life. If you know of a veteran who is not listed in the Jewish cemetery records, consider reaching out to add their name. Every detail matters.
This year, as you reflect on service and sacrifice, take a moment to explore Cleveland’s Jewish cemeteries. You may find more than just a name. You may find a story worth remembering.
Helpful Links/Sources:
https://www.accessjewishcleveland.org/
https://clecornermag.com/
https://www.clevelandjewishhistory.net/
https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/
https://www.jewishcleveland.org/
https://www.jewishgen.org
https://www.maltzmuseum.org/
