Har Nebo Cemetery

History

The organization was established in 1890 by Isaac Levy as the Har Nebo Cemetery Company. That October, the company was granted permission for the construction of the physical cemetery, located in the 23rd Ward of Philadelphia (rural Frankford). It was built on land belonging to deceased David Williams. Burials date back as far as 1892. In 1906, the boundaries of the cemetery were extended further into undeveloped sections of the 35th Ward. This was due to an outbreak of Smallpox in the area. In 1924, the widening of Devereaux Avenue caused territory losses for the cemetery.

In 1955, 32 stones were damaged when suspected juvenile delinquents went on a spree of valdalism across the cemetery. In 1987, a 17-year-old girl was raped at knifepoint on the property.

Modern issues

Har Nebo Cemetery is recognized as a cemetery that is, for the most part, in severe disrepair. Many gravestones are knocked over, much of the ground is unkempt, and the cemetery is often inaccessible. A restoration has been undertaken since 2021 by Friends of Jewish Cemeteries to take ownership of and restore the cemetery to its previous condition.

The cemetery also administers Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Notable interments

• David Cohen, Philadelphia City Councilman
• Harry Gold (1910–1972), atomic spy
• Eddie Gottlieb (1898–1979), American professional basketball coach and team owner
• Samuel Gross (1891–1934), Medal of Honor recipient
• Stan Hochman (1928–2015), sportswriter
• Adolph Hirschberg (1889–1943, American labor leader

References

References

1. Meyers, Allen. (1998). "The Jewish Community of South Philadelphia". Arcadia Publishing.
2. (2022-09-18). "Over 100 volunteers gather in Oxford Circle to restore historic cemetery".
3. Meyers, Allen. (1998). "The Jewish Community of South Philadelphia". Arcadia Publishing.
4. (1890-10-10). "Protest to Council". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
5. (1890-11-01). "Legal Notices". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
6. (1890). "Ordinances and Joint Resolutions of the Select and Common Councils of the Consolidated City of Philadelphia". GMC.
7. (1892-05-04). "Died". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
8. (1906-10-17). "City Ordinances". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
9. (1924-07-16). "City Ordinances". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
10. (1955-05-17). "Vandals Damage 32 Tombstones". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
11. (1987-06-21). "Suspect sought in May 31 rape". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
12. Lowenkron, Hadriana. (25 Jul 2020). "Locked gates and 4-foot-tall grass: Conditions at 2 Philly cemeteries leave families in anguish".
13. Rogelberg, Sasha. (2022-11-30). "Friends of Jewish Cemeteries Completes Second Phase of Restoration Project".
14. Inquirer, Kevin Riordan The Philadelphia. "Conserving Jewish cemeteries, one stone at a time".
15. (2021-11-04). "What our photographers saw on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021.".
16. Lucas, Phillip. (2011-08-04). "SWEEP to help clean this mess". [[Philadelphia Daily News]].
17. (14 February 1974). "1972 death of Harry Gold revealed". The New York Times.
18. Gotlieb, Andy. (30 July 2020). "Improvements being made at Har Nebo, Mount Carmel cemeteries".
19. (1938-11-10). "Hirschberg Monument to Be Erected Sunday". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].