Echo Park in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
First Jewish Site in Los Angeles
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 1, 2021
1. First Jewish Site Marker
The Hebrew Benevolent Society of Los Angeles (1854), first charitable organization in the city, acquired this site from the city council by deed of April 9, 1855. This purchase of a sacred burial ground represented the first organized community effort by the pioneer Jewish settlers.
Erected 1968 by California State Parks, and Jewish Federation Council of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 822.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 4.172′ N, 118° 14.466′ W. Marker was in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It was in Echo Park. It was on Lilac Terrace west of Lookout Drive, on the left when traveling west. Located behind the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 784 Lilac Terrace, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Transverse Ranges. It was also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it was in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World Trade Center Monument (about 600 feet away); Don Sutton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pee Wee Reese (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jaime Jarrín (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gil Hodges (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vin Scully (approx. 0.2 miles away); Duke Snider (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
More about this marker. This marker was stolen and fundraising is underway to replace the marker.
Also see . . .
1. Restoring the First Jewish Site in Los Angeles. Hillside Memorial Park website, article published October 27, 2026. Excerpt:
A bronze plaque once told visitors that a quiet corner of Chavez Ravine was the first Jewish site in Los Angeles. The plaque is gone, and a high school student named Gabriel Katrikh, known to friends as Gavi, is working to put it back. Gavi is a junior at a Los Angeles high school and a Scout in BSA Troop 360. Instead of lamenting the lost heritage, he made it his Eagle Scout project. Now, he is raising money for a replacement plaque and planning a volunteer cleanup of the site. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary is(Submitted on November 9, 2026.)proud to support his work alongside the California Landmark Foundation.by California Landmarks Foundation, 20222. Marker is Missing
2. First Jewish Site in Los Angeles, Wikipedia. Excerpt:
In 1902, because of poor environmental conditions due to the unchecked expansion of the oil industry in the area, it was proposed by Congregation B'nai B'rith to secure a new plot of land in what is now East Los Angeles, and to move the buried remains to the new site, with a continued provision for burial of indigent people. This site, the Home of Peace Cemetery in East Los Angeles, remains operational and is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Los Angeles.(Submitted on November 24, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 1, 2021
3. First Jewish Site Marker
courtesy Water & Power Associates
4. First Jewish Cemetery - 1885
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
