Eastside Historic Cemetery District in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 30, 2021

1. Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Beth El, the first Jewish congregation in Michigan, was organized in Detroit on September 22, 1850, by 12 families. This half-acre cemetery, dedicated on January 1, 1851, was known then as “The Champlain Street Cemetery of Temple Beth El” because Lafayette was formerly called Champlain Street. The first interment was in fall of 1851, and in 1854 Samuel Marcus, the first rabbi of Beth El, was buried here. The cemetery, containing many graves of Jewish war veterans, was in active use until the 1950s.

Erected 1973 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S0241.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1851.

Location. 42° 20.781′ N, 83° 0.908′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in the Eastside Historic Cemetery District. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Lafayette Street and Robert Bradby Drive, on the right when traveling west. The Jewish cemetery is a small section of the south side of Elmwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Elmwood St, Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

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this marker. Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elizabeth Denison Forth (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Players (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Bloody Run (approx. 0.3 miles away); WGPR-TV (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Michigan Colored Regiment (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. John's Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Naval Training Armory Flagpole (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 30, 2021

2. Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery Marker

Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 30, 2021

3. Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery

Markers in the Jewish section

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 30, 2021

4. Michigan's Oldest Jewish Cemetery

The Jewish cemetery is sectioned off in the south end of Elmwood Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 2, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.