Chambersburg in Franklin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Israel Benevolent Society Cemetery

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

1. Israel Benevolent Society Cemetery Marker

Inscription.
Consecrated in 1844, this cemetery provided a place for Jews to be properly buried under the requirement of Judaic law. Founded by Chevrah Kaddishah (Holy Burial Society), it is the first Jewish cemetery west of Philadelphia formed during a period of great westward migration in the mid-19th century. Jewish residents of the area are buried here, as is Isaac Burgauer, the only southern Jewish casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg interred in a northern Jewish cemetery.

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 39° 56.014′ N, 77° 39.356′ W. Marker is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County. Marker is on East Washington Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 359 E Washington St, Chambersburg PA 17201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chambersburg Market House (approx. ¼ mile away); Masonic Temple (approx. ¼ mile away); Franklin County World War I Memorial

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(approx. ¼ mile away); 232 South Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Suesserott House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Highway Enterprise (approx. 0.3 miles away); Donald "Mike" Waters Memorial Playground (approx. 0.4 miles away); Burning of Chambersburg (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chambersburg.

Also see . . .
1. Old Jewish Cemetery, Chambersburg, PA. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. Israel Benevolent Society Cemetery - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

3. Isaac Burgauer. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on February 27, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Chevra Kaddishah image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

2. Chevra Kaddishah

The Israelite Burial Society Cemetery
"Old Jewish Cemetery"
Consecrated 1844 Restored 2000
The preservation of these sacred grounds is made possible through:
The Isaac Stine Trust
The generous gift of Jule Himelfarb

Grave Stones in Old Jewish Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

3. Grave Stones in Old Jewish Cemetery.

Many are overgrown and unreadable.

Marker and cemetery entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, May 18, 2008

4. Marker and cemetery entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,388 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.