Mikveh Israel Cemetery is the oldest cemetery of Jews in the city of Philadelphia. It is situated on the Eighth and Ninth Street of Spruce Street. Tourists who want to visit the Cemetery need to call the Mikveh Israel Synagogue for making prior arrangements. There are a number of graves in Mikveh Israel Cemetery where eminent Americans like Nathan Levy, Michael Gratz, Aaron Levy, Phillip Moses Russell, Haym Solomo, Rebecca Gratz, Benjamin Nones were buried.
History of Mikveh Israel Cemetery
Nathan Levy established the Mikveh Israel Cemetery in 1738 as a private burial ground. The land on, which the cemetery is established was granted to him by the famous Penn family. The cemetery was later officially transferred to the Mikveh Israel Synagogue, which was the only Jewish house of worship in the colonies
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during the period of Revolution. The financier of the Revolution, Haym Salomon, is buried in this cemetery in an unmarked grave.
In 1740, the cemetery was located in a 30' x 30' plot. In 1752, Nathan Levy received an additional grant of land. Later, in 1765, John Penn granted another piece of land to Mathias Bush, a member of Mikveh Israel for burial purposes. Thus, the present area of the cemetery covers 60 ft. on the north of Spruce Street and 127 feet in towards the Manning Street. On the east lies the Darien Street and on the west is the Schell Street.
On 6th August, 1956, the cemetery was included in the Independence National Historical Park by Public Law. The administration, care or maintenance of the cemetery is the sole responsibility of Mikveh Israel Synagogue. Mikveh Israel Cemetery in Philadelphia is a popular cemetery of the Jewish community, where many legendary figures were buried.
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