Address: 8th and Spruce Streets
Phone: (215) 922-5446
Hours: By appointment only.
How To Get There:
VIA PATCO (NJ): Take PATCO westbound to 8th & Chestnut. Exit at Chestnut Street. Walk south on 8th past Walnut and Locust Streets before arriving at Spruce.
Driving: From Market Street heading east, turn right on 8th Street. Park at 8th & Chestnut.
SEPTA: Take one of five bus lines to 8th & Market. Walk south, passing Chestnut, Walnut and Locust Streets before arriving at Spruce.
Parking:AutoPark Garage: 8th & Chestnut Streets
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Mikveh Israel Cemetery: Jewish resting place since the American Revolution
Mar 12, 2010
Located on Spruce Street, the Mikveh Israel Cemetery serves as the final resting place for prominent Jewish citizens living during the Revolutionary War era. The cemetery is included in Independence National Historical Park and is also recognized nationally as a shrine. The cemetery holds over 20 servicemen from the American Revolution and even more served in the War of 1812.
The cemetery commemorates the history of the Jewish people in Philadelphia. Among the first colonists, Jewish traders and settlers congregated officially in newly-founded Philadelphia as early as the mid-eighteenth century. Founded in 1740, the cemetery pre-dates the formal establishment of Mikveh Israel Congregation in 1770, demonstrating the established Jewish community in Philadelphia.
Pursuant with Jewish law, there is an importance placed on the necessity of the bodies of the dead being buried on holy ground. Because of this, it was the early congregation’s objective to obtain a significant amount of space for Jewish burial purposes.
The cemetery holds a list of notable names, including Nathan Levy (who essentially organized the plot initially), Rebecca Gratz (inspiration of Rebecca in Ivanhoe), Haym Salomon (who obtained funding for the American Revolution, at one point imprisoned by the British) and Michael and Bernard Gratz, signers of the Stamp Act.
During British occupation, the British troops would aim at the cemetery for target practice; for this reason, a wall was erected. Nathan Levy purchased a newspaper ad discouraging the act around the same time.
On approach, the cemetery is very unassuming. Upon broader view, it is clear that the cemetery occupies a comparably large amount of city space. It’s possible to discern the older sections of the cemetery from the new and the spaces that are family plots from those that are not. A wall still stands with plaques along it, and an iron, decorative fence closes off the entrance during off-hours.
In remembrance of their service to the country, patriots’ and veterans’ graves are marked by colonial American flags. A solid, aging tree spans protectively over the graves as though watching over those interred.
- by Tara M. Clapper, Philadelphia Reporter for HelloMetro
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Tara M. ClapperTara M. Clapper is a full-time freelance writer residing just outside of Philadelphia. Tara enjoys exploring traditional and historical locations in the city as well as quirky and innovative restaurants and attractions. Tara utilizes her background in academic, service-based and traditional publishing to create insider-perspective articles. Her topics of interest include travel, weddings, Irish American culture, and geek subculture.
