In 1859, five years after the founding of Temple Israel, the congregation acquired land in Wakefield for use as its cemetery. Now, a century and a half later, the cemetery remains an important resource for Temple Israel and its members, as well as a window on the history of Jewish Boston. A community memorial service there on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend is a longstanding Temple Israel tradition.

For information on plot purchase, call Temple Israel's Adminstrative Manager, Susan Misselbeck at 617-566-3960 or email susanm@tisrael.org. If you are interested in joining Temple Israel's Cemetery Committee, contact David Passer at 617-566-3960.

To reach the Cemetery from Boston, follow Route 95 North to exit 39 Wakefield and go right at the bottom of the exit ramp onto North Avenue. Continue a short distance to Beacon Street, a small street on the left bordered by two cemeteries. The Temple Israel Cemetery is on the right side of Beacon Street.

Memorial Service For generations, Temple Israel has held an Annual Memorial Day Service at its cemetery in Wakefield. Since 1859, the cemetery has been an important aspect of Temple Israel, and the Memorial Day observance has been a well-honored tradition. In fact, Temple archival records show that on May 5, 1912 more than 200 people came by horse and buggy for the service. The Memorial Day Service is not only for families who have friends or relatives buried at Wakefield; the entire Temple community is invited to take part in this memorial tribute. This year the service will take place on May 27, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. Rabbi Elaine Zecher will officiate.