History
The provision and maintenance of a cemetery is one of the first acts taken by a Jewish community, even before establishing a synagogue. The first Jewish cemetery in the New Orleans was established in 1827 on Jackson Avenue. That property was closed to burials in 1866 and was eventually demolished. Most of the remains were moved to Hebrew Rest 1 where a monument lists the names of those individuals. The current cemeteries were established later as shown below.
Isaac Monsanto, a Dutch Sephardic Jew arrives from Curacao
Judah Touro, previously of Jamaica, arrives from Newport, Rhode Island
First Jewish Cong. Shangari Chasset, Gates of Mercy, is charted by German Ashkenazi Jews, and is located at 2000 Jackson Avenue, then in Jefferson Parish. First Jewish cemetery in New Orleans established at that location as well.
Nefutshoh Yehudah, Dispersed of Judah, in honor of Judah Touro, chartered by Sephardic Jews
Judah Touro donates land at the north end of Canal St. for a Dispersed of Judah cemetery. A few years later he dies and is buried there. In 1854 he is exhumed and buried with his family in Newport.
Shangari Chasset acquires Elysian Fields land for a new cemetery on Gentilly Ridge high ground
Jackson Avenue cemetery is closed to interments
Congregation Temple Sinai is chartered as first Reform Synagogue in New Orleans. Many members of Shangari Chasset leave to join the new Reform synagogue.
Shangari Chasset gives all rights to their cemeteries to Temple Sinai. Shortly afterwards Hebrew Rest Cemetery Association is established.
Great Yellow fever epidemic occurs in New Orleans creating mass burials in Jewish cemeteries
Shangari Chasset, Gates of Mercy, joins with Dispersed of Judah to create one congregation, Gates of Mercy of the Dispersed of Judah. Over time the congregation is known as Touro, until 1937 when name change officially becomes Touro Synagogue.
Upon closing of the Louisiana Cotton Exposition, massive iron entry gates are relocated to the entrance of Hebrew Rest on Elysian Fields, as shown in the accompanying photograph.
Hebrew Rest Cemetery Association acquires a square of ground on Frenchmen Street for Hebrew Rest #2 cemetery.
Additional property on N. St. Anthony Street adjacent to Dispersed of Judah is purchased
Land on Pelopidas Street for Hebrew Rest #3 is acquired
Shangari Chassad Jackson Avenue cemetery is expropriated and demolished by City of New Orleans for a playground. Most remains are relocated to Hebrew Rest #1 with a monument placed along the south central brick wall memorializing the names and dates of death
Mausoleum is built in Hebrew Rest #3
Urn garden is created to meet alternative demands.
Additional property is acquired at the rear of #3 for a new phase including a gazebo.
Additional Urn garden created.