General Sebastian County information. [August 2005]
Fort Smith United Hebrew Congregation: (Reform) 126 North 47th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903; (479) 452-1468. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. [August 2002]
Jewish history and photos: [January 2009]
[UPDATE] Inside the Jewish Community of Fort Smith Arkansas [January 2017]
History of Fort Smith Congregations: Orthodox congregation named B’nai Israel dates from 1913 and closed in 1930s, donating their belongings to United Hebrew Congregation (Reform).
- Cemetery of United Hebrew Congregation of Fort Smith: SW corner of Lexington Avenue and South "H" Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Approximately 52,500 square feet with approximately 350 to 400 gravesites occupied. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 2321 South 25th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
- In 1908, United Hebrew Congregation of Fort Smith, AR was organized and petitioned for incorporation as a benevolent corporation, the successor to Temple Israel and The Hebrew Cemetery Association. The first synagogue was a brick structure erected in 1892. In 1956/57, a new Synagogue was constructed at 146 No. 47th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903. Mailing address for UHC is P.0. Box 8201, Fort Smith, AR 72902. Contact for Jewish Cemetery information: Barbara Turner This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 2321 S. 25th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. (479-723-2312).
- Records exist at (AJA) American Jewish Archive, 3101 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2488; phone (513) 221-1875. United Hebrew Congregation. Cemetery records. 1882-1920. Microfilm No. 2301
The cemetery is for the use of United Hebrew Congregation, but occasionally buried bodies from smaller nearby cities buried, more so in past years than at present. Nominally all Jewish, they do bury non-Jewish spouses. Jewish settlers came to Fort Smith in the 1840's and 50's so the cemetery is quite old. The first formal Jewish organization was the Hebrew Cemetery Association. The synagogue has a copy of the Constitution and a petition for incorporation as a benevolent corporation. The Hebrew Cemetery Association filed for record on June 29, 1888. Evidently, they operated informally prior to that date. One marker in the cemetery dates to 1869. A few are illegible. By the same token, evidence shows a religious organization titled "Temple of Israel" existing since 1886. UPDATE: The first formal Jewish organization was the Hebrew Cemetery Association. The synagogue has a copy of the Constitution and a petition for incorporation as a benevolent corporation. The Hebrew Cemetery Association filed for record on June 29, 1888. Evidently, they operated informally prior to that date on cemetery land purchased from the Catholic Diocese in Little Rock, AR after several Jewish burials had taken place in the mid-1800's. One marker in the cemetery dates to 1869. A few are illegible. Source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Secretary BOT UHC, [April 2004] - UPDATE: Evidence shows a religious organization titled "Temple of Israel" existing since 1886. In 1908, United Hebrew Congregation of Fort Smith, AR was organized and petitioned for incorporation as a benevolent corporation, the successor to Temple Israel and The Hebrew Cemetery Association. Source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Secretary BOT UHC, [April 2004], Records exist at (AJA:) American Jewish Archive, 3101 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2488; phone (513) 221-1875. United Hebrew Congregation. Cemetery records. 1882-1920. Microfilm No. 2301 [May 2004]