Jonesboro Jewish community was a split between Reform and Orthodox. Reform Jews formed Temple Israel in 1896. Orthodox Jews held services for the high holidays at the Masonic Hall until 1927 with other Jews from such nearby towns as Monette, Trumann, and Manila and never built a building. After 1927, the remaining contingent joined the temple. History and photos [January 2009]
Temple Israel (Reform) 203 W Oak Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Website (870) 932-9333 . [August 2002] The congregation attracted Jews from the area: Paragould, Lake City, Marked Tree, Corning and a few towns in southern Missouri. [January 2009]
CEMETERIES:
Jewish Cemetery (Temple Israel): on Matthews Avenue across from Oak Lawn Cemetery
1897; source: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Historic Preservation & Planning Consulting, P.O. Box 5877 Shreveport, LA 71135-5877. 1899:
First burial was Rabbi Rubenstein.
burial list and photos. [Mar 2014]
Mt Sinai Orthodox Cemetery:
Enter from Blueberry Lane. inactive 1911 to 1974
Lewis Sachs disliked the Jewish Cemetery's permission to bury non-Jewish spouses. He purchased a plot of land right next to the Temple Israel cemetery for use as an Orthodox cemetery but only Lewis Sachs and eight of his family members were ever buried in the Orthodox cemetery. [January 2009]
burial list and photos [Mar 2014