http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/ms/meridian.htm has Jewish Community history and photos. [January 2009]
Lauderdale County general information. [August 2005] (There is a town named Lauderdale with no cemeteries.) Gravestone inscriptions were covered thoroughly (also recorded inscriptions in the Orthodox cemetery). [See Turitz book mentioned at the top of this page.] and source: Eric J. Brock, Historic Preservation & Planning Consulting, P.O. Box 5877 Shreveport, LA 71135-5877. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Congregation Beth Israel: Reform.
Meridian Jews formed Beth Israel in 1868 and 1874, joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. See history and photos of Beth Israel. [January 2009]
documents exist in (AJA) American Jewish Archives, 3101 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220-2488; phone (513) 221-1875:
Death record book, 1852-1940; list of grave plot assignments and letter of requirements for having a plot, 1937; and letter from committee on the cemetery, stating regulations for removal of bodies from their graves, 1897. Small Collections
Documents exist in (AJA) American Jewish Archives in Vital Statistics File: Tombstone inscriptions from Jewish cemeteries in Claiborne and Eufaula, AL and correspondence concerning these towns. Claiborne, AL and Meridian, MS and various places. Nov. 22, 1978 and July 3, 1979.
Ohel Jacob Congregation, Orthodox. 1895. See congregation's history and photos.In the early 20th century, Ohel Jacob held Saturday morning services from 6 am to 8 am so members could open their stores by 9. In 1990, the few remaining members decided to disband the congregation and sell the 1929 building. The building was ultimately torn down in 2000. [January 2009]
Beth Israel Cemetery: 5th Avenue, west of Highway 39 North.
"In 1868, this burgeoning Jewish community established Beth Israel as Lauderdale County’s first Jewish congregation. Their first act was to acquire land for a cemetery for $100. The Beth Israel cemetery, which is still used by the congregation, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The founding of Beth Israel was spearheaded by David Rosenbaum, Alex Lowenstein, Abraham Threefoot, and G.H. Lesser, who served as President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively." Source. [January 2009]
Established: 1869. Listed as a historical site in 1989, an historical marker marks the entrance to the cemetery. A wall surrounds the cemetery. The gates are usually open during daylight hours. This very elegant site has many extravagant monuments and family plats. Well landscaped and manicured, Temple Beth Israel, a Reform congregation founded in 1869, owns the site. For further information, contact the synagogue at 3641 46th St., Meridian, MS: Phone (601) 483-3193. Sources: Turitz from 1868; (data entry by Shelly Nord), Eric J. Brock, and Turitz burials updated by Julian H. Preisler, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 2/7/1996.
Henry Birnbrey; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. may have additional information.
Letter from the Historic Preservation Division of Archives and History stating that Beth Israel Cemetery has been placed in the National Register o Historic Places. Jackson, MS, Apr. 10, 1989. Correspondence file
Record book of deaths of members of Temple Beth Israel. Sept. 28, 1869-Oct. 17, 1975. Vital Statistics file http://www.americashistoricplaces.com/historymississippi/BethIsraelCemetery.htm:
Ohel Jacob Cemetery: Orthodox. 5th Avenue West of Highway 39 North.
In 1929, Ohel Jacob built a small synagogue and acquired land across from Beth Israel's cemetery. [January 2009]
This cemetery, just down the road from Beth Israel Cemetery, belongs to Congregation Ohel Jacob, founded in 1880 and closed March 1991. A chain line fence surrounds the small well-kept, still maintained cemetery. The gate is locked at all times, but a key is available at Webbs Funeral Home on 7th Street & 26th Ave. in downtown Meridian. The current representative of the remaining Orthodox community in Meridian is David S. Shapiro. Sources: Turitz [see top of this page] compiled circa October 1978 and updated 2/7/1996 by Julian H. Preisler, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.