History of Jewish Cemeteries in Raleigh

In 1871, the very small Jewish community in Raleigh purchased land from the Raleigh Cemetery Association, within the boundaries of Oakwood Cemetery. This plot of land, approximately 125 by 35 feet, was reserved for Jewish burials. Today there are 42 graves marked with monuments in the Hebrew section of Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Burials have taken place as recently as 1999. In 2013, the Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery Association paid for expert restoration of the Hebrew section, which included repair and cleaning of the monuments, and restoration of the granite posts and the chain surrounding the graves. One of the monuments restored, the grave of Max Erlanger (1841-1869), marks the first Jewish burial in Historic Oakwood Cemetery, which is located at 701 Oakwood Avenue in Raleigh.

In 1912 the Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery Association purchased land for an independent Jewish cemetery. This property, located east of Historic Oakwood Cemetery, hasan entrance on North State Street. Since its founding, the Cemetery Association has operated as a non-profit volunteer organization.

Charter members of the Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery Association are listed on a plaque at the cemetery gate. Their successors take seriously the mitzvah of burying the dead in accordance with Jewish tradition, and operate and maintain the cemetery as a peaceful and dignified facility.

The original cemetery was two acres; as the Raleigh and Wake County Jewish community has grown, the cemetery has expanded to more than four acres. In 1983 a section was set aside to permit the burial of non-Jewish relatives.