Temple Israel Cemetery

Temple Israel Cemetery is a Jewish burial ground in Wakefield featuring orderly rows of gravestones on level terrain. Low-growing shrubs are distributed throughout the grounds, creating a structured landscape for the cemetery.

The Temple Israel congregation from Boston established this burial ground in 1859 as the region's first organized Jewish cemetery. This founding marked an important milestone in the development of Jewish life in the area.

The cemetery reflects Jewish burial traditions through uniform headstones that record birth and death dates along with places of origin for those interred. This practice creates a visible record of the Jewish community members who found their resting place here.

The cemetery is open to visitors during daylight hours with easy navigation thanks to its organized layout. Congregation members can seek assistance for questions about burial lots.

The cemetery follows a straight grid layout that contrasts sharply with the neighboring Lakeside Cemetery, which features winding paths. This design difference reflects distinct philosophies in how burial grounds were planned and used.

Location: Wakefield

GPS coordinates: 42.50917,-71.08028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:48