California Registered Historical Landmark No. 765

1. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 765 • Donated by Captain Charles M. Weber in 1851 • Oldest Jewish cemetery in continuous use in California and west of the Rockies • Re-consecrated and Rededicated on December 10, 1961

2. History of Cemetery • Solomon Friedlander passed away 10/4/1851 • Members from “Rhyim Ahoovim” (Hebrew benevolent society) wanted a place to bury their brother • Committee called on founder of Stockton, Captain Charles M. Weber • Weber granted a block of town to be used as cemetery

3. Maintaining the Cemetery • On July 24, 1863, the "Rhyim Ahoovim” officially established the cemetery and paid one dollar fee to the county • 1907: Leo Glick made a complete record of graves and plots • After the death of Mrs. Max (Ida) Lichtenfeld; her garden tools were donated to take care of the cemetery

4. Recent improvements • After 1956, Wrought iron gates and brick pillars erected on North and South sides • Hal Altman contacted CA State Park Commission in 1961 • 1962: Concrete sidewalk and permanent chain link fence added to the property; urn garden added • 1967: Endowment fund created to take care of cemetery

5. Jewish Pebble TraditionRabbi Tom Louchheim • Common beliefs • 1. “An early Midrash Lekah Tov 35:20 relates that each of Jacob's sons took a stone and put it on Rachel's grave to make up Rachel's tomb.” (Represents building of the tombstone) (Louchheim) • Pebbles on the tombstone tell the deceased and others that they have been visited (honored) • Placing the stone reminds you that others are remembering the deceased • Picking up the stone reminds you that you can still feel your loved one, their life has left an impression on you just like the stone can in your hand

6. Jewish Burial Traditions/Practices • Burials take place as soon as possible • Buried in simple pine boxes • Cremation and embalming not allowed • Body is cleaned from head to toe and placed in white burial shroud (If blood is on body it is not washed away) • Body is never left alone from death to burial • Funeral procession is stopped seven times on the way to the grave in order to recite Psalm 91 • After burial, family sits “Shiva” or period of mourning (traditionally 7 days; now 3) where mirrors are covered and guests bring food not flowers

7. Jewish Traditions: from the Jewish Federations of North America • Jewish Death Rituals According to Jewish Law • The body of the deceased is washed thoroughly. • The deceased is buried in a simple pine coffin. • The deceased is buried wearing a simple white shroud (tachrichim). • The body is guarded or watched from the moment of death until after burial. • Just before a funeral begins, the immediate relatives of the deceased tear their garments or the rabbi does this to them or hands them torn black ribbons to pin on their clothes to symbolize their loss. • Upon hearing about a death, a Jew recites the words, "Baruch dayan emet," Blessed be the one true Judge. • http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937

8. Jewish Community in Stockton, CA • Temple Israel established in 1851 • 200-300 Jews came to Stockton due to the Gold Rush • Cemetery land was established first • Charles Weber donated land for building as well leading to the building of the first synagogue (completed August 1855) • 43 members to start • 1866: First known constitution and by-laws created • 1892: Polish Ritual changed to Reform Judaism • 1943: Approximately 1200 Jews living in Stockton. Some were sent to war. Those remaining in Stockton helped refugees settle. • 1993: Current Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff became spiritual leader incorporating more music by creating an adult and children’s choir

9. Sources • http://www.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/time/Life_Cycle/pebbles.htm • http://www.wsjhistory.com/oldest_jewish_cemetery.htm • http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15960 • http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937 • http://ca047.urj.net/(Temple Israel’s official website)