Shearith Israel Memorial Park (Historical Marker)

In 1886, the state of Texas approved a charter for congregation Sharis Israel (meaning remnant of israel) and cemetery. The new congregation was organized by Dallas-area Jews, who first met for services in a grocery store and then in other buildings. The orthodox burial ground was in use by the early 1880s, though the first cemetery land was purchased in 1887. In 1892, the congregation purchased property to build a permanent synagogue. Additional land was purchased for cemetery use in the early 20th century. From 1913-17, the Women’s Auxiliary conducted a beautification project on the cemetery grounds. In June 1917, the name of the congregation and cemetery changed to Shaareth Israel, and again, in 1936, to Shearith Israel. The earliest burial in Shearith Israel Memorial Park dates to 1881. The cemetery features curbing, vertical stones, obelisks, grave houses, Woodmen of the World gravestones, and a ritual hand washing facility. The star of David symbol is also present throughout the property. The burial ground includes a number of monuments, tablets, and a genizah marker, where discarded sacred books and religious objects, unusable due to wear and tear, are buried. Among the interred are Rabbis, cantors, business and community leaders, veterans of military conflicts, and survivors of the Holocaust. The active cemetery continues to serve congregation Shearith Israel, while remaining a chronicle of the synagogue and the pioneers of the Jewish community in the Dallas area.

Shearith Israel Memorial Park is a historical marker in Dallas, Dallas County, dedicated in 2010. It is one of 348 historical markers documented in Dallas County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 531 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.7793, -96.7374 near Dallas. The nearest cataloged historic site is Shearith Israel Memorial Park (cemetery), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Beeman Memorial Cemetery, Lagow, and Steel Dust, Fabulous Quarter Horse.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016727. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.