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Elzas, Barnett A. Old Jewish cemeteries :where the early settlers interred their dead. [Charleston, S.C.? : s.n., 1903?].
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OLD JEWISH CEMETERIES.
WHERE THE EARLY SETTLERS INTERRED
THEIR DEAD.
Dp Barnett A. Khas Investigates a'
Traditional Jewish Bnrlal Gronnit
on Arclidale Street, but Finds More
Hibernians than Hebrews — The
Stery of a Laiig-FurKutteu Cemetery
on Hanover Street.
One of the most notable traits in the
character of the Jew, is his almost sublime
devotion to his dead. This tender
feeling for his departed loved ones has always
existed and the Jew is significantly
taught in his sacred writings that the
highest form of "loving-kindness"— the
ideal, indeed, of loving-kindness, is that
shown to the dead; for, as the rabbis weli
point out, it is a manifestation of unselfish
love, inasmuch as it can seek no return.
No matter where the Jew is scattered and
dispersed, his first care is to acquire a
burying place for his dead. Hence it is
that we often find a Jewish cemetery before
an organized synagogue or congregation
exists. As a general rule, wherever
a handful of Jews are found there will
also be found a synagogue for worship, a
school for the education of the young,
and a burial-ground for the dead.
The communal history of K. K. Beth
Elohim of Charleston dates back to 1750,
but I am satisfied that several years at
least before this date the Jews of
Charleston met regularly for public worship.

In my investigation into the history of
this community I was puzzled to know
where the old settlers who had died here—
and I know of many — were laid to rest.
The oldest tombstone we have is that of
the Right Rev Moses Cohen, D. D., the
first Chief Rabbi of the congregation, in
the Coming Street Cemetery, and bears
the date 1762. As I just observed, many
Jews died here before that time. Where
were they interred?
After diligent inquiry I was told that
there was an old burial-ground in Archdale
street, which tradition said belonged
to the Jews. I went on a tour of investigation
to the place indicated and only
after several visits did I one day find the
large gate open, so that I could gain ac-