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

2. History of Cemetery Solomon Friedlander passed away 10/4/1851 Solomon Friedlander passed away 10/4/1851 Members from “Rhyim Ahoovim” (Hebrew benevolent society) wanted a place to bury their brother Members from “Rhyim Ahoovim” (Hebrew benevolent society) wanted a place to bury their brother Committee called on founder of Stockton, Captain Charles M. Weber Committee called on founder of Stockton, Captain Charles M. Weber Weber granted a block of town to be used as cemetery 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 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 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 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 After 1956, Wrought iron gates and brick pillars erected on North and South sides Hal Altman contacted CA State Park Commission in 1961 Hal Altman contacted CA State Park Commission in 1961 1962: Concrete sidewalk and permanent chain link fence added to the property; urn garden added 1962: Concrete sidewalk and permanent chain link fence added to the property; urn garden added 1967: Endowment fund created to take care of cemetery 1967: Endowment fund created to take care of cemetery

5. Jewish Pebble Tradition Rabbi Tom Louchheim Common beliefs 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) 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) 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 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 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 Burials take place as soon as possible Buried in simple pine boxes Buried in simple pine boxes Cremation and embalming not allowed 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 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 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 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 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 Jewish Death Rituals According to Jewish Law The body of the deceased is washed thoroughly. The body of the deceased is washed thoroughly. The deceased is buried in a simple pine coffin. The deceased is buried in a simple pine coffin. The deceased is buried wearing a simple white shroud (tachrichim). The deceased is buried wearing a simple white shroud (tachrichim). The body is guarded or watched from the moment of death until after burial. 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. 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. 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 http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937 http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937

8. Jewish Community in Stockton, CA Temple Israel established in 1851 Temple Israel established in 1851 200-300 Jews came to Stockton due to the Gold Rush 200-300 Jews came to Stockton due to the Gold Rush Cemetery land was established first Cemetery land was established first Charles Weber donated land for building as well leading to the building of the first synagogue (completed August 1855) Charles Weber donated land for building as well leading to the building of the first synagogue (completed August 1855) 43 members to start 43 members to start 1866: First known constitution and by-laws created 1866: First known constitution and by-laws created 1892: Polish Ritual changed to Reform Judaism 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. 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 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.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/time/Life _Cycle/pebbles.htm http://www.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/time/Life _Cycle/pebbles.htm http://www.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/time/Life _Cycle/pebbles.htm http://www.wsjhistory.com/oldest_jewish_cemetery.h tm http://www.wsjhistory.com/oldest_jewish_cemetery.h tm http://www.wsjhistory.com/oldest_jewish_cemetery.h tm http://www.wsjhistory.com/oldest_jewish_cemetery.h tm http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15960 http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15960 http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=15960 http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937 http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937 http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=937 http://ca047.urj.net/ (Temple Israel’s official website) http://ca047.urj.net/ (Temple Israel’s official website) http://ca047.urj.net/