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The deeds to the land owned by the Israelitic Society 
 by Jeffrey S. Morris

In 1839, soon after the arrival of the Alsbacher Party from Unsleben, Bavaria, Cleveland's Jews formed the Israelitic Society.  It would own the Jewish community's land: the burial ground on Willet Street about a half-mile west of the Cuyahoga River, and the land where our first synagogue would be built, on Eagle Street in what we now call our Gateway District. By 18?? the Israelitic Society had disposed of both properties and would soon vanish from view.

The deeds where the Israelitic Society is grantee (buyer) or grantor (seller) are listed below in order of their date recorded by the Cuyahoga County Recorder, with links to their image on the Recorder's website or on these pages.

For more on my website, please visit links here

Jeffrey S. Morris

May 12, 2025

August 7, 1840   view deed
Josiah Barber sells an acre of land on Willet Street on the near west side to the Israelitic Society for $100. The first burial in what will be named Willet Street Cemetery takes place the same day.

September 17, 1844   view deed
The Great Gift to the Israelitic Society: land on Ohio Street for a synagogue 

Date    NO DEED
The Israelitic Society sells its Ohio Street land to ?????????? for $????

Lloyd Gartner's book says there may have been a few exchanges Did they make money on them? Also their deed had conditions attached. Did those conditions pass on to the next deed or did they vanish?

Date     NO DEED
The Israelitic Society buys land on Eagle Street for first synagogue from ?????????? for $????

Date     NO DEED
The Israelitic Society conveys Willet Street Cemetery land to Anshe Chesed Congregation. Note that names ??? signed as a seller only, names  ??? signed as a buyer only and (names ) signed in both capacities.

Date     NO DEED
Israelitic Society conveys Eagle Street Synagogue land to Anshe Chesed Congregation. Note that names ????? signed as a seller only, names ??? signed as a buyer only and (names ???) signed in both capacities.
 

Jeffrey S. Morris

Jeff is a citizen historian, author of a book on Beachwood's history and Haymarket to the Heights: the movement of Cleveland's Orthodox synagogues from their initial meeting places to the Heights.

His primary website is .

 

He is the Manager of United Jewish Cemeteries.

 

    Learn more on these pages:
      • Israelitic Society 
      • The Great Gift of land for our first synagogue  

9:09 am
 

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