Please join the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven and New Haven Preservation Trust for a joint members-only tour of the chapel in Congregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery, located in Westville at the corner of Whalley Avenue and Jewell Street. Peter Alpert, chair of the Congregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery Committee, will speak about the architecture and history of the chapel and highlights of the cemetery.
Created in 1843, this cemetery was the first Jewish cemetery in Connecticut and is still in active use. Designed by Ferdinand Von Beren, the chapel was built in 1910 and restored in 2015. The building, its furnishings, and unique stained-glass windows are almost entirely original. It is built of brownstone quarried at West Rock and contains mid-19th century wood furniture brought from Bavaria by congregants. It is still used for funerals, but is not open to the public.
This tour is open to Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven and New Haven Preservation Trust MEMBERS ONLY. Attendance is limited to the first 25 registrants from each organization.
The cemetery has entrances on Whalley Avenue, Jewell Street, and Blake Street. Please park on the street or along the paved drives inside the cemetery, ensuring that other cars can pass.
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Co-sponsored with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven.