147 – Peoria Hebrew Cemetery
Peoria Hebrew Cemetery, 2807 W. Heading Ave, West Peoria. In Julie’s words: “On Heading Avenue, just before the entrance to Catholic Charities.”
The Jewish Federation of Peoria: “The Peoria Hebrew Cemetery Association, located at 2807 W. Heading in West Peoria, IL, is responsible for the management and upkeep of the Peoria Hebrew Cemetery. This cemetery is used by members of the Jewish faith, either by birth or conversion. If you have converted to Judaism you must provide documentation that is certified by a Rabbi.
For information on purchasing a lot or burial in the cemetery contact Harry or Dee Erlichman at (309)693-9099 or email deeer96@aol.com.”
Billy Dennis, lifelong Peorian and fellow Cub Fan: 0-147
Congrats to Julie for having a keen eye and a penchant for Google.
I misplaced my 2nd memory card with additional photos; I’ll add to this if/when I find it.
March 27th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I believe I’ve seen this marker at Springdale Cemetery.
March 28th, 2007 at 8:12 am
It is a jewish gravestone, I think.
Listened to some newspiece a few years back that explained the whole tree trunk as gravestone thing. Had something to do with some specific jewish denomination.
March 28th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Did the name “Friedman” tip you off to the Jewish thing, Mahkno?
March 28th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Name, nothing. There’s a Star of David prominently displayed above the name. Gee, ya think that means they were Jewish?
March 28th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I’ve already commissioned my headstone…
McDonald’s golden arches in marble.
After all, they, more than anyone (besides myself) contributed to my demise.
It won’t have my name or any reference to religion, just to throw people off and force them to talk about me 100 years from now.
March 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Not shown in the picture, but fronting this “tree trunk” are several (6 or
traditional sized gravestones lying horizontal to the ground in the shape of tree branches.
March 29th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Obviously there are details evident on that tombstone (which I didn’t pay close enough attention to. A quick glance of a tree tombstone –> jewish, without really noticing anything else). The point being there are lots of tree tombstones out there without the obvious star and that it does represent something specific and isn’t just some whimsical death request.
March 30th, 2007 at 7:44 am
“A tombstone with the motif of a broken branch or tree stump often signifies someone who died young.” from here: http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/tombstones.html
“Some gravestones show a tree with branches either outspread or broken off, symbolizing the death of a young man or an old man respectively”
from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_symbolism
March 31st, 2007 at 4:23 pm
It’s not Springdale. How long before I fess up? It will actually make sense after I tell you (that could be a hint in itself).
March 31st, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Is it in St. Mary’s?
April 1st, 2007 at 12:00 am
Nope, though it’s in the neighborhood.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 am
Peoria Hebrew Cemetery! The wonders of google. Actually, never even heard of it, and I pass it at least 2x per week. On Heading Avenue, just before the entrance to Catholic Charities.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 am
I confess, I’d never heard of it either, but I’ve driven past it many times too and curiosity finally got the best of me.