Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Home of Peace Cemetery

One of the best things about having a CDP blog is that you learn more about your own town.   Julie's new meme Taphophile Tragics prompted me to look for more Oakland cemeteries.  Thus I found Home of Peace Cemetery in East Oakland on Fairfax Avenue off High Street.  It is located in a residential neighborhood and is a dedicated Jewish cemetery.  Although I worked in East Oakland for many years, I had never heard of it. 
Unlike the much larger Mt. View Cemetery, the headstones here are of modest size, the landscaping is spare, and there are no grandiose tombs or family crypts.  But it is an active cemetery with recent interments.  Most of the headstones are in English, some are in Hebrew, and a few are in Russian. 
   The earliest grave marker I found was from 1905.  This is the most humble grave marker I saw and thought it very touching.  I somehow think this was according to Mr. Posner's wishes.
You can see there is still room for more burials.  The steepness of the site gives the visitor a view of the Bay.  

Thank you, Julie for nudging me to look harder in my own community.  For more views and commentary on cemeteries from around the world, visit Taphophile Tragics.

21 comments:

  1. Wow, wow and wow. Great post, Carolyn. The first photo, the photo of the simple marker and the finale. Wow.

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  2. I'm very drawn to Mr Posner's marker.

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  3. Very good photographs and a beautiful post. I too liked Mr Posner's humble marker.

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  4. PS: Many cemeteries seem to be built on hillsides that offer stunning views. Perhaps it is to cheer up the visitors? ;-)

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  5. Has a great view over the bay, agree that it makes you learn a bit more of your own town.

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  6. Thanks for this nice insight.
    I'd like to have a marker like Posner's when the time comes.

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  7. There are some special graves here as the two books. The cemetery is very wel situated on the hill.

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  8. Love the rolling hills with green... every cemetery is unique and you have captured the character of this one.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  9. Nice job! I used to ride past Home of Peace on my way to Habitat for Humanity, but never visited.

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  10. I'm going to share your blog on my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/saveagravedotnet

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  11. Shots very significant! Congratulations!

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  12. Always fascinating what one can find in local, or distant cemeteries. Thanks for taking this closer look...

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  13. What a fabulous find! I fell instantly in love with Mr. Posner's. It is fun to learn something new everyday, I have been researching the art in Golden Gate Park, you would be amazed how many of the artists from that era are buried in Mt. View Cemetery - made me think of you as I was researching it all.

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  14. «Louis» found this cemetery by accident not long ago. He suspected that few know of it. An even more isolated Jewish Cemetery is located in rural Contra Costa Country, nestled among the horse ranches east of the San Pablo Reservoir and downhill north from Lafayette. He would like to drive out there and lay a flower on the graves of those who were murdered by Hitler's National Socialists.

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  15. I suppose the marks on the gravestone are not original, the characters seem a bit modern to me, but I am not sure, I have to examine this. About the surname I don't know either what the rules were at that time.

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  16. Gee I am glad the meme is having this effect on you Carolyn. I really enjoyed your post today. You have shown the simplicity of the place with just a couple of images. Wonderful assessment. It strikes me that those laid out here, are as humble as the houses between the cemetery and the Bay, humble is as humble does. I agree that Mr Posner sets an example to us all.

    I did not notice the pages of the 'books' until Marianne pointed them out in her comment. Now to go over to her post and work out what the convesation between the two of you was about.

    I apologise being tardy in getting around to everyone this week. Overwhelmed by a couple of things, but back on track again now. I thank you for your contribution to Taphophile Tragics, and cannot wait to see what you come up with next week. I already have posts planned for Monday Mural a couple of weeks ahead.

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  17. I came here from another blog to visit your murals on mondays. they are all beautiful. I scrolled through many of your post and your photography is magnificent and beautiful.

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    1. I agree about blogging encouraging an interest in one's own city or country.
      Gravestones are fascinating in how they show national differences in style and custom.

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  18. I like how you have captured the "beauty" in a grave yard setting. The last picture of it overlooking the city is really touching !
    Solemn and yet beautiful !

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  19. My beloved father is buried here, and it was awesome to see his burial section in your sweeping photo. The cemetery is well cared for and I find it peaceful to visit.

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