Cemetery
B' nai Israel (Beni Israel) Cemetery
The Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation owns and maintains the B’nai Israel Cemetery in
Eudora, KS. LJCC members in good standing have burial rights in the Cemetery. Contact the LJCC
office (785.841.7636, LawrenceJCC@gmail.com) for information about purchasing a burial plot or to arrange a burial.
The cemetery contains graves of Jews dating back to the settlement of the Kansas Territories in
the 1850s. The cemetery is listed as “Beni Israel Cemetery” on the National Register of Historic
Places.
The Beni Israel Cemetery was founded in 1858 by territorial settlers who relocated to the area
via the German Immigrant Settlement Company of Chicago. The Cemetery represents the
social history of the Jewish-Americans who made distinctive contributions to the early
development of both Eudora and Lawrence, Kansas.
The Settlement Company had approximately 600 members who paid weekly dues to purchase
land for farms and a new town. In 1857, the Company purchased 800 acres of Shawnee Indian
land from Paschal Fish and laid out a townsite, Eudora, named after Fish’s daughter. The
Company then resold lots and acreage to its members. Of the 29 heads of families who first
arrived in Eudora, 7 were known to be Jewish.
Among the Jewish settlers, Abraham Summerfield was elected to the first Eudora City Council
and also served as its second Postmaster. Adolphus Erb and Asher Cohen also served on the
City Council and Marcus Summerfield was City Clerk. Frederick Deichmann, whose wife and
children were Jewish, also served on the City Council.
This Cemetery is the major surviving property associated with the Jewish community which
flourished in Eudora from 1857-1867 before relocating to Lawrence. Together with the
Leavenworth Jewish cemetery, these two properties are the only Jewish cemeteries established
in Kansas during the territorial period. The name “Beni Israel” is thought to have either been a
misspelling or a colloquialism of the times. The Cemetery, which is used for current burials, is
now known as B’nai Israel, although the historic section retains the “Beni Israel” designation.
Lorraine Lindenbaum z”l, former cemetery committee member, discussed the Historic
Designation saying, “It protects the property from encroachment as the surrounding land is
developed...The designation also signifies to our LJCC membership what a gem we have
locally.”
Directions to the Cemetery
From Lawrence:
· Head east on K-10 for about 10 miles; look for the big cross at the Methodist church
· Take the Church St./E. 2200 Road exit
· Turn right onto Church St./E. 2200 Road
· Take the first right onto N 1300 Rd./E. 20th St., it will curve sharply north and then turn west
· In one mile, turn right onto E 2100 Rd./Winchester Rd.
· The cemetery will be on the lft, at the NW corner of the intersection of Winchester Rd. and W. 20th St.
Pictures of B'nai Israel Cemetery
Pedestrian Entrance to Beni Israel
Hebrew Lettering on Gravestone
View of west and north fence lines where we propose perimeter trees.
Dr. David Katzman’s Cemetery Tour, 2023
Headstone of Cemetery Founder and One of First Eudora Councilmen, Asher Cohn
Looking West to adjacent fields & United Methodist Church in far view
Genizah (traditional burial of worn out Hebrew language religious texts) placed by Lawrence Jewish Congregation, Inc.
Sat, August 16 2025
22 Av 5785
-
Tuesday ,
AugAugust 19 , 2025
Tuesday, Aug 19th 4:30p to 6:30p
All LJCC members are invited to be a part of creating our community mural with local artist Dave Loewenstein! This will be our fourth working meeting with Dave. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 21 , 2025Welcome Back Mixer
Thursday, Aug 21st 8:00p to 9:30p
A Cocktail party to kick off the 2025 - 2026 academic year, reunite with old friends, and welcome new members of the Jewish community. We'll have small bites, tasty beverages, and music. All members of the Lawrence Jewish community are invited to attend! -
Friday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2025Tour of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
Friday, Aug 22nd 3:00p to 4:00p
The LJCC Tikkun Olam Committee invites you to take a tour of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center to learn more about its work. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2025
Friday, Aug 22nd 6:00p to 8:00p
Join LJCC President Rita York Hennecke and other friends and members for a casual dinner and candlelighting at Aladdin Cafe in downtown Lawrence. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 24 , 2025Blintz Rolling!
Sunday, Aug 24th 10:00a to 12:00p
Participate in one of the longest running and deepest LJCC traditions: rolling blintzes together for the Annual Blintz Brunch! Come work with chef extraordinaire Michael Hennecke to prepare this special treat for sale at our annual fundraiser. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 29 , 2025
Friday, Aug 29th 7:00p to 9:00p
Azariah Betzalel leads with a potluck oneg to follow -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 31 , 2025First Aid Training
Sunday, Aug 31st 9:30a to 5:30p
This First Aid Training includes training in identifying and responding to common sudden illnesses such as seizures, strokes, allergic reactions, poisoning and diabetic emergencies. It also will involve the following add-ons: *Life-Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application *Head, Neck, Muscle, Bone, Joint Injuries and Splinting *Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Administration *Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector Administration *Asthma and Quick Relief Medication Administration You will also receive: The Red Cross 2-year Certification and free digital training material Lunch and snacks will be provided. Class cost will be covered by the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant we received in 2024. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 7 , 2025Blintz Rolling!
Sunday, Sep 7th 10:00a to 12:00p
Participate in one of the longest running and deepest LJCC traditions: rolling blintzes together for the Annual Blintz Brunch! Come work with chef extraordinaire Michael Hennecke to prepare this special treat for sale at our annual fundraiser. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 7 , 2025On-site Historical Tour of Beni Israel Cemetery with Dr. David Katzman
Sunday, Sep 7th 4:00p to 5:30p
We are delighted to again have the expertise of Dr. David Katzman, KU Professor Emeritus of American and Jewish Studies, to share with us the fascinating story of the founding, near abandonment, rededication and expansion of the Beni Israel Cemetery in Eudora Kansas. Beni Israel is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. This event is made possible by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council. Participants are invited to gather in advance of the event at 2:30pm at the LJCC for refreshments and carpooling. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025Board Meeting (Hybrid)
Sunday, Sep 14th 9:30a to 11:30a
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84566367488?pwd=czZpU3Y1Uk1MempMejR2WloyWTRudz09 Meeting ID: 845 6636 7488 Passcode: BoardZoom
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