Waldheim Cemetery

Photos on Stones

Waldheim
Cemetery is the largest Jewish burying ground in Chicago, comprised of over 200
acres. Over 175,000 are interred in these densely designed, but beautiful
grounds.  At one time, gates and
fences divided each cemetery from its neighbor, and each of the 250 cemeteries
had its own rules, regulations, and caretakers. 

A Walkway through the Cemetery

Stones Among the Trees

By
the 1970’s, the few remaining founding organizations and caretakers were
consolidated into the Waldheim Cemetery Company.  The various cemeteries were renovated and returned to a
dignified traditional Jewish cemetery. Waldheim is one of the oldest and
largest, still active Jewish cemeteries in the country.

Hebrew and English

Deer in the Cemetery

Today,
over 100 gates still stand.  Narrow
walks may divide the cemeteries, but few fences remain.  Tombstones usually have an inscription
in Hebrew and English, or Hebrew and German. Wild life can be found near the
forest preserve and the Des Plaines River.

Stones with Photos

Covered Photo

Hundreds
of cemetery stones bear photos of a past age, immigrants new to the country,
but very traditional in their dress and customs. Many
photos are protected with a bronze hinged covering.  The cover may be lifted to view the photo. 

Catalog Tree Stone

Tree
stones abound in Waldheim.  Many
are hand carved with exquisite details. 
Some are catalog-ordered in granite or limestone.  All are beautiful and intriguing.

Glasser Mausoleum

Schwenk Mausoleum

There
are also many mausoleums. 
According to Jewish law, you must be buried in the earth. In order to
comply when burial is in a mausoleum, the deceased may be buried in the ground
and the mausoleum built above, or earth may be placed in the wooden
coffin.  Many times, cemeteries
require concrete vaults.  For this,
earth is put in the liner and then the casket is placed on it.

Balaban-Katz Mausoleum

Stained Glass Window

This
mausoleum is the largest private crypt in the cemetery.  Built with an Egyptian-influence, it is
dedicated to the memory of Ida Balaban-Katz.  The stained glass mausoleum windows throughout the cemetery
are gorgeous.

Peller’s Grave

Clara Peller

A
couple of well-known people are buried in Waldheim.  Clara Peller, who became famous for her line “Where’s the
beef?” in commercials for Wendy’s
fast-food restaurants is interred here. 
Peller was 81 when she did the ads.  She died August 11, 1987, one week after her 85^th
birthday.

Mike Todd & Elizabeth Taylor

Todd’s Grave

Avrom
Hirsch Goldbogen, who took the name Michael Todd, was a theatre and film
producer known for his motion picture, Around the World in Eighty Days.  He
also co-developed a wide-screen film format called Todd-AO (with American
Optical) that was used for Oklahoma, Around the World in Eighty Days, South Pacific and many other films shot during the 1960’s.  Todd was married to Elizabeth Taylor on February 2, 1957.  He died in a plane crash on March 22,
1958 and was buried here.

A Stained Glass Window

Waldheim Cemetery

Waldheim
Jewish Cemetery is located at 1400 Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park.  The cemetery is open Monday through
Friday, and Sunday from 8:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. The cemetery is closed on Saturday
for Shabbat and also on all major Jewish holidays.  The phone number is (800) 222-4541.  Visit their web site at http://www.waldheimcemetery.com for
directions and genealogical information.

Photo and Hebrew on Stone

Many Different Stones

If
you are a cemetery buff, this is one you will not want to miss!  Plan at least half a day, if not more.
Once you begin wandering among the stones, gazing at photos and carvings,
you’ll forget the busy city outside the gates…lost in time and nature.