Temple Israel Cemetery
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Temple Israel Cemetery is a 5.9-acre Jewish burial ground on North Avenue in Wakefield, Massachusetts, beside Lake Quannapowitt. Boston's Temple Israel, the first synagogue established in that city, began the cemetery in 1859. Two other Boston congregations placed their cemeteries in Lynn and Brookline. About 600 stones remain, with death dates from 1860 to 1984. The earliest markers, near the water, are marble tablets, many with Hebrew inscriptions. Twentieth-century markers are lower and wider, often semi-circular, and usually granite or limestone. They record place of birth and often place of death, and the uniformity of size, material and message is notable. Unlike the neighboring Lakeview Cemetery, with its curving paths and rolling ground, this one is laid out on an orderly grid on flat land, planted mostly with low shrubs. Rabbi Joshua Liebman, a noted author, is buried here. The site is significant locally for its association with Temple Israel and its intact setting and design.
Significance in brief: The cemetery is tied to Temple Israel, described as Boston's first established synagogue, and contains the grave of Rabbi Joshua Liebman, a noted author. It is laid out on an orderly grid and retains integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. It is considered significant at the local level under Criterion A and Criteria Consideration D.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 89000753, listed July 6, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | North Ave., Wakefield |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 6, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000753 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as an immaculate cemetery with no leaning or fallen stones; marble stones from the 1860s-90s show acid rain damage and are becoming illegible. |
| Acreage | 5.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.50932, -71.07964 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 89000753.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7698600
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.