Our Cemetery
A SACRED FAMILY TRADITION FOR OVER A CENTURY
Temple Israel of the City of New York was founded in the year 1870 as Congregation Hand-in-Hand. The congregation was located in Harlem until the 1920’s when it followed the migration of Jews in New York City to the Upper West Side. Forty years later, the synagogue once again relocated to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where it continues today as a vital Reform congregation.
We place great value on the continuity and intimacy of our community — commitments which extend to our cemetery as well. We believe in perpetuating the ideals and ethics of our tradition while incorporating the flexibility and insights of modern society.
Throughout its existence, the cemetery has remained a central and sacred focus of Temple Israel. The Hebrew term for cemetery is “beit olam” — an eternal home. Temple Israel prides itself on maintaining a comforting, dignified, spiritually enriching home for both the living, and those whose spirits continue to dwell among us.
ה׳ב׳צ׳נ׳ת
May their souls be bound up in the bond of Eternal Life.
Nestled in the gently rolling hills of Westchester County, the Temple Israel Cemetery consists of 16 acres of exquisitely landscaped grounds. The lovingly designed landscaping, and the quality of the maintenance are unequaled in any cemetery in the area – and possibly in the entire country. Each spring, the grounds blossom forth in extraordinary displays of colorful foliage.
The cemetery was founded by the first generation of Temple Israel, in 1896. The Board of Trustees of Temple Israel maintains exclusive responsibility for the Cemetery grounds and policies. As a religious institution, our commitment is to the dignity of the deceased, and the comfort and consolation of their loved ones. The graceful design of the cemetery, with spacious family plots and walking paths, provides a serene setting for reflection and meditation. A simple, elegant chapel is also available, adjacent to the main office, for memorial services.
Plots and mausoleums are currently available for purchase. A new section has recently been developed to accommodate large family plots with both headstones and footstones. Plans are also under way to increase the available burial space in other areas of the cemetery.
We also offer several customized landscaping options depending on the location of the plot. Seasonal plantings are offered annually, and special care is taken to preserve ground coverings during the winter.
The Temple Israel Cemetery is unique in the unparalleled individual attention we give to each of our plot owners and families. Temple membership is not currently required for the purchase of burial plots, however only Jewish burials are permitted.
We encourage you to visit our extraordinary property, and consider making this difficult decision in an atmosphere not strained by emotional crisis. Our staff is on the premises during office hours and can acquaint you with the available areas. The cemetery has a variety of grave types including mausoleum crypts, lawn plan areas, niches for cremation urns, and traditional family plots.
Please feel free to visit the Temple Israel Cemetery. The grounds are open for visitation and burials Sunday through Thursday, from 8am – 4pm and Fridays from 8am – 12pm. The cemetery office opens at 8 am, Monday through Friday, and Sunday at Noon.
Temple Israel Cemetery
388 Saw Mill River Road
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
P: 914-478-1343
F: 914-478-4457
Directions By Car From the West Side
West Side Drive to Saw Mill River Parkway.
Farragut Avenue exit on right to Route 9A.
Turn left onto 9A. Cemetery is 1/2 mile on right.
By Car From the East Side
FDR Drive to the Willis Avenue Bridge to the Major Deegan – to the New York Thruway – to Exit 7 (Ardsley).
Turn left onto Saw Mill River Road (9A) and proceed 1½ miles south to Temple Israel Cemetery on left.
By Train
From Grand Central Station to Hastings-on-Hudson on Metro North – Call 212-532-4900 for schedule. Taxis to Cemetery are available at the station.
By Car From the North
Saw Mill River Parkway (southbound) to Lawrence Street Exit.
Turn left and go south on 9A for one-half mile to Temple Israel Cemetery on left.