Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision, Values
    • FAQs
    • Officers, Board, and Staff
    • Affiliations
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Cincinnati’s Jewish History
    • 200th Booklet
  • Products & Services
    • Monuments & Markers
    • Pre-Arrangements
    • Other Services
  • Our Cemeteries
    • Loveland Cemetery
    • Walnut Hills Cemetery
    • Montgomery Cemetery
    • Hamilton Cemetery
    • Price Hill Cemeteries
    • Covedale Cemeteries
    • Clifton Cemetery
    • Chestnut Street Cemetery (1821-1849)
  • Genealogy
  • Programs
    • Art Competition
    • Genealogy
    • Customs and Traditions of Mourning
    • City-Wide Teen Community Service Day
    • Jewish Cemetery Tours
  • Donate
    • Friends Campaign
    • Legacy Gifts / CYJL / Guardians Legacy Society
  • Newsletters
    • Current
    • Archives
      • March 2020
      • November 2019
      • July 2019
      • March 2019
      • December 2018
      • August 2018
      • May 2018
      • February 2018
      • December 2016
      • April 2016
      • July 2016
      • December 2015
      • September 2015
      • June 2015
      • February 2015
      • November 2013
      • July 2013
      • March 2013
      • December 2012
    • Directory
  • Contact
Home / History of Kraft Memorial at Covedale Cemeteries

History of Kraft Memorial at Covedale Cemeteries

Rabbi Marcus Crystal, Staff Scholar, Cincinnati Community Kollel

On the 14th of October, 1945, a memorial was erected at Covedale Cemeteries, dedicated to the Jewish casualties of World War II that were unable to be brought home for burial. The monument listed 61 names of Jewish Cincinnati’s own.

Approximately 550,000 Jewish men and women served in the United States armed forces during WWII, which totaled 4.23 percent of all service members in the U.S. armed forces. Amazingly, this was higher than the Jewish percentage of the total U.S. population at that time, which was 3.3 percent. The 61 soldiers from Cincinnati were among the 7,000 Jewish combat deaths. The Jewish contribution to the battlefield was noted by personalities none other than President Roosevelt and General Douglas McArthur. Indeed, 26,000 Jewish soldiers were recognized with awards for valor in combat, with three awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Cincinnati area threw itself into the war effort, most significantly sending off almost 100,000 people to the armed forces. Cincinnati contributed in other ways, as well. Hamilton County alone raised over a billion and a half dollars for the war effort through the sale of War Bonds. Many Cincinnati businesses applied their manufacturing abilities toward the war effort. Fashion Frocks, which was a Jewish-owned business, stopped making dresses and began making parachutes; Crosley radio began producing military model radio transmitters; and manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble began loading and packing artillery shells.

The Covedale Cemeteries monument was very likely the first monument to Cincinnati’s fallen who fought in the second World War. Covedale Cemeteries serviced many of the Orthodox congregations of Cincinnati, including the still functioning Golf Manor Synagogue and Knesseth Israel (now Congregation Zichron Eliezer). The project was spearheaded by the B’nai Brith chapter of Greater Cincinnati, forming the War Memorial Committee, and chaired by Louis Weiland. The Covedale Cemeteries Association and all its associated synagogues took part as well. B’nai Brith has continued to honor the memories of the fallen with a service held every year at the memorial, which is now part of the Robert S. Kraft memorial garden.

To this day, the memorial in the Covedale Cemeteries, part of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, remains a prominent tribute to Cincinnati’s fallen soldiers.

  •  

    Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial
    Facebook   DONATE FIND A GRAVE

     

  • News & Info

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    5 days ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We had the great honor of hosting Roberto Mighty and crew this week in preparation for the second season of "The World's Greatest Cemeteries." Thank you to Jack Rabenstein and ALL community members who made this project happen! ... See MoreSee Less

    This content isn't available right now

    When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    2 weeks ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We can't wait to welcome American Public Television (APT) to our cemeteries next week as they film the second season of “World’s Greatest Cemeteries." We look forward to sharing the incredible history of the Chestnut Street Cemetery and highlighting the important contributions of those buried in our cemeteries. Learn more in this Cincinnati CityBeat article.#JewishCemeteries #JewishCincy200 ... See MoreSee Less

    Cincinnati’s Jewish Cemeteries to be Featured on American Public Television's 'World’s Greatest Cemeteries' Series

    www.citybeat.com

    American Public Television will be coming to the Queen City June 30 and taping will continue through July 1.
    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    4 weeks ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We are thrilled to share that JCGC Board Member Marlene Ostrow was honored with the Mesel Wieder Mensch Award at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Sustainers event on Wednesday. You might know Marlene as a dedicated volunteer who serves as the Chair of JCGC's Create Your Jewish Legacy Team, former Co-Chair of the Chestnut Street Committee, and as a member of the JCGC Executive Committee, Marketing Committee, and 200th Committee. This is all in addition to the volunteer work she does with many area organizations. Marlene is a “doer” who gets things done and leads by example. We are grateful to have her talents on the JCGC Board. Join us in giving Marlene a big “mazel tov!”The Mesel Wieder Mensch Award was established in 1999. The award recognizes a member of the Cincinnati Jewish Community who personifies the meaning of the Yiddish word “Mensch.” A mensch is someone who is sensitive and cares about other human beings and is concerned about and works for the Jewish community. They do this without fanfare or any expectation of public recognition.Pictured: Marlene Ostrow, JCGC Board Member, and David Harris, Executive Director of JCGC#JewishCemeteries ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Quick Links

  • American Israelite Newspaper
  • Weil Kahn Funeral Home
  • Genealogy Database
Mail icon
Subscribe to our mailing list

Join our mailing list to get newsletters delivered to your email inbox.

Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
3400 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-961-0178

©2022 • Site Map