Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial festivities kick off this weekend

Cincinnati’s Jewish community launches its bicentennial celebration this weekend with the rededication of Chestnut Street Cemetery, the first Jewish cemetery west of the Allegheny Mountains.

The fenced-in grave site located at Chestnut Street and Central Avenue in West End was established in 1821 to bury the first Jewish settlers in Cincinnati even before the city’s first synagogue, what is now Rockdale Temple, was started.

So, the cemetery anniversary is also the anniversary of the Jewish community.

During the past 200 years, Cincinnati became the birthplace of American Reform Judaism and ordained the first female rabbi in the United States.

The Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial has partnered with the Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, ArtsWave and the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund for programs throughout the year-long celebration.

The rededication of Chestnut Street Cemetery will be at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.