Greenwood Cemetery

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1173 Cascade Cir SW Atlanta, Georgia

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https://www.greenwoodcemetery.org/

About

Greenwood Cemetery: A Historic and Somber Landmark in Atlanta, Georgia Greenwood Cemetery, established in 1904 by William H. Brown and James L. Mayson, stands as Atlanta’s oldest Jewish cemetery and a profoundly significant historical site.

Located within the city’s boundaries, the cemetery’s rich history is interwoven with the development of Atlanta itself, offering a poignant reminder of the past and a place for solemn reflection.

The cemetery’s diverse collection of memorials, spanning Jewish, Greek Orthodox, and Chinese traditions, alongside its association with the Holocaust, makes it a unique and deeply moving destination.

Established in 1904, Greenwood Cemetery’s initial purpose was to serve the burgeoning Jewish community of Atlanta.

Over the years, the cemetery expanded to accommodate diverse faiths, including Greek Orthodox and Chinese communities.

Notable features within the cemetery include a large Jewish section with elaborate headstones, a Chinese section boasting a thirty-foot obelisk with a Chinese inscription, and a church in the southwest corner designed to resemble the Parthenon.

The cemetery’s layout reflects this diverse history, creating a landscape of remembrance and heritage.

A particularly poignant aspect of Greenwood Cemetery’s history is its association with the Holocaust.

Opened in 1965, a Holocaust memorial – the “Memorial to The Six Million” – was erected.

This open-air structure features six white candles representing the estimated six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

The memorial directly addresses the immense loss of life and serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance.

A key element of this memorial is an urn containing human ashes from Dachau concentration camp victims.

A Jewish soldier who liberated the camp brought the ashes home, and the remains were buried at Greenwood, though the exact location of the initial burial marker is currently uncertain.

The “RIF” initials have been linked to Reich Industrial Fat, though historians debate this interpretation, and the image of the memorial stone with the soap bars remains a prominent visual element.

The cemetery’s history also incorporates a significant chapter of historical investigation following the discovery of the soap-making theory in the 1970s.

Jewish architect Ben Hirsch, who lost his family in concentration camps, penned a book detailing his belief that the Nazis produced the soap.

While the U.S. Holocaust Museum initially barred the book signing due to this sentiment, the memorial serves as a place of remembrance and reflection.

The cemetery’s historical significance has been explored by prominent historians and legal scholars, including the work of Anneke Moerenhout, furthering our understanding of this complex period.

Beyond the Holocaust memorial, Greenwood Cemetery holds the graves of several notable individuals, including C.R. Jones, the first African-American council member of Atlanta.

The cemetery’s diverse collection of memorials honors generations of families and individuals, providing a tangible connection to Atlanta's past.

The maintenance of the cemetery is ongoing, ensuring the preservation of these historical markers and the creation of a safe and accessible space for visitors. Greenwood Cemetery utilizes a Photo Volunteer list to save photos of the cemetery’s residents.

The system also includes managing the photo volunteer list, tracking existing data, and sending notifications regarding changes or updates.

The cemetery’s locations and coverage within a certain radius of its boundaries are recorded, facilitating photo requests and targeted volunteering. Greenwood Cemetery is a vital resource for learning about Atlanta’s history, faith traditions, and the enduring impact of the Holocaust.

The cemetery’s continued preservation ensures that this important landmark will remain a place of remembrance and reflection for generations to come.

Resources and Further Information: Greenwood Cemetery Website: [https://www.greenwoodcemetery.org/](https://www.greenwoodcemetery.org/) – The official website contains updates on the cemetery’s operations.

History

Greenwood Cemetery is a significant historical site in Atlanta, Georgia, steeped in a complex and disturbing past.

Originally established in the late 19th century, the cemetery’s name originates from a metal plaque commemorating “For these I weep…” – a poignant phrase from Lamentations 1:16, reflecting the suffering of millions who perished in the Holocaust.

The cemetery’s history is inextricably linked to the Nazi concentration camps and the horrors of World War II, including a notable and controversial element: the alleged presence of soap made from human remains.

The memorial’s design incorporates a large number of names from the Holocaust, highlighting the immense loss of life.

A key element is an urn containing human ashes from concentration camp victims, notably from Dachau.

A Jewish soldier who liberated a concentration camp brought the ashes home, and the remains were buried at Greenwood, though the exact location remains uncertain – the flat stone marker is missing.

The “RIF” initials have been linked to Reich Industrial Fat, though historians debate this interpretation.

The cemetery’s history encompasses a significant period of historical investigation, with prominent accounts and analyses from historians and legal scholars, including the work of Anneke Moerenhout.

The cemetery also represents a poignant connection to the Second World War and to the suffering of victims, and is considered a sacred space to honor those lost.

A section within the cemetery is dedicated to the Hellenic Orthodox faith, reflecting the diverse communities represented within the burial ground.

This section maintains a respect for Orthodox traditions and practices, further contributing to the cemetery's rich and varied historical narrative.

The presence of the Holocaust memorial and the associated historical research continue to draw attention to the cemetery, solidifying its place as a site of remembrance and education.

The ongoing efforts to understand and document the cemetery’s complex history ensure that the stories of those who perished during the Holocaust are never forgotten. Greenwood Cemetery remains a place of reflection, a testament to human suffering, and a symbol of resilience.

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