B’Nai Yaakov Cemetery

Of the three Jewish Cemeteries in St. Joseph, B’Nai Yaakov is by far the youngest. It is associated with the conservative synagogue of that name and like that synagogue, its name officially changed to B’Nai Sholem when Shaare Sholem and B’Nai Yaakov synagogues merged. The cemetery is quite small, with approximately 300 graves. It is still active, though the number of internments is quite small in recent years.

Burials at B’Nai Yaakov Cemetery on Rochester Rd. appear to have begun in the early 1920s (there are about 5 graves with death dates that pre-date 1920, but those appear to have been moved from elsewhere). The death certificates for some who were buried here in 1921/22 give the place of burial as “New Jewish Cemetery.”

Many of the families who are found here were Russian/Ukrainian immigrants. Among the most interesting of those is the Frumhoff family. Rabbi Josshua Frumhoff (1850-Jan. 8, 1922) died as a result of his injuries when a porch he was standing during a funeral service collapsed. The funeral was for Elizabeth Zidell, who had died of stomach cancer, and was buried at the new cemetery in December 1921. Shortly after she was followed by Rabbi Frumhoff. The Frumhoff family immigrated to the United States in 1905 and 1906 and soon took up residence in St. Joseph. The oldest son, Isadore (a photographer), led the way and was soon followed by his parents, five sisters, and two brothers. The elder Frumhoffs were active in the conservative Jewish community and the children found spouses here. 

“Scouting Out a Cemetery,” St. Joseph News-Press, Aug. 14, 2011; “Aged Rabbi Hurt in Porch Collapse Dies,” St. Joseph Gazette, Jan. 9, 1922; “Meet as Strangers,” St. Joseph News-Press, June 22, 1931; “Mrs. Jennie Rich,” St. Joseph Gazette, Sept. 7, 1959; “Jake Rich,” St. Joseph Gazette, Feb. 9, 1979;