Reverend Jonas Hecht

Hebrew Cemetery
Location: Section 4, Block 4, Lot 15, Space J
(1804-1889)

Jonas Hecht was born in Germany in 1804. In 1835, he emigrated to the United States and found employment as cantor of Norfolk Street Synagogue in New York City.  In 1843, he was one of 12 men who founded a social lodge known as B’nai B’rith, in New York City. The organization quickly grew into prominent organization that provided assistance to Jewish immigrants arriving in the city and then into one America’s most powerful Jewish advocacy groups.

Two of Hecht’s daughters married into the Lowenberg family of Norfolk. Thus, in 1863, he relocated to Norfolk in order to remain close to them. For 15 years, he served as cantor of Norfolk’s first synagogue, Ohef Sholom. When he died in 1889, he was interred in Norfolk’s Hebrew Cemetery.

Reference:

B’nai B’rith founder is honored. Lisa Ellis, Virginian Pilot. 10/25/1982

Biographical information provided by Norfolk Bureau of Cemeteries.

Visitor Information

Visitor Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM - Office located at Elmwood Cemetery.

Free parking inside cemetery.

Admission Cost: Free

Address: 1200 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504

Official web site for more information: www.norfolk.gov/cemeteries

Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation Web Site: www.norfolksocietyforcemeteryconservation.org