The Beth Haim cemetery at Jodensavanne in 1946
The Beth Haim cemetery at Jodensavanne in 1946
"wat er overbleef van het kerkhof en de synagoge op Jodensavanne in Suriname", F. Oudschans-Dentz, W.I.G. 1948, 29 jrg., p.210-224
In 1943-46, during the second world war, a group of war internees carried out a cleanup and research programme at the Jodensavanne. They made a complete inventory of the Beth Haim cemetery, and produced an accurate map. They tried to decipher as many stones as possible, but failed in most cases, as their knowledge of portuguese and hebrew was limited. In all, 59 of the 436 graves were partially deciphered. Nonetheless, their efforts resulted in a 1948 research article by Fred Oudschans-Dentz, which is still the leading source of information on the cemetery.
In 1997 and 1999 a much more thorough research was carried out by the American historian Aviva Ben-ur and her team. In 1997 the Cassipora cemetery was studied, and in 1999 the Jodensavanne Beth Haim cemetery. She has charted both cemeteries, and deciphered all inscriptions at both cemeteries. Her research is not yet published; hopefully this will happen very soon.
Following are english translations of the 1946 research:
1 Grave of the blissful Mozes de Samuel De Meza ; who died the first Tebet 5550, corresponding with 8 December 1789, at the age of 49 years, 2 months and 17 days. His soul rest in peace.
2 Grave of the child Rephael del Castilho, son of Mozes Robles de Medina, who died on the 12 Sabbath 5540, corresponding with 19 January 1780, at the age of 3 years, 6 months and 20 days. His soul rest in peace.
6 Grave of the child Mirjam Rahel, daughter of David Bueno de Mesquita who died on the 28 Tisry 5567 corresponding with 10 October 1806, at the age of 9 months and 2 days.
9 Jacob Haim Robles de Medina who died on the 10 February 1832 at the age of 64 years and 19 days.
16 Jacob de Miranda born on the 8 August 1789 and who died at the 30 June 1849.
17 Grave of the old man Ishak de David Baruch Louzada, who died on the 9 Yiar 5559 corresponding with 14 May 1799 at the age of 78 years.
18 Grave of de blissful Roza Hana the wife of Isak de David Baruch Louzada who died on the First Tamuz 5533, corresponding with 22 June 1773, at the age of almost 49 years. Her soul rest in peace.
"Rosebuds, ease the grieving pain. The rose that is buried here, do not mourn her as unlucky or unfortunate. Her virtues gave her soul such a good reputation, that she reached heaven with the devout."
19 Hazan Lousada
H Until the end his friends felt in general
A his devotion that was so great.
Z He made an effort to please God
A and to be agreeable to all his brethren
N and lived for nothing else; and as a reward to die unconcerned.
L
O He absolutely deserved
U
S
A His fortunate dead delighted all.
D Without pain he quickly reached heaven
A notwithstanding the pains he endured.
20 Grave of the child Rachel daughter of Hazan D. B. Louzada; who died on the 26 Adar If 5546 (= 1786), at the age of 4 months and 26 days. May her soul rest in peace.
?? Grave of the child Mozes, son of Hazan D. B. Louzada who died on the 28 Yiar 5545 (=1785) at the age of 22 months and 20 days. May his soul rest in peace.
26 Grave of the child Ishak Uz ..D. Avilar, son of Jab.Gabay Fonseca Junior who died on the 22 Yiar 5549 (= 1789), at the age of 3 months and 6 days.
35 Grave of the aged lady Reina Cahanet, widow of the very noble gentleman H. H. Meir A. Cohen who died on the 16 Nissan 5561, corresponding with 30 March 1801, at the age of 90 years. May her soul rest in peace.
40 S.B.Louzada / born: 9 Januari 1792 / died 5 August 1873.
41 Grave of the blissful Mozes Rafael Blanes; who died on the 18 Sivan 5575, corresponding with 26 June 1815, at the age of 68 years 3 months and 7 days.
42 Grave of the respectable, pleasant and unfortunate Judith Mulier, the wife of Abraham Haim Arias, who died at the age of 28 years and 8 months on the 18 Tebeth 5524, corresponding with 21 December 1763. May her soul rest in peace.
48 Grave prepared during his lifetime, of Jacob H. H. Cotino; who died on the 4 Ab. 5548, corresponding with 14 December 1788 (=1787).
53 Grave of the noble youth Josef Arias Carvalho; who died on the 7 Adar 5545, corresponding with 17 February 1785, at the age of 19 years and 10 months. May his soul rest in peace.
59 Grave of the blissful and virtuous De Abraham Mendes Vais born in Livorno in the year 5458, corresponding with the year 1697. And he prepared this grave during his lifetime at the age of 64 years and died on 1 May (1761).
61 Grave of the aged Izak E. Abraham de Aguilar; who died on the 5 Kislev 5522, corresponding with 29 Nov. 1762 (=1761).
64 Grave of the blissful Mozes Hisq.n Naar, who died on the 31 Nissan 5545, corresponding with 2 April 1785.
70 Grave of the aged H. Naar Mora, who died on the 11 Elul 5576, corresponding with 13 September 1816, at the age of 73 years, 2 months and 19 days. May his soul rest in peace.
?? Grave of the aged Sarah, wife of H. Naar Mora, who died on the 8 Hisvan 5560, corresponding with 6 November 1800 (=1799) at the age of 49 years, 1 month and 21 days. Her soul rest in peace.
82 Here rests the lady Rachel Jessurun formerly widow of Jacob Nunes Mergado later widow of M.H. Nahar. Born on the 13 May 1762. Died on the 24 January 1843.
83 Here rests Mozes Hisquiao Nahar, who was born on the 9 Hesvan 5524, and died on the 4 Ab. 5587 or 28 July 1827. He lived 63 years 8 months and 24 days. May his soul rest in peace.
88 From the child Abigail, daughter of Jos. de Sam. H. de la Parra; who died on the 28 Hisvan 5570, corresponding with 3 November 1809, at the age of 5 months and 24 days.
102 Grave of the blissful, wise and honored gentleman Mordechai Mozes Quiros, who worked as envoy for the "Gemeente Beracha Ve Salom" during 54 years. And with fame and noble character he died at the age of 84 years on the 9 Sivan 5537, corresponding with 14 Juni 1777.
103 Grave of the child Mordechai, son of Mendes Quiros; who died on the 16 Hesvan 5530, corresponding with 16 November 1769. May his soul rest in peace.
"Mordechai received this gloomy tomb as shelter and with his death interrupted the happiness of Mordechai"
108 Grave of Joseph de la Parra, who died on the 19 Sivan 5587, corresponding with 23 Juni 1818 (=1827) at the age of 32 years, 7 months and 12 days
"Leaving behind in tears an old father whose only son he was, and a wife with three children. - Full of earthly possessions, and beloved by my son, I thought myself lucky, until death with a final blow changed my luck, and left me deprived. - Oh my son, if your hopeless father still must live since he lost you, it is only to deserve to see where in heaven you found your place. - Therefore I shall patiently carry my sorrow; I shall show how much one can endure and bravely accept my gloomy life; For Josef said "Father live!". Oh dear son, I feel it is my punishment to cry and sigh until my death"
119 Grave of the virtuous and noble Benjamin, son of lsak Henriquez de Granada, who died on the Sabbath day, 27 April 1771, at the age of 27 years, 1 month and 27 days. "Enjoy, oh hard stone, this ice-cold corpse. For it is of no importance that the soil possesses (the corpse), as the noblest part that belongs to heaven already rose to relish its mental state. This soul so overloaded with virtue gave the living a big comfort. For he who lives with God can give all souls everlasting marvelous glory"
120 Grave of the respectable Abigail Muhler, the wife of Samuel Henriquez de Granada, who died on the 9 December 1770, at the age of 27 years, 10 months and 6 days, after she was married 6 weeks and 4 days. May her soul rest in peace.
143. (Grave) of the dignified and virtuous gentleman David Jessurun Lobo; in his lifetime manager of the holy parish "Beracha Ve Salom" and captain of the "Joodsch-Portugeesche divisie" in Suriname. Who died on the 6 Sivan 5576, the first day of Easter, corresponding with the 2 June 1816 at the age of 58 years and 6 months.
146 Gracia van Emden born de la Parra, born 9 December 1804, married 2 July 1826, and died on the 8 August 1827.
"This marble stone covers a virtuous wife. Because of her love for her parents and her faithfulness in her marriage; because of her motherly love for her child. Full of kindness was she, loved by all. She dried many a person's tears, but tears flow over her grave in abundance. God called her so early to heaven, while she was already an angel on earth."
149 Solomon de la Parra, born 12 April 1778 , died on the 2 May 1855
150 Here lays buried Mordehai de la Parra, born 20 January 1809, died 2 October 1841.
165 Widow Josua de la Parra born Fernades, born 12 August 1763,died 31 May 1851.
166 Grave of the noble youth Salomo, son of Jeosua de la Parra; who died on the 4 Tamuz 5563, corresponding with 24 July 1803, at the age of 19 years, 4 months and 5 days
"Under this cold stone rests someone who was modest, excelled above all and gave his parents happiness. As a reward he wanted to enjoy God's company. For as he obeyed His law, no heart longed so passionate as his own."
167 Here rests the mortal remains of the noble gentleman Jozua de la Parra, born in Suriname at the Jodensavanne on the 5 July 1758, and died there on the 22 November 1832, at one o'clock in the afternoon at the old age of 74 years, 4 months and 17 days.
168 Grave of the blissful Izak de la Parra; who died on the 5 Yiar 5571, corresponding with 29 April 1811, at the age of 73 years, 4 months and 11 days.
"Gloomy, lifeless grave, sprinkled so often by the tears of the wretched souls, cover the remains of a man, noble by his deeds, slave of his conscience and master of his passions. He was the example of intellect. As certain as his virtue will obtain salvation, as quiet was the moment of his death, as if someone goes to sleep. His soul rest in peace."
174 Widow S.H. de la Parra nee Samson who died on the 21 Augustus 1858.
191 Grave of the unfortunate Abigail, daughter of Rafael Del Castilho; who died on the 24 Adar 5518, corresponding with 4 March 1758, at the age of 7 and a half year.
194 Grave of the unfortunate and respectable Ester, the wife of Mozes de Abraham de Britto; who died on the 7 January 1774, corresponding with 21 Tebeth 5504 (=5534). May her soul rest in peace.
195 Abraham de Matos; who died on the 26 February 1747. May his soul rest in peace.
213 Grave of the child David Haim, son of Abraham Dovale, who died 17 Aug. 1740. May his soul rest in peace.
225 Grave of the blissful Samuel Coen Delmonte, who died on the 17 Yiar 5501, corresponding with 3 May 1741.
284. David Rephael Robles de Medina, who died on the 15 August 1747. May his soul rest in peace.
307 Grave of the blissful and honored gentleman Abraham Refael Arias, shining for his virtue, ardent caretaker of the well-being of his fellows. After he had lived 70 years in this world he was called by his creator to everlasting glory on the 6 Nissan 5487, corresponding with 28 March 1727.
312 Grave of the blissful Varao Abraham Nunes, who died on the 22 October 1742, corresponding with the first Hesvan 5503. May his soul rest in peace.
313 Grave of the blissful Sarah Mulher, the wife of David Lopes Crispo, who died on the 8 December 1742, corresponding with 11 Kisleu 5503. May her soul rest in peace.
317 Grave devoted to the lasting memory of the respectable Sarah Rachel, who was the wife of Josef de Meza, and died at the age of 25 years, born in Coabanas. buried on the first day of Pesach 5494 corresponding with 24 September 1733.
319 Grave of the blissful and noble David de Josef Senior Coronel, who died on the 2 Tebet 5500 (=1739). May his soul rest in peace.
335 Grave of the child David son of Benjamin Jessurun Lobo, who died on the 6 Nissan 5565, corresponding with 5 April 1805, at the age of 3 years and 6 months.
353 Grave of the child Benjamin, son of Josef Gabay Faro, who died on the second day of Rosj Hasjana (= newyear), equal to 2 Tisry (5509), corresponding with 6 (=16) September 1747.
356 Grave of Abigail, daughter of Josef Gomez, whom God took to Him on the 8 Yiar 5485 (=1725).
378 Grave of the blissful Ester Mulher, the wife of Samuel Carillo, who died on the 14 April 5456 (=1696).
398 Grave of the blissful Josua Sarfati Pina, who died on the 10 Adar 5463 (=1703). May his soul rest in peace.
400 Grave of Sarah Arias, daughter of Josef Baruch Carvallo, who died on the 4 Hesvan 5457 (=1696). May her soul rest in peace.
405 Grave of the blissful Rachel Mulher, the wife of H. H. Izak Arias, who died on the 4 Hesvan 5489, corresponding with 7 October 1728. May her soul rest in peace.
420 Grave of the respectable and virtuous Sara Mulher, the wife of Mozes De Abraham Gabay Yzidro who died on the 11 Yiar 5490, corresponding with 28 April 1730.
427 Grave of the blissful lady, my mother Branca Mesiah, who died on the 27 Nissan in the year 5453 (=1693). May her soul rest in peace.