Hebrew Cultural Gardens

The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland hosted the annual One World Day 2007 ceremony at the Hebrew Cultural Garden at 1160 Rockefeller Park.

From the One World Day 2007 program: The theme of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens is "Peace through mutual understanding." The gardens are a powerful symbol of the richness of a pluralistic society and of a peaceful world.

In 1896, John D. Rockefeller donated 254 acres between University Circle and Lake Erie to the City of Cleveland. From 1926 through 2006, 23 cultural gardens have been created on this land, creating a unique chain of gardens world renown for their ethnic beauty and diversity.

In 1916, Leo Weidenthal (Editor of the Jewish Independent, a predecessor to today's Cleveland Jewish News) asked city manager, William Hopkins, to donate land for a Hebrew Cultural Garden. On May 5, 1926, Chaim Bialik, who later became Israel's National Poet, planted three Cedars of Lebanon trees, thus dedicating the site for the future Hebrew Cultural Garden.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the garden was vandalized, the fountain crumbled, and 23 plaques were stolen. Since 1996, volunteers have helped beautify and maintain the garden. The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland is proud to support the renovation and rededication of this historic garden.

Hebrew Cultural Garden sign

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Welcome to the Hebrew Cultural Garden
on One World Day 2007

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Highlights of the Hebrew Cultural Garden
on One World Day 2007

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Moses Mendelssohn, Father of the Jewish Enlightenment

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Fountain in the Hebrew Cultural Garden

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Closeup of the Fountain in the Hebrew Cultural Garden

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Chaim Bialik, Israel's National Poet

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Emma Lazarus, American Jewish poet who wrote the sonnet engraved on the Statue of Liberty

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Asher Ginsburg

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Moses Maimonides

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Hebrew Cultural Garden plaque honoring Baruch de Spinoza