When Beth Israel Cemetery was established in 1844, Houston was still a frontier village — in fact, the cemetery was located well out of town on the San Felipe Road (now West Dallas Avenue). Over the years, Houston has grown up around Beth Israel, and today, the cemetery is not only one of the city's most historic, but also the oldest Jewish institution in Texas.

Many of the Bayou City's most prominent Jewish leaders have been laid to rest at Beth Israel, including merchant families the Levys, Meyers and Sakowitzes; philanthropist Ben Taub; and Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel, who led Congregation Beth Israel for 32 years. Our 90-minute, docent-guided walking tour tells the stories of their lives and deaths and includes a visit to the Temple of Rest, the 1935 Art Deco mausoleum designed by Joseph Finger (who is entombed inside).

TICKETS

Tickets will go on sale at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 2017, inside the gates of Beth Israel Cemetery, 1207 West Dallas Avenue. Admission is $10 for the general public ($7 for Preservation Houston members and students with valid ID). Those who walk, ride a bike or use public transit to get to the tour will receive a $2 discount. Children 11 years old and under are admitted free. Tickets may be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. The last tour group will leave just after 2 p.m. Advance reservations are not required for this tour.

For more information, visit our Architecture Walks page.