The Original Jewish Cemetery In Oakland Tour

Want to finally understand what’s really at the top of Piedmont Avenue? What’s the difference among those gorgeous places— Chapel of the Chimes, Mountain View Cemetery, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Home of Eternity? Learn about the merchants leading Oakland in the 1860s, the victims of the Spanish Flu in 1918, the brightest lights of the Jewish community and a few rascals too. Dispel a few rumors about Gertrude Stein, Judah Magnes and others. Find out why Dr. Spock’s Vulcan hand gesture appears at some graves, and decode the symbols on many others. This 2-hour stroll covers the outdoor grounds, the stained glass of the indoor mausoleum, and a blast of the 1960s décor in the chapel— all part of this 2-acre historic gem. Easy walk with some uneven ground

Meeting Location: Inside the gates of Mountain View Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Ave., to the left.

Tour Guide: Robin Reiner

NOTES:

• PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
• We kindly request you register in advance. In-person registration will be first-come-first-served on a space available basis. We cannot guarantee a spot will be available.
• We offer fee waivers for limited income residents— just ask!
• Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
• Vouchers, limited-income accommodation, and any other special circumstances should be handled in advance. Please email [email protected] for assistance
• Check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.
• If you need assistance navigating Eventbrite, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call our office at (510) 763-9218 and we’d be happy to help.
• Due to the ongoing presence of Covid, we will continue to make masks available. If you feel ill the day of a tour, please stay home. If after a tour, you become ill and test positive, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
• Please check out the profiles of tour leaders. We are grateful for their skill and generosity.
• These tours support Oakland Heritage Alliance, a non-profit that tells Oakland’s story through walking tours, lectures, newsletters and advocacy. We welcome volunteers and new members!

Accessibility Note: A mostly level route, some unpaved paths.

About Oakland Heritage Alliance

Oakland Heritage Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland's architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action.

Host or Publisher Oakland Heritage Alliance