Our Stories

Hebron's Stories

If a story is important, then it must be told. We can portray dreams of what the future may hold, or allow introspection on what has occurred in the past. A story is a narrative that can relay lessons and warnings. A story can teach us about hope and remind us how important and meaningful our lives are. We are unearthing stories about those buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Morris Kessler: Bodyguard to Murder, Inc

Morris Kessler was the personal chauffeur and a mobster working with Joseph Amberg, one of the leaders of a criminal organization. Morris was murdered as he and Amberg were about to collect "protection money" from neighborhood barbershops and restaurants. Their executioners, believed to be from Murder, Inc. organization, machine-gunned them to death. Morris was only 23 years old. This crime has remained unsolved.

Learn More

Asher Selig Grossinger: The Waldorf of the Catskills

In 1913, Asher Selig Grossinger purchased a farm in the Catskill Mountains as well as close to 2,000 other immigrant families. They became mega successful. Not all of these Jewish farmers /hoteliers were as successful as the Asher Grossinger. The Catskills ended up with the largest populations of Jewish farmers in the United States. Selig wanted to be a farmer. However, a series of failed businesses left him in poor health. The doctors told Selig to move to the country. Asher discovered that he could make money renting rooms to visitors Their business quickly grew beyond what the former farmhouse could handle. Selig and his wife Malke sold Longbrook House and purchased a large house with the 100 acres and called it Grossinger Terrace Hill House. The Hotel continued to grow but it grew exponentially under his daughter, Jennie. After Selig passed away, Jeanne built Grossingers into a sprawling complex of 35 buildings on 1,200,00. acres that served 150,000 guests a year.

Learn More

Judge Murray Gurfein

Judge Murray Gurfein was a distinguished lawyer whose career spanned nearly 50 years. He was also active in many Jewish affairs over the course of his life. Judge Gurfein was a tenacious attorney who tried famous cases, a war crimes Prosecutor at Nuremberg, a distinguished civil and criminal trial lawyer and a federal jurist on district and appeals court benches in Manhattan. Judge Gurfein presided over scores of complex tax, anti trust and Securities cases as well as many criminal trials, school desegregation suits and complex trial issues ranging from price fixing to paternity questions. He received national prominence with his ruling on the Pentagon Papers case that became the hallmark of his judicial career.

  • Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
  • Category: Notable
Learn More

Courage & Love: Jeanne Manford

Jeanne Sobelson Manford was an American schoolteacher and activist. She co-founded the support group organization, PFLAG, for which she was awarded the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal.

Learn More

Tuba Zisman: Ukrainian Labor Activist

Tuba’s life represented the dynamic nature of the Jewish world in the twentieth century, which saw great changes in the Soviet Union and suffered the Holocaust. As a socialist, Tuba sought to uplift the conditions of the workers at her factory. As a family woman, she supported the growth of the Yaroshevsky and Zisman families with an everlasting love for Galina, Simon, Alex, Richard, Boris, and Evgeny. Her Jewish heritage is honored. ~Blog Written by Rene Yaroshevsky

Learn More

Dr. Max Warmbrand: A Pioneer in Nutrition

Max Warmbrand, who advocated fruits, vegetables, sun and exercise in his books and lectures on nutrition was a major force in the medical world with his insights on good health discovered through his own ailments. He now rests with us at Mount Hebron Cemey

Watch Video

Fred Lebow: Founder of the NYC Marathon

Fred Lebow was a runner, race director, and founder of the New York City Marathon. When the New York CIty Marathon began in 1970 it only had 55 finishers. Through his innovation and passion, it became one of the biggest marathons in the world, with a record 52,000 finishers in 2018. He now rests with us at Mount Hebron.

Learn More

Nina Eaton:Cerebral Palsy Advocate and UCP Founder

In 1941, with the birth of her son Leonard, Nina Eaton found herself propelled into a lifetime of challenge, triumph, uncertainties and opportunities, heartbreak and hope, but mostly of achievement. Through her own experiences she selflessly chose to help others by creating the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Learn More