I support the preservation of the Deborah Chapel, located within the Beth Israel Cemetery in the Frog Hollow National Historic District.

The Deborah Chapel is a rare, one-of-a-kind historical asset to the Greater Hartford region. The chapel was dedicated in 1886 “to guard this city of the dead” in an era before the existence of professional funeral homes and was used for the temporary reception of the dead and for funeral services well into the 20th century. It was built with funds raised by the Beth Israel congregation, members of the Deborah Society, and the citizens of Hartford. This monument to Hartford’s Jewish heritage, the diverse history of the Frog Hollow neighborhood, and the contributions of the women of the Deborah Society to their community, is worthy of preservation. The Deborah Chapel is an irreplaceable asset that played a unique role in Hartford’s history and development and should be preserved as an important part of the State’s and the region’s cultural and historical legacy.