Penang Jewish Cemetery

The Penang Jewish Cemetery was established in 1805 and is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the country. It occupies an area of more than 38,000 sqft in size. The piece of land that it sits on is cleaver-shaped and is located along Jalan Zainal Abidin, which was formerly known as the Yahudi (Jewish) Road.

The cemetery holds more than 107 graves and most of them resemble traditional ossuaries (triangular vaulted-lid caskets). This type of ossuary is commonly found in Israel. The oldest Jewish tombstone in the Penang Jewish Cemetery dates back to 9th July 1835. It belongs to Mrs. Shoshan Levi (Rachamah Levi). She was the benefactor who contributed the land which this cemetery was established. The newest tombstone in this cemetery was set in 2011 and is the grave of the last ethnic Jew in Penang.

Although there may be a few Jewish graves in other non-Jewish cemeteries, the Penang Jewish Cemetery is the only cemetery which was built to solely for the small, yet thriving, Jewish community in the West Malaysia. The cemetery is managed by a board of trustees registered and established since 1885. Today, the cemetery still functions and is maintained by the Trustees.

Visit official page.

Image by ultimatekldevil.

Opening Hours

If the caretaker is around, he will give you access.

Admission

FREE.

Location

Jalan Zainal Abidin,
10400 George Town,
Penang.

View on map.

Hear From Others

The Jewish Cemetery in Penang is believed to be the oldest single Jewish cemetery in Malaysia, if not South-East Asia. The oldest tombstone is dated 1805 and the most recent being 1976, that of a teacher’s college lecturer.

Syed Imran Syed Ahmad
KudaRanggi

According to the information I had, I needed to turn left on Jalan Zainal Abidin (formerly Jalan Yahud, “Jewish street”), and on my left I should find it, surrounded by a three meter high wall. Sure enough, there it was. Right across the road from the street vendor selling Thai food. Penang’s Jewish cemetery.

Donald Rallis
RegionalGeography

A remarkable aspect of the Cemetery relates to how it is maintained. The site is not entirely immaculate, the grassy weeds grow long but the graves are clean and in good condition

Sara Ashencaen Crabtree
DiscoverSociety

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Penang Islamic Museum

Situated on Armenian Street, the Penang Islamic Museum showcases the unique mid-19th century Straits style in its architectural features.

Eastern & Oriental Building

A legendary colonial-style building, the Eastern & Oriental Building portrays the classical designs during the British-Raj era.