Warder Cresson was the first U.S. Consul to Jerusalem. He was appointed by President Tyler. While in Jerusalem he converted to Judaism. His wife, learning of the conversion, sued him in Philadelphia citing his conversion to Judaism as confirmation of insanity. The court granted her all of his property. Cresson returned to fight the court decision. After three years of legal fighting, in a landmark Philadelphia court case, Cresson was declared not insane. His personal choice to convert to Judaism was not an act of insanity. He divorced his wife and returned to Jerusalem where he became a respected leader of the Sephardic Jewish community. He attempted a proto-Zionist agricultural effort in Emek Rephaim that failed. He remarried and had two children who predeceased him. He was buried under his Hebrew name, Rabbi Michael Boaz Israel ben (son of) Abraham on the Mount of Olives.
His legal battle affirmed the American Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Religion and Assembly.
His deteriorated gravesite was restored by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation 6/2021.
His legal battle affirmed the American Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Religion and Assembly.
His deteriorated gravesite was restored by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation 6/2021.
Warder Cresson was the first U.S. Consul to Jerusalem. He was appointed by President Tyler. While in Jerusalem he converted to Judaism. His wife, learning of the conversion, sued him in Philadelphia citing his conversion to Judaism as confirmation of insanity. The court granted her all of his property. Cresson returned to fight the court decision. After three years of legal fighting, in a landmark Philadelphia court case, Cresson was declared not insane. His personal choice to convert to Judaism was not an act of insanity. He divorced his wife and returned to Jerusalem where he became a respected leader of the Sephardic Jewish community. He attempted a proto-Zionist agricultural effort in Emek Rephaim that failed. He remarried and had two children who predeceased him. He was buried under his Hebrew name, Rabbi Michael Boaz Israel ben (son of) Abraham on the Mount of Olives.
His legal battle affirmed the American Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Religion and Assembly.
His deteriorated gravesite was restored by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation 6/2021.
His legal battle affirmed the American Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Religion and Assembly.
His deteriorated gravesite was restored by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation 6/2021.
Inscription
PB (place of burial)
A man (who) fears God
Came to be protected under the wings of
The Shechinah
Pjk
Pursuing justice and kindness
The deceased (de) in good name (gn) from the world, honorable
Rabbi Michael Boaz Israel
Was taken to his temple (cemetery)
1 Cheshvan תרכ״א (October 17, 1860)
May his soul (will) be wrapped with the wrappings of life
MSWlPB (place of burial)
A man (who) fears God
Came to be protected under the wings of
The Shechinah
Pjk
Pursuing justice and kindness
The deceased (de) in good name (gn) from the world, honorable
Rabbi Michael Boaz Israel
Was taken to his temple (cemetery)
1 Cheshvan תרכ״א (October 17, 1860)
May his soul (will) be wrapped with the wrappings of life
MSWl
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