When 83‑year‑old Robert Libman was a boy, he helped tend the graves of relatives in the small Jewish section of Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side. Decades later, the same man – now the former owner of The Libman Company, a national broom and cleaning‑products manufacturer based in Arcola – has stepped in to rescue the neglected area.
From Overgrowth to Restoration
The south‑end portion of Oak Woods, once known as “little Jerusalem,” contains nearly 300 plots, many dating back to the 1870s. Years of abandonment left the land choked with weeds, tombstones cracked, toppled or weathered beyond recognition, and several historic structures in disrepair.
Libman began paying landscaping crews to clear the overgrowth and repair damaged stones. He has also installed a plaque acknowledging his company’s support and plans to add a gate and a Star of David archway at the entrance. The goal, he says, is to restore basic dignity to the dead – many of whom were buried in wooden coffins and now sit in sunken plots – including a half‑dozen of his own relatives.
Family Legacy and Community Impact
Libman’s grandfather, William Libman, immigrated from Lithuania in the late 1800s and founded The Libman Company, which today employs hundreds of workers across the country. By preserving the cemetery, Robert Libman believes he is honoring the hard work of his ancestors that helped build his family’s success.
“It was just a forgotten land,” Libman said during a recent visit. “How can you possibly forget about all these people who made it possible for all the Jews that followed?”
Local historians note that the Jewish community once flourished on Chicago’s South and West Sides, but many families moved away in the early 20th century. The cemetery suffered antisemitic attacks, including a 1947 desecration of nearly 200 plots, and the city has long condemned the neglect.
Community Response
Mark Mandle, a founding board member of the Chicago Jewish Historical Society, called the cemetery’s condition “an unspoken shame” for the city’s Jewish community. Genealogist Marcey Siegel praised Libman’s hands‑on approach, saying, “A lot of people do a lot of talking, but Robert acted.” Associate Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky of Beth Hamedrosh Kesser Maariv added that Libman “should be blessed” for his work.
While other synagogues own portions of the larger Jewish sections of Oak Woods, decades of under‑funding left many areas in poor condition. Some recent donations have helped improve other plots, but Libman’s effort stands out for its scale and personal commitment.
Ongoing Challenges
Libman has already had several severely damaged tombstones glued and repaired, and he removed old fences that once divided plots among different congregations. He says he “doesn’t give a damn” about historic divisions between orthodox families, focusing instead on honoring every soul buried there.
Remaining work includes addressing a rundown mausoleum and a brick building once used for kaddishes (prayers for the dead). Libman has not yet decided how to handle these structures, but he hopes the renewed attention during the upcoming Jewish High Holidays will inspire more families to visit and care for the site.
Looking Ahead
During his latest trip from Champaign, Libman and his two sons, including current Libman CEO Andrew, held an informal dedication at the cemetery. Rocks cleared from the overgrown paths are now being used as visitation stones, placed on graves to mark when loved ones pay their respects – a traditional Jewish practice.
As the community watches, Libman’s private philanthropy demonstrates how individuals can preserve heritage, uphold family honor, and strengthen the moral fabric of neighborhoods without waiting for government action.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
