Lucy Marks facts for kids

Lucy Marks was an important African-American Jewish woman. She lived in Philadelphia during early American history. She is one of the few Black Jews from that time whose story is known.

The Life of Lucy Marks

Lucy Marks lived in Philadelphia. She was part of the Marks family, who were white and Jewish. It was common for enslaved people to take the last name of the family who owned them. Lucy adopted the Marks surname.

In the 1790s, Lucy Marks chose to follow Judaism. She became a member of Congregation Mikveh Israel. This was a Jewish house of worship, called a synagogue, in Philadelphia.

It is not known if Lucy was born Jewish. Many synagogues at that time did not welcome people of color. But Congregation Mikveh Israel was different. It was more open to Jews of color and to people who converted to Judaism.

Lucy was very devoted to her faith. She followed Jewish traditions closely. During services at Mikveh Israel, she sat in the women's section. She lived to be an old woman.

Burial and Legacy

When Lucy Marks died in 1838, her family wanted her to have a Jewish burial. This was a common practice for Jewish people. However, it was often hard for Black people, even those who followed Judaism, to be buried in Jewish cemeteries.

After a short delay, many members of the community supported Lucy. She was then buried in the Mikveh Israel Cemetery. Her grave does not have a marker. It is located next to the grave of Haym Salomon, a famous American Jew. Lucy Marks's story reminds us of the diverse history of Jewish people in America.

See also

• History of the Jews in Philadelphia