The United Synagogue

Chief Rabbi Joins Ceremony Marking 250th Anniversary Of Brady Street Cemetery

PRESS RELEASE

London,
24th May 2011


CHIEF RABBI JOINS CEREMONY MARKING 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRADY STREET CEMETERY

Brady Street Cemetery, one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the UK, marked its 250th anniversary on Tuesday 24th May, with a ceremony attended by the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and other notable figures from the United Synagogue.

Following a short prayer service led by the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and United Synagogue President Simon Hochhauser, Rachel Kolsky a tour guide of the Jewish East End gave a brief talk on the history of the cemetery. The ceremony was completed with the placing of a plaque to commemorate the anniversary.

The cemetery, based in London’s East End was opened in 1761 by the New Synagogue and later was also used by the Great Synagogue of Duke's Place. It is home to the burial place of notable Jewish figures including Nathan Mayer Rothschild, the founder of the Rothschild bank. He passed on in 1836 and is buried next to his wife Hannah.

Other famous Jewish figures include Solomon Herschel (1802 – 1842) Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Hyman Hurwitz (1770 – 1844) Professor of Hebrew at London University and Miriam Levy (1801 – 1850) Welfare Worker who opened up the first kitchen for the poor in Whitechapel.

Opening the ceremony, Geoff Hartnell; Chairman of US Burial Society said:

“The work we do touches the lives of every US member, something it has been doing for many years. It is a great privilege to be here to rededicate the Brady Street cemetery 250 years after its founding.”

Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks of Aldgate made mention of his own family’s connection with the area in which Brady Street is located. He further commented:

“Today we marked 250 years since the founding of this cemetery. In this way, we remember those who laid the foundations of our community. By keeping faith with the past, we retain a sense of direction as we build the Jewish future.”

Ian Payne, whose ancestor is buried at Brady Street Cemetery, said:

“I found the ceremony to be an enjoyable and appropriate experience. The prayer service was also particularly moving.”


-End-


EDITORS’ NOTES: -

Brady Street Cemetery closed down in 1857 and was under threat in the 1980’s after the local council considered placing a compulsory purchase to redevelop the land. This was possible because the law states that if a cemetery has not hosted a burial in the space of 100 years then there is the possibility that the occupants may be exhumed and the site redeveloped.

In the face of the growing threat to a Jewish resting place, one more burial was carried out at the cemetery in 1990. Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild (1910 - 1990), the third Baron Rothschild, was buried next to his ancestor Nathan and the Brady Street Cemetery is now secure until 2090.


For further information, please contact:

Leonie Furman
The PR Office
Work: 020 7284 6969
Email: us@theproffice.com

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