Comments on: At The Velho & Alderney Rd Cemeteries

By: Pamela Traves

Pamela Traves — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 23:50:58 +0000

How Beautiful and Peaceful. Thank You So Very Much!!???????

By: Phil Cunningham

Phil Cunningham — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 13:47:16 +0000

On several nights after returning in the early hours from visiting Mile End pubs I found myself locked out. The only way in was over the back. You had one chance a good run and up onto the wall; then there would be Saber the gaurd dog bitting at your bottom. Once I was so drunk I could not make it and waited with hands in pockets for Saber, but he did not come……..he’d gone deaf! I’m now a completely reformed character and teetotal.
I was asked by a old professor to photograph all the grave stones in the Sephardic Velho cemetry. It was hard work on a hot summers day. All the stones had to be cleaned and washed and even with a widangle lens I had to use a step ladder. The professor was looking for ‘the black circumciser’. When he found the grave he became very excited and kept shouting “over here, over here photograph this one”. All long ago.

By: Keith Peter

Keith Peter — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 12:08:46 +0000

Two small quiet spaces in the town showing continuity over the centuries, thanks for this.

Google something like ‘birmingham uk hebrew congregation cemetery’ to see a comparison from outside London.

The remains of the cemetery were accessible in the early 90s but had to be sealed off later. Now a construction site to be a student hall of residence.

By: Paul Shaviv

Paul Shaviv — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 10:15:10 +0000

Oops! Rabbi Solomon Hirschel (1762-1842), rabbi of the Great Synagogue, and brother of Saul Berlin, is actually buried in another historic East End Jewish cemetery, Brady Street, and not Alderney Road.

By: Paul Shaviv

Paul Shaviv — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 02:41:02 +0000

Another famous/infamous “resident” of Alderney Road is the notorious rabbinic forger Saul Berlin (1740-1794). He was the brother of Solomon Hirschel, rabbi of the Great Synagogue, also buried there. A stone marking his grave can be easily seen via Google images.
Either deliberately or innocently, SB is often omitted by those writing about the cemetery, although in terms of Jewish history he is probably the most famous person buried there!
In 1793, he published a book called “Besamim Rosh”, purporting to be a collection of 392 Jewish legal rulings contained in a hitherto unknown manuscript originating from Asher Ben Yechiel, 13/14 century eminent rabbi. It was quickly noticed that several of these rulings seemed to support policies of the then nascent Jewish Reform movement. A scandal ensued; the book was branded a forgery, and SB fled to London, where he passed away not long afterwards.
“Besamim Rosh”, which even today has a small number of supporters who maintain its authenticity, was a work of considerable scholarship. It remains one of the best known causes celebre of modern Jewish history.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 21:01:31 +0000

Oh grave, where is thy victory…?

Death is swallowed up in victory, and verdant green lawns, lilacs, and star-like flowers.

As ever, GA, thank you for sharing.

By: Elizabeth Olson

Elizabeth Olson — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 20:19:13 +0000

Good news! Physical distancing and self-isolation is working here in Sidney! Our curve is flattening, the good doctor announced yesterday!
I too miss the customers in our used bookshop but enjoyment is to be found reading and researching the life of my grandfather of Mile End. He was a bit of a clever scoundrel!
Stay well Gentle Author and readers of this life-enriching blog!

By: Rupert Bumfrey

Rupert Bumfrey — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 17:31:58 +0000

I have found great solace in cemeteries and churches, always atmospheric and places for reflection – rather ironic for a life-long atheist!

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 16:52:43 +0000

I love cemeteries for their peace and calm as well as being a reminder of my mortality. So many life stories. The graves of babies and young children are particularly touching. So much promise unfulfilled. As I write this, Governor Cuomo’s daily briefing on New York’s situation is occurring. Plagues are not some ancient phenomena. Sheltering at home, finding it hard to maintain attention to much of anything.

Stay well.

By: paul loften

paul loften — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 13:26:29 +0000

Each tombstone has an untold story. How did they arrive here and make a new life . What was their life like in London of the 17th and 18th centuries? For many, their history is forever lost. Perhaps a brief mention from a grandparent or Uncle. My father once told me long ago of his family ancestors in Spain who fled during the inquisition rather than renounce their religion or be burnt the stake. That is all I know. From Spain then to in Poland, the names were changed and changed again sometimes to the names of towns or villages where they lived. That is all I know. I have tried to unravel the past but it has proved impossible