The Liberal Jewish Synagogue to commemorate centenary of its cemetery in Willesden

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue will be commemorating the centenary of its Willesden cemetery with a guided tour and a photographic exhibition.

The cemetery in Pound Lane is the final resting place for members from the Jewish community including the Rothschild and Sassoon families, Lords Lew Grade and Bernard Delfont from the world of entertainment, Bernhard Baron, millionaire tobacco manufacturer and philanthropist and Sir Isaac Shoenberg who invented High Definitition TV.

The LJS in St John’s Wood, St John’s Wood, is one of the few synagogues to operate its own cemetery.

In breaking with traditional orthodox practice non-Jewish partners are now allowed to be buried along with their Jewish partners

LJS Senior Rabbi Alexandra Wright said: “The LJS is fortunate and privileged to have its own cemetery and to be so deeply involved in ensuring that those who choose to be buried in our cemetery are buried with dignity and respect and that those who are left behind are supported by the community.”

The LJS will be holding a special prayer service on September to commemorate the cemetery’s centenary.

Rabbi Wright added: “The annual pre-Rosh Hashanah (New Year) Memorial Service on September 1 brings mourners back into the cemetery for prayers and reflections that are embedded in the natural cycle of growth and decay, life and death.”

A small photographic exhibition of images of the cemetery taken by French photographer André Chabot is currently on display at the LJS.

In addition, a special guided tour of the cemetery “Tobacco to Theology, Theatre to TV by, Rachel Kolsky will take place on October 2.