Digital event round-up

In March, Willesden Jewish Cemetery ran a series of digital events. These included Losing Loved Ones Keeping Rituals, Jewish Funerals in Victorian Times, and Written out of History? Getting to know the women of Willesden Cemetery .

All three events prompted a really lively discussion from the audience. Whether it was , the events gave people a sense of connection, and whetted appetites for coming to see the Cemetery in person. “It's been very refreshing to go to events which remind one of the broad sweep of history and put today's situation in context. Heritage, arts and culture and thinking about/experiencing them are enriching and very valuable at a time when we all feel deprived of 'live' contact!” said an attendee.

Losing Loved Ones, Keeping Rituals

This event generated a great deal of cross-cultural interest from people of different backgrounds in the funeral practises of different communities and in how the pandemic has affected them. Attendees commented that they really enjoyed learning about funerals from a variety of cultures, and how fashions have changed.

“The historical photos and the history around different types of traditional burials and celebrations were very interesting,” said one attendee.

“All of the speakers were excellent. I liked the fact they all came from a different angle. I felt it to be welcoming and including all people from all walks of life,” said another attendee.

To watch the event, click here.

Written out of History? Getting to know the women of Willesden Cemetery

This event, put on in Association with AJWO, revealed the stories of the little-known Jewish women who have been buried at the Cemetery over several decades. These include translators and poets, a scientist, an actress, an artist, a benefactress, a letter writer and a Suffragette. Participants learnt about the contribution women made to Society even if their names had not been remembered beyond their own era.

To watch the event, click here

Jewish Funerals in Victorian Times

In this event, emerging historian Zelda Feldman presented a little-known aspect of Victorian London, its Jewish funerals, and explored what its practices tell us about the shifting status of Jews in British society.

Drawing on records of Jewish funeral traditions uncovered in research by the House of Life, from the role of the undertaker to symbols on memorials, Zelda took us on a whistle-stop tour of some of the most noteworthy Jewish funerals of the day.

To watch the event, click here