Jewish Graves in Christian Cemeteries
Jewish Graves in Christian Cemeteries
A very interesting gravestone caught my eye recently and struck me as somewhat unusual, I photographed it and sure enough it does appear to be something of a rarity.
A Jewish burial in a Christian graveyard ! . . .
I was at the church in Wold Newton last week, it was a revisit in order to photograph a couple of Iron Grave Markers , when two other gravestones caught my eye, both were of the same design and appeared to be Jewish . . .
A Jewish Gravestone in a Christian Graveyard
It struck me as odd, not just for potential religious reasons - the protocol of which I was ignorant of, but that I couldn’t remember seeing grave markers for Jews in a Church of England churchyard.
I visit lots of churches but don’t study every grave of course so perhaps it’s not such a rare phenomenon as I assume.
The two graves were side by side though extremely close to another headstone of more usual variety.
Perhaps they elected to be buried there because Wold Newton is but a hamlet and the opportunities for burial elsewhere proved problematic.
If you’re a Jew can you be buried in a Christian cemetery ?
Checking on the protocol for this I’ve seen that:
“Jewish tradition does not permit the burial of Jews and non-Jews together, as in a common cemetery”
However, Rabbi Jeffrey Wolfson Goldwasser then goes on to say:
“A Jew could be buried in a non-Jewish cemetery according to Jewish law if there was sufficient space — one grave width — separating the Jewish grave from those of non-Jews”
The space certainly didn’t seem to apply in the case I saw but that’s largely by-the-by for our purposes here.
What I’d be most interested to know is if anybody else has come across this before ?
Also do you know anything at all connected to it or the protocol concerned ?
Quite an interesting find I thought, hope you agree.
All the best
Rod
Stephen said,
January 27, 2012 @ 5:47 am
I’ve seen a Jewish section in the Natchez, MS City Cemetery. It’s surrounded by Christian gravesites.
Peter Mullins said,
January 27, 2012 @ 8:00 am
Thanks for advance sight of this, but I think I may have missed something then because (although all you say about Jewish burials in Christian churchyards is true) now I look with more attention at your picture it does seem that the Jewish ’star of David’ symbol is set within a Christian cross symbol, so this particular grave is more likely to be a Christian one which just happens to have a Jewish symbol (perhaps because there were Jewish links or simply because the next-of-kin liked the design). Were there names visible on either of the gravestones?
Rod said,
January 27, 2012 @ 8:14 am
Stephen,
thanks for that, much appreciated and welcome to the site.
Regards
Rod
Rod said,
January 27, 2012 @ 8:19 am
Peter,
I’m far from sure myself hence the above “and appeared to be Jewish”
I see the cross but the whole thing also had a ’sort of feel’ of the Menorah to it.
As to names, another point - I saw none. There may be some low down but I didn’t dig or pull about for obvious reasons.
This also brings up the subject I wrote about some time ago, the Star of David in a Christian Church
More research called for here methinks Peter
Regards,
Rod
Donald (South Australia) said,
January 27, 2012 @ 11:52 am
Hi Rod,
Would a war cemetery be a non-Jewish cemetery? We are used to seeing the Star of David dotted among the other headstones with Christian crosses on them.
I’m not sure about the width of separation in all such places.
Cheers,
Donald.
Rod said,
January 27, 2012 @ 1:04 pm
Donald,
I’m not sure about that, I know those buried abroad were sometimes re-buried 2 or 3 times.
In some cases little attention was paid to the location whilst in others great attention so you’ve introduced another very interesting aspect to this.
Best
Rod
Kate said,
January 27, 2012 @ 2:41 pm
Hi Rod,
the interlaced star symbol (composed of two triangles) you’ve shown is properly known as ‘the Seal of Solomon’ and may point more towards Freemasonry than Judaism; it possibly indicates a man who followed the Knight Templar Degree.
As Peter points out, it would be highly unlikely to find a cross symbolised in any way on a Jewish headstone. These follow a particular formula including names and dates of the deceased; although they may show the star of David, a flat six pointed star, usually not composed of two interlinked triangles and/or other symbols of tribal and/or religious significance they are not generally known to show a Christian cross symbol of any type
I can see how the top of the stone may have suggested a menorah, but these are only ever shown accurately portrayed, because of their deep religous significance to the Jewish faith.
Kate said,
January 27, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
Whoops, sorry Rod, pressed the wrong key and posted by accident as I hadn’t finished writing, viz even poorer grammar and spelling than usual!
The possibility I suggested certainly adds more intrigue to your studies given your interests. I’m afraid I can’t comment on the inclusion of Jewish burials within Christian (Church) cemetaries, but in public cemetaries there are usually areas set aside for other faiths.
All the best,
Kate
option911 said,
January 27, 2012 @ 8:02 pm
Rod, if you get the chance, go and visit the military cemeteries near Arnhem at Oosterbeek. Firstly they take your breath away at the shear size of them; the German one is enormous beyond description. Secondly they are so well maintained and immaculately laid out. Thirdly, as you walk along the headstones, reading the inscriptions you will occasionally come accross Jewish graves. I know there are also muslim graves but I am unsure if they are seperated. For something different have a look at Flight Lieut E.L. Brown DFC. who is buried at Darlington cemetry with a standard War Graves Commision headstone, but emblazoned with masonic symbol instead of a religeous one.
Rod said,
January 28, 2012 @ 7:00 am
Option,
I’ve never seen a military cemetery abroad I’m afraid, my days of European travel are some time ago now and preceded my interest in history etc - shame as I must ave missed a lot of interesting things
The Masonic symbol on CWGC stone is something I’ve not heard of before - let alone seen !
Thanks and regards,
Rod
History Hunter said,
January 28, 2012 @ 10:31 am
Military graves with the ‘Star of David’ symbolism on them are few and far between, but they do tend to stick to the generalised spacing between stones, even in relatively full cemeteries.
There are also many that dont have ANY religious symbolism on them, no cross, no star, no nothing, but each and every CWGC headstone is designed by the family around the basic template that the CWGC insist on.
There is one stone that I have seen that, again, has no religious symbol on it, but it does have nothing apart from the Victoria Cross emblazoned on it. Quite rightly too. At the end of the day, it doesnt matter what religious persuasion the recipient is, his bravery has been proven to the world.
Rod said,
January 28, 2012 @ 10:41 am
HH,
appreciate that, very useful, I know how many you’ve seen and catalogued as well !
Was the VC headstone local HH ?
Regards,
Rod
History Hunter said,
January 28, 2012 @ 11:24 am
Local-ish Rod.
There are actually two headstones in Lincolnshire commemorating VC winners.
Its at the Lincoln Newport cemetery. The gentleman concerned, Charles Richard Sharpe, survived the war, later dying in 1963. He was an Acting Corporal at the time of his award, serving with the 2nd Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment.
The other is for Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall which is located at Nocton. It is ONLY a memorial headstone though as he was cremated and buried at Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster in 1972 (I think that is in another country isnt it?)
He was a pilot serving with 11 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. The petrol tank was hit as he flew over enemy lines but he managed to land the plane just inside allied territory, survived a bombardment, then by torchlight he and his gunner repaired his plane and flew back to base the following morning. A month later he was shot down and taken prisoner but managed to escape at the 3rd attempt. A very worthy recipient, me thinks!
jean said,
January 28, 2012 @ 7:07 pm
Rod on my travels have seen many Jewish and Moslem tombstone in both WW1 and WW2 CWGC sites ,option911 should go to see the one at Reichswald north of Kleve to go to Rememberance services there is so moving,all the various Nato countries are there,in remembering and honouring the dead there is no division.Going back to Jewish burials is there still a cemetary in Nunsthorpe?,there was one when I was a kid. Jean
Rod said,
January 28, 2012 @ 7:16 pm
HH,
many thanks - I’ll visit the Nocton grave when I’m next at my brothers
A very worthy recipient, you can say that again - what a man !
Best
Rod
Rod said,
January 28, 2012 @ 7:23 pm
Jean,
I believe it is still there - I’m going to have to visit I think . . .
Thanks and regards
Rod
History Hunter said,
January 28, 2012 @ 11:38 pm
As you enter the church gate, the headstone is against the wall over to the left, about half way along.
Rod said,
January 29, 2012 @ 7:26 am
HH,
many thanks indeed, all your help in this area is very helpful and much appreciated.
Best,
Rod
graham h said,
January 29, 2012 @ 10:03 am
Rod and Jean,
The Jewish cemetary is still there. If you walk to the end of First avenue the entrance is at the end before it turns into Cornwell close.
Graham
History Hunter said,
January 29, 2012 @ 10:48 am
Having read a list of the memorial inscriptions for the Grimsby Jewish Cemetery, that small cemetery holds a lot of stories. The saddest one I think involves 5 Russian immigrants who died onboard the SS Ashton on their way to Grimsby. The coroners verdict was that they all died through inhaling poisonous gasses emitted from the ferro silicon that the ship was carrying below decks. They were all on their way to America to start a new life, but sadly ended far short.
Rod said,
January 29, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
I went to the Jewish cemetery today, with camera, sadly unable to gain access (exactly where Graham says)
I even went round the back to the hsopital but th ewhol eplace is sealed off as far as I could see.
Best,
Rod
History Hunter said,
January 29, 2012 @ 10:43 pm
I could have told you that. Yes, it is exactly where Graham said, but unfortunately it isnt open on a regular basis and only one person holds the key for the gates, and getting hold of him is like trying to nail custard to the wall. I have wanted access for the last year but have been unable to get in there. Ive taken to driving past the roundabout slowly on the off chance that the gates are open.
Rod said,
January 30, 2012 @ 6:41 am
HH,
hopefully at some point something will happen and i’ll get the chance to visit . . .
Fingers crossed
Regards
Rod