Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain Blog

Monday 3 August 2020 8pm to 9.30 pm On Zoom The men named on a British Empire war memorial at Willesden Jewish Cemetery are all but lost to history. How can we interpret the significance of their service in a military campaign which today is seen as controversial? Molly Maslen investigates.    A special talk by Molly Maslen volunteer researcher with the “House of Life” and History MA graduate   In partnership with and supported by a grant from the Jewish Historical Society of England (JHSE)   Two memorial boards remembering Jewish fatalities of a war in South Africa 1899 – 1902 have been sitting quietly at Willesden Jewish Cemetery for 60 years.   The 116 Jews they name are all but lost to history. But who were they? And what did Jewish leaders want to say by putting their ultimate sacrifice into the public eye on a Roll of Honour while anti-immigrant feeling raged against the community at home?   At a time when historic memorials are subject...