Novo Jewish Cemetery, London

One of my several projects on the go is walking the length of Regent's Canal. As it is almost 14 km long, I'm doing it in stages. And it's taking a long time as I keep getting side tracked by places of interest along the way. My latest diversion was along the stretch of canal at Mile End. I discovered there is an ancient historical Jewish cemetery nearby.

The Novo cemetery is a Grade II listed Sephardic Jewish cemetery located within the grounds of Queen Mary University of London in Mile End. I know very little about Judaism and nothing about the Sephardi Jews, but was intrigued to read that this is only one of two Sephardic cemeteries in England. The other one is in Manchester.

The first Jews to settle in England came from Normandy at the invitation of William the Conqueror, who offered them royal protection. Then Edward I expelled them in 1290. They were admitted back to London in 1650.

Although The Novo Cemetery is located inside the grounds of the Queen Mary University, anyone can freely walk in. The cemetery opened in 1733. Prior to this, Jews were buried in the Velho Cemetery at Mile End, but that became full. Velho means old and Novo is new. The Velho Cemetery is located further along Mile End Road, but access is only by appointment. A blog on Velho.

Google Earth image showing the 2 cemeteries. Regent's Canal is seen in the top right -

Most of the Sephardi community had moved out of the area by 1895  when Novo was almost full. It was closed for burials for adults in 1905 and for children in 1918. It suffered some damage from bombs in WW2. It obtained Grade II listed status in 2014. The cemetery you see today is the 1855 extension. The older section (1733-1855) was cleared with around 7,000 graves moved to Brentwood in Essex.

As you look over the cemetery, it is apparent that it is full of gravestones, which represents equality of all people in death. And I noticed that many graves had small stones or pebbles on them. These are called visitation stones. "The act of placing visitation stones is significant in Jewish bereavenment practices. Small stones are placed by people who visit Jewish graves in an act of remembrance or respect for the deceased. The practice is a way participating in the mitzvah of burial. The stone is placed by the left hand."

I also noticed there were no flowers. I read it is not customary in Judaism to leave flowers at a grave after visiting.

A blog showing photos of every single grave in the cemetery. 

This photo shows small pebbles on the front graves and a larger stone on the grave behind -