"Inclusive" cemetery to give Jews a choice at the end
Prestbury will be home to Gloucestershire's first all-inclusive Jewish cemetery.
The county's Liberal Jewish Community, which was founded last year, has been granted its own plot of land at Cheltenham Cemetery, in Bouncer's Lane.
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excellent news: David Naydorf at Cheltenham Cemetery and Crematorium
It means Jews of all denominations can be buried side-by-side in a recognised Jewish burial ground for the first time in the county.
The organisation plans to consecrate the site with a special ceremony next month.
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David Naydorf, chairman of the Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Community, said: "This is excellent news. We aim to offer an inclusive brand of Judaism, which includes giving our members a choice when they die.
"Jews in the county can now be buried next to husbands, wives and family members of other religions in an all-encompassing Jewish cemetery.
"It also allows for cremation, something which is not an option for orthodox Jews."
The liberal movement, founded in the 19th century, espouses the principles of Judaism but has softened its stance towards aspects such as membership criteria, and inter-marriage with people of other faiths.
The existing Jewish cemetery, in Elm Street, near Tewkesbury Road, remains exclusively for Orthodox Jews and does not cater for cremations.
Mr Naydorf said: "Our congregation has grown exponentially since it took off last year.
"There is a real need for our brand of Judaism. It is more secular and less wrapped up in ancient law and tradition.
"That is the way we believe religion must develop. You have to change with the times and adapt to make your faith as relevant as possible in today's world."
Allison Hyman, secretary of the Liberal Jewish community, said: "Each movement of Judaism has its place - and now we have our own cemetery.
"It is very important as it will give our members a designated resting place."
Nigel Cole, chairman of the national Liberal Judaism movement, said the news was a sign of commitment from the community towards the growing movement.
He said: "Liberal Judaism seeks to support Jews through all stages of life. We are delighted at this sign of the community's continuing development."
The cemetery will be consecrated at a service at 3pm on April 19.
Comments
by Brian Lewis, May Hill
Sunday, March 29 2009, 7:32AM
“International strife, was kinda thinking of the recent war crimes in the Gaza Strip.”
by Paul, Cheltenham
Saturday, March 28 2009, 12:11PM
“Hi Brian.
That's what I thought they meant.
So unless your CofE you shouldn't be allowed to purchase a plot in the council cemetery?
What about catholics, methodists, united reform or atheists come to that?
Basically it's discrimination on the grounds of religion.”
by Brian Lewis, May Hill
Saturday, March 28 2009, 10:09AM
“Paul Cheltenham, What Gaz and Tom mean is this is England that we live in NOT Israel.
The established church in this country is the Church of England.”
by JD Goldbergblattschindler, St.B
Friday, March 27 2009, 5:37PM
“Well I agree, the Jews have done loads for the community and are certainly entitled to their own sort of Jewish cemetery.
My mate who is a mute non practising Jehovah Hindhu Muslim would like to say that he doesn't really care where he is burried, and neither do I.”
by Paul, Cheltenham
Friday, March 27 2009, 10:21AM
“tom, gaz
What exactly do you mean by your comments?”
by tom, at work
Friday, March 27 2009, 7:27AM
“yeah for a second there i wondered what country i was in. :/”
by gaz, glos
Thursday, March 26 2009, 11:53PM
“and there was me thinking this was england.”
by V, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 26 2009, 8:46PM
“Cemetery Schmemetery....”
by Queen of Sheba, gloucester
Thursday, March 26 2009, 10:04AM
“Well done! - Too many groups of people these days want inclusuion when it suits and scream discrination of some sort when they feel they are not, but they then do the same when they feel they don't want to be and feel they are being forced to because of some some reason - a bit like people who are good at taking about their rights but conveniently forget their responsibiliites when it suits.
Again well done and lets see more of it!”