The cemetery is located on Hoop Lane, in Golders Green in the London Borough of Barnet, across the street from the Golders Green Crematorium. Just inside the gates is a small building, with two halls for burial services, and a drinking fountain. North Western Reform Synagogue is located in Alyth Gardens, on the boundary of the cemetery.
History
The cemetery, which was opened in 1895, is divided into two parts. On the West Side, used by West London Synagogue, the graves are marked with upright stones. The East Side, used by the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation,[2] is organised in the form of traditional Sephardi cemetery (one of the few left in London); the gravestones are laid horizontally, as traditionally the burial ground was too unstable for an upright stone.
Notable burials
East Side
HakhamMoses Gaster (1856–1939), Romanian, later British, scholar, the Hakham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish congregation in London, and a Hebrew and Romanian linguist
Philip Guedalla (1889–1944), English barrister, popular historical and travel writer, and biographer[3]
Nathan Saatchi (1907–2000), Iraqi-born British businessman, a textile merchant who moved from Baghdad to London[4]
Maurice Jacobson (1896–1976), pianist, composer and music publisher
Paul Kossoff (1950–1976), rock guitarist best known as a member of Free
Philanthropists
Sir Basil Henriques (1890–1961), philanthropist who wrote reforms to religious Jewish ceremonies and set up boys' clubs for deprived Jewish children[6][7]
Rabbi Dr Werner van der Zyl (1902–1984), rabbi in Berlin and London.[17] Van der Zyl was a founder and President of Leo Baeck College, London, and also President of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (now known as the Movement for Reform Judaism); he was also Life Vice President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Jack Rosenthal (1931–2004), playwright, who wrote early episodes of ITV's Coronation Street and over 150 screenplays, including original TV plays, feature films, and adaptations[5]