Storm Eunice: Felled trees damage graves at two Jewish cemeteries

Tombstones at two historic Jewish cemeteries were damaged on Friday during Storm Eunice.

Tress brought down by extreme weather landed on graves at both Lauriston Road cemetery in Hackney and Willesden Cemetery, which are under the auspices of the United Synagogue.

The US said repairs were already underway and the families of loved ones buried at the cemeteries have been informed – where there is a next of kin.

This comes after Storm Eunice left 1.4 million households without electricity, and claimed the lives of four people.

No synagogues reported any damages from the storm and shul services took place as planned.

Lali Virdee, the United Synagogue’s Property Director, said: “The United Synagogue takes very seriously its mandate to maintain the resting places of tens of thousands of members of the community.

“In addition, we support some 60 communities across England with both their synagogue and associated property needs and we are pleased that no damage has been reported to our shul buildings and other sites.”

Willesden is the only Jewish cemetery on England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, and is the final resting place of scientist Rosalind Franklin, jeweller Harriet Samuel, and zoologist Lord Walter Rothschild.