Collection GB 0074 LMA/4440 - SUSSER, Bernard (1930-1997)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0074 LMA/4440

Title

SUSSER, Bernard (1930-1997)

Date(s)

  • 1993-1997 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

0.33 linear metres

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Bernard Susser was born in 1930 in London. He was educated in Islington, at Jews College (now the London School of Jewish Studies) and at Exeter University where he wrote a PhD thesis on the Jewish communities of South-West England. Rabbi Susser worked as a minister in England, Israel and South Africa. His interest in Anglo-Jewish history lasted his whole life and he published many articles and edited several books: his book Jews of South-West England was much acclaimed. Rabbi Susser died in London, his last home, in 1997.

In 1993 the Working Party on Jewish Monuments in the UK and Ireland started a survey of the Alderney Road Cemetery in Stepney with Rabbi Susser as one of the supervisors. Rabbi Susser's last published work Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery, London E1 1697-1853 reported on this survey as well as marking the tercentenary of what is the oldest Ashkenazi cemetery in England. Following the resettlement of Jews in 1656 Ashkenazi Jews at first used the Sephardi cemetery in Mile End (opened 1657). The Alderney Road (previously known as Colt Yard and Three Colt Yard) site was acquired in 1696/97 by a prominent Jewish broker Benjamin Levy. Famous members of the Jewish community who were buried here include: the first Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Aaron Hart; the Baal Shem of London, Rabbi Hayim Samuel Jacob de Falk; and Judith Levy, sometimes known as the "Duchess of Richmond Green".

Rabbi Susser's "Alderney Road" was published in the summer of 1997, just after his death in April 1997. As he had planned a tercentenary service was held at the Cemetery in the June; the ceremony was conducted by the Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks and the book was launched as part of the day's events.

Archival history

GB 0074 LMA/4440 1993-1997 Collection 0.33 linear metres Susser , Bernard , 1930-1997 , historian and rabbi

Bernard Susser was born in 1930 in London. He was educated in Islington, at Jews College (now the London School of Jewish Studies) and at Exeter University where he wrote a PhD thesis on the Jewish communities of South-West England. Rabbi Susser worked as a minister in England, Israel and South Africa. His interest in Anglo-Jewish history lasted his whole life and he published many articles and edited several books: his book Jews of South-West England was much acclaimed. Rabbi Susser died in London, his last home, in 1997.

In 1993 the Working Party on Jewish Monuments in the UK and Ireland started a survey of the Alderney Road Cemetery in Stepney with Rabbi Susser as one of the supervisors. Rabbi Susser's last published work Alderney Road Jewish Cemetery, London E1 1697-1853 reported on this survey as well as marking the tercentenary of what is the oldest Ashkenazi cemetery in England. Following the resettlement of Jews in 1656 Ashkenazi Jews at first used the Sephardi cemetery in Mile End (opened 1657). The Alderney Road (previously known as Colt Yard and Three Colt Yard) site was acquired in 1696/97 by a prominent Jewish broker Benjamin Levy. Famous members of the Jewish community who were buried here include: the first Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Aaron Hart; the Baal Shem of London, Rabbi Hayim Samuel Jacob de Falk; and Judith Levy, sometimes known as the "Duchess of Richmond Green".

Rabbi Susser's "Alderney Road" was published in the summer of 1997, just after his death in April 1997. As he had planned a tercentenary service was held at the Cemetery in the June; the ceremony was conducted by the Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks and the book was launched as part of the day's events.

Deposited in July 1997.

Papers of Rabbi Bernard Susser relating to the survey of Alderney Road Cemetery done in 1993-1997, including notes, illustrations and working papers.

There is one series: LMA/4440/01: Alderney Road Cemetery.

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

English

Fit.

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

For further information please consult the LMA Information Leaflet: "Records of the Anglo-Jewish Community at London Metropolitan Archives"; available to download here: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm (URL correct Feb 2010).

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Description prepared in March 2010. Ancient religions Judaism Cultural identity Jewish Architecture Monuments Historic monuments History Historical research Enterprises Public enterprises Public utilities Burial grounds Cemeteries Religious groups Jews Religions Religion Susser , Bernard , 1930-1997 , historian and rabbi Alderney Road Cemetery , Jewish cemetery Tower Hamlets London England UK Western Europe Europe Stepney

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Deposited in July 1997.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Rabbi Bernard Susser relating to the survey of Alderney Road Cemetery done in 1993-1997, including notes, illustrations and working papers.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

There is one series: LMA/4440/01: Alderney Road Cemetery.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 1998.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

London Metropolitan Archives

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area