IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 LMA/4440
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: SUSSER, Bernard (1930-1997)
Date(s): 1993-1997
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 0.33 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Susser | Bernard | 1930-1997 | historian and rabbi
CONTEXT
Administrative/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.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of Rabbi Bernard Susser relating to the survey of Alderney Road Cemetery done in 1993-1997, including notes, illustrations and working papers.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
There is one series: LMA/4440/01: Alderney Road Cemetery.
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.
Physical characteristics:
Fit.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Deposited in July 1997.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Publication note:
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).
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: Description prepared in March 2010.