A Look Through our Archives

 

Willesden Jewish Cemetery 

Willesden Jewish Cemetery is a Victorian-era cemetery founded in 1873 which has long been considered a prestigious place of burial. Many prominent Jews are buried there, including numerous Chief Rabbis of the British Empire, various members of the Rothschild family, many scholars and scientists, writers, poets, artists, and more.  

 

Among the many people buried here are three past presidents of the Shaar Hashomayim, all members of the Moss family, who were among the earliest members of the congregation. As I am currently on a trip to London, I took a visit to the cemetery to visit their places of burial. 

 

 

Archivist Hannah Srour-Zackon lays a stone on the grave of John E. Moss, Shaar president from 1885 to 1890 

 

The Moss Family 

When Congregation Shaar Hashomayim was founded in 1846 as a breakaway congregation from Shearith Israel (the Spanish and Portuguese), it consisted of only a handful of families. It took the congregation some time to find its footing. It was only when the prominent Moss family, who had established a successful business, joined the congregation that things began to move in more productive directions. The first generation of the family, brothers David, Edward, and Lawrence Moss, all born in England, were all integral members of the community. Both David and Edward were early presidents of the synagogue. It was David Moss who laid the cornerstone of the first building on St. Constant Street. Through Lawrence Moss died while still in Montreal, his two brothers both eventually returned to London where they remained for the rest of their lives. 

 

Edward’s son John E. Moss and David’s son Hyam D. Moss (some records refer to him as Hyman) remained and became leaders of the congregation in their own right. John served as president of the congregation from 1885 to 1890 and Hyam as the congregation’s president in 1871 and 1881–4, as well as parnass. Yet eventually this second generation left for England too. 

 

Why did the Moss family leave? 

 

Rabbi Shuchat offers a plausible explanation for this in his book The Gate of Heaven: The Story of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal, 1846–1896:  

“This was a pattern followed by many families at the time… Why did they do so? For one thing, many of them regarded England as home and Canada as a temporary sojourn. If they were in a family business, they felt that they had spent enough time in the branch and wanted to return to the home office. Some families thought that their children would have better opportunities for marriage in England. There was also the question of being with family again and possibly being buried close to relatives. Presumably these considerations applied to the Moss family.” (p. 41–2) 

 

Edward Moss 

 

Edward Moss was born in London in 1816. He serviced as Shaar President in 1864, and died in 1876, just 11 years after leaving Canada. The front of his tombstone reads:  

 

 

Sacred to the Memory Edward Moss Esq. of Inverness Terrace, Hyde Park, who departed this life December 8th 1876 5637, aged 62 years. 

 

Deeply regretted by his sorrowing widow and children and a large circle of friends. May his soul rest in peace. 

 

 

The side of the stone reads: 

This monument was erected by his bereaved widow and children as a tribute of their love to the dear departed. He was a friend to all and his good deeds will follow him for many years. He was a resident of Montreal, Canada and his good works there remain to perpetuate his memory.  

“A good name is better than precious ointment” 

 

John E. Moss 

 

Photograph of John E. Moss, date unknown. 

 

John E. Moss was born in Montreal around 1843 and left for London in 1890 where he died in 1902. The years of his presidency were fruitful. It was under his leadership that the construction of the McGill College building was completed and the synagogue officially adopted the Shaar Hashomayim name. As Rabbi Shuchat writes in his book:  

“At a meeting just prior to the consecration, John Moss, the president, offered this interpretation of the new name: ‘Only a year ago many of us thought it was only a dream and would never be carried out. But I am glad to be able to say to you to-day that if a dream it was, it was not unlike the vision of our Father Jacob who saw a ladder the summit which reached the Gate of Heaven. So we in our fond dream have been permitted to create the ladder of progress which will bring us up to the House of God which by the way will be designated, Shaar Hashomayim, the Gate of Heaven.’” (p. 40) 

 

 

The tombstone of John Edward Moss reads: 

In Loving Memory of John Edward Moss. Of 35 Winden Gardens W., late of Montreal, Canada, who departed this life May 25th 1902, 5662, aged 57 years. Deeply mourned by his sorrowing widow and children. May his Soul rest in Peace.  

 

Hyam David Moss 

 

Photograph of Hyam (Hyman) David Moss in the interior of the McGill College Synagogue. Hyam D. Moss was born in Montreal c. 1845 and served as the congregation’s treasurer and parnass, and later president in 1871 and 1881–4. P

 

 

The tombstone of Hyam David Moss reads: 

In Loving Memory of our dear father Hyam David Moss, of 73 Queensborough Terrace W., formerly of Montreal Canada. Died October 21st 1914, aged 69. “Mark the innocent man and behold the upright, for the latter end of that man is peace.” [Psalm 37:37] 

 

Sources: 

1. https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/ 

2.The Gate of Heaven: The Story of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Montreal, 1846–1896 by Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat 

 

Got any questions? Contact me at hsrourzackon@theshaar.org or museum@theshaar.org