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Jewish Burial Grounds

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Southsea, Jews Lane Cemetery

Unlike Christian churchyards, Jewish Burial Grounds are not generally located next to the synagogue. According to Halakhah [Orthodox Jewish law] burial grounds must be located outside the walls of the city. This was not always possible if Jews were forced to live in ghettos, as in the case of Prague's famous Old Jewish Cemetery. In England, Rochester in Kent is unique in that the 18th century Jewish cemetery is immediately behind Chatham Memorial Synagogue, which dates from the mid 19th century, but is separated from it by a steep bank.

Glossary