By David Saffer

Six Holocaust victims murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau will be buried at Bushey New Cemetery next week (January 20, am).

The United Synagogue has called on the community to attend the funeral.

The office of the Chief Rabbi was made aware by the Imperial War Museum of ashes and remains, understood to be of five adults and a child, which have been in IWM’s care until now.

The victims will now be afforded the dignity of a Jewish burial, something denied to them and six million others over 70 years ago.

Whilst a national Holocaust memorial is in the planning process, it is notable that Jewish remains of the Shoah will be laid to rest forever here in the United Kingdom.
British Jews are still subjected to anti-Semitic incidents across the political and community life seven decades on from the Holocaust.

Only this week, Shenley United Synagogue, was daubed with sickening graffiti.

The Hertfordshire village is just a few miles from Bushey where a poignant ceremony will take place.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has thanked the United Synagogue for making the internment possible.

“For everyone connected with the United Synagogue, and I’m quite sure the entire community, this can only be described as the ultimate act of kindness, because, as with all burials, nobody can be thanked for what you’ve done,” commented US President, Michael Goldstein.

“We have the opportunity to do what was denied to our brothers and sisters during the Holocaust, to provide a dignified and appropriate Jewish burial.
“We must remember that although we have only the remains of a number of victims of the Shoah, each was a person in their own right, with a family and a life and a Jewish identity, with hopes and dreams just like each of us.”

Mr Goldstein added, “One of them was a child, so I will hug my own children especially tightly next Sunday.

“I thank all of my colleagues who will make this burial possible and know that each of them feels acutely the huge burden of responsibility for what we are doing.

“We welcome all those who wish to attend to join us at the levaya to pay their respects.”

The burial will takle place at Bushey New Cemetery, Little Bushey Lane, Bushey WD23 3FF.

Special provision will be made for Holocaust survivors.

Survivors or those acting on their behalf should contact amada@usburial.org.uk