Part of our recent visit to Sandwich included a trip to Ramsgate to see the Montefiore synagogue and mausoleum. Unfortunately, at the last minute, we were unable to have the usual in-depth talk about the history, but this is a beautiful building and it was good to visit the place where some of the Kitchener men attended services – and some were married here. We did have an interesting short talk from a very kind gentleman who stepped up at the last minute, and some words from author Clare Ungerson, who gave us some more information about the site as it relates to the Kitchener history.
We are only too aware that not everyone who wants to can get to London and the south coast easily, where most of the archives – and the Kitchener site – are located.
It’s quite trip even for many in the UK, let alone an impossibility for those living overseas – although we have been lucky that for most of these events so far we have had Kitchener descendants join us from as far away as the USA and Australia, if their trips have happened to coincide with an event.
But for the many families who can’t join us, I am uploading images whenever I can. In this instance, I waited to check with the Montefiore Endowment Board that there were no security or other issues surrounding the posting of photographs before doing so, and we have now had the OK from them.
So – below – the Montefiore synagogue and mausoleum, Ramsgate – another significant place in our shared Kitchener history.
For the website of the Montefiore synagogue: https://www.montefioreendowment.org.uk/sirmoses/ramsgate/
The Wikipedia page on Sir Moses Montefiore is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Montefiore
And for more information on the synagogue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montefiore_Synagogue
The diary of Phineas May: Sunday, 2 July 1939 I think the whole Camp wished to see me this morning about one thing or another. There were two Weddings solemnised in the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue in Ramsgate. It is a beautiful little Synagogue in White Marble and Gold. The Service is Spanish and Portugese. Beside the Synagogue is his Tomb. The two young couples met at J.’s flat, as he acted as sponsor in both cases. Banks acted as best man for one and I for the other. After the ceremony the Minister invited the Wedding Party to Tea at his house next door and they had been to a lot of trouble to make a nice tea. The comrades of the Bridgegrooms had both arranged a “Wedding Feast” in their huts, and so we of course had to make the usual “social round”.
Kitchener author Clare Ungerson giving descendants some information about the synagogue
