In two visits, one in April and one in May, members attended a guided tour by local historian Keith Pearce of the locked, Grade II listed, Penzance Jewish Cemetery.
Keith has researched the transient Jewish settlers who came from the Rhineland and Holland, made their home in the port of Penzance back in the 17th and 18th centuries.
He told how they worshipped at a Synagogue in the town and their most important acquisition was a place of burial.
As merchants they prospered then as the local economy declined, due to the collapse mainly of mining, they moved on.
Keith’s story telling ability had us all transported back to before many houses were built in and around Penzance and how they managed to acquire their cemetery site from local gentry.
Keith gave all who attended a copy of his booklet on the subject to take away.
Crowlas & Ludgvan WI 