Maori Honour Kiwi PM & Campaigner at 180th Anniversary Memorial

30th June 2016 - On Monday evening a memorial service with a difference took place at The United Synagogue’s Willesden Cemetery. The memorial service was for Sir Julius Vogel, the late Prime Minister of New Zealand. It took place in the presence of Sir Lockwood Smith, the New Zealand High Commissioner on the occasion of the 180th anniversary of Sir Vogel’s birth and 140th anniversary of his premiership.

Sir Julius Vogel was the first practising Jewish Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is credited with working on reconciliation with the Māori people, introducing the first women’s suffrage Bill to Parliament. He was also one of the pioneers of the New Zealand railways and fought hard for democracy.

The memorial service was led by Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, Senior Rabbi at Finchley United Synagogue and former Senior Rabbi in Auckland. It included the Haka performed by Ngati Ranana, from the London Maori Club.

Speaking at the memorial service, Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence said: “It is a pleasure to bring our diverse and historic communities together to mark the life of a Jewish man who has contributed so much to the establishment of New Zealand. Just as Julius Vogel’s life was a point of intersection a century and a half ago; this commemoration gives us the opportunity to come together and celebrate the strong ties between the English Jewish community and the peoples of New Zealand “.

Chair of The US Heritage Committee and US Trustee, Brian Markeson added: “Following a successful bid for a development grant to the Heritage Lottery Fund The US is working to restore Willesden Cemetery and its heritage for generations to come. This is one project from US Heritage which is looking to create an understanding of our past and what it means for both our contemporary community and wider society today.”

In his address at the memorial service, Sir Lockwood Smith, the High New Zealand High Commissioner said: “Sir Julius Vogel was a profound political thinker and helped transform New Zealand into a place where economic growth and prosperity became possible. That extraordinary period of expansion in New Zealand became known as the Vogel Period. He helped New Zealand lead the world to give women the vote. He believed women should play a full part in society. His was a remarkable life underpinned by his strong Jewish faith throughout his life “.

Willesden United Synagogue Jewish Cemetery is a late Victorian cemetery in London containing the graves of more than 26,000 people. It is unique in terms of British Jewish heritage and includes the burial places of some of the most notable individuals of British Jewry, many of whom also made a mark on national and international life.
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