Merthyr Tydfil Jewish Community

Merthyr once had a large and prosperous Jewish community dating from at least the 1820's. The descendants of the 19th and 20th century community now are scattered. The last Jew of Merthyr, George Black, died in Manchester around 1998.

Congregation Data

The Merthyr Tydfil community had the following congregation:
 

Name:	Merthyr Tydfil Hebrew Congregation
Address:	Church Street, Thomas Town, Merthyr Tydfil
Former Address:	Victoria Street, Merthyr Tydfil
Local Government:	From 1996 - the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil - a unitary authority 1974 to 1996 - the district of Merthyr Tydfil in the county of Mid Glamorgan 1908 to 1974 - the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil in the county of Glamorganshire
Date Founded:	1848
Synagogue Built:	1872-7 (in 1955 - reconstructed and dedicated - article in Merthyr Express) (in 2009 - to be turned into flats - article in South Wales Echo)
Current Status:	Closed
Ritual:	Ashkenazi Orthodox
Membership Data:	1900 - 27 seatholders (The Jewish Year Book 1900/01)

Articles of the Merthyr Tydfil Jewish Community

How 'Greeners' Came to the Valleys. Wallach, M., reproduced from the Jewish Chronicle Colour Magazine, 1975.

The Jews of Merthyr Tydfil. Wendy Bellany, reproduced from Shemot (JGSGB), September 2001.

Merthyr Tydfil Cemetery Information

Merthyr Jewish Cemetery - a poem written and read by Grahame Davies (published in his anthology,
"The Chosen  People - Wales and the Jews"), with pictures contributed by Wendy Bellany.

IAJGS Cemetery Project - Merthyr Tydfil Cemetery

Other Merthyr Tydfil Jewish Information