Llanelli Jewish Community

Created: 16 January 2012

Press Reports about the Llanelli Jewish Community 1902 - 1986

Compiled by Harold Pollins

Information within square brackets is from the compiler

(Note: The spelling of this town's name, for much of its history, was officially Llanelly, as it is in these press reports. It is now Llanelli, having been changed in  the mid-1960s.)


Jewish Chronicle, 22 August 1902, page 21

At a meeting held by the Jews of Llanelly on Sunday last, it was resolved to hold services for the ensuing holidays. These will be the first Jewish services held in the ancient Welsh town. A subscription list was opened to defray expenses, and the sum of £10 10s. was collected. The following gentlemen were elected as officers: President, Mr. W. Lyons; Treasurer, Mr. I. Benjamin; Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. Joseph; and Mr. H. Rubenstein and Mr. Polokovski on the Committee.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 2 January 1903, page 10

The success which attended the services during the last High Festivals encouraged the promoters to arrange for permanent services, which have since been regularly held at the residence of Mr. Rubenstein. The advantage of holding service in a regular synagogue having now made itself felt, a local Committee has been formed, and subscriptions are being collected in aid of the Building Fund. Up to the present £54 has been raised.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 17 July 1908, page 28

The foundation-stone of the new Llanelly Synagogue was laid on Tuesday afternoon by Mr. Hyam Goldberg, of Swansea. Bouquets were presented to Mrs. and Miss Goldberg. The ceremony was conducted by the Revs. I. Solomon, of Llanelly, and H.J. Sandheim, of Swansea. Psalms cxviii. And c. were read. Mr. I. Benjamin, President, then presented a silver trowel to Mr. Goldberg, who laid the foundation-stone. The Rev. H.J. Sandheim delivered an eloquent address, exhorting the congregation to render the synagogue a centre of beneficent activity. The prayer for the King and Royal Family was following by the reading of Psalm cl. The National Anthem was then sung, the second verse of which was rendered by Rev. M. Lubner, of Swansea. A reception followed, at which letters of apology for non-attendance and good wishes were read from the Chief Rabbi, the Mayor of Swansea and a large number of Christian clergymen in the town. Several of the latter included verses in Hebrew in their letters. Mr. Hyam Goldberg, in the course of an address, impressed upon his hearers the importance of keeping their place of worship worthy of the town. He congratulated the Wardens on the result of their efforts, and hoped the congregation would always be guided by capable men. He expressed regret at the fact that there was no centralisation of forces among the congregations of South Wales, and hoped to see some attempt at affiliation. There was also a great need for the provision of a good religious education, which must be within the reach of the poorest in the town. He congratulated the congregation on the good feeling that existed between Jews and non-Jews in the town, and advised them to throw themselves into the public life of the community. The Rev. D. E. Rees, a Christian minister, said he had been interested in the ceremony which had just taken place. He was a Welshman brought up in Cardiganshire, and met very few English people till he was sixteen years of age, but he was well acquainted from early childhood with the Jewish people through the Bible. He concluded with the verse Shema Yisrael [in Hebrew]. Mr. I. Benjamin proposed and Mr. H. Rubenstein seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr., Mrs. and Miss Goldberg. About £60 was received, including £25 from Mr. Goldberg.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 21 May 1909, page 14

On Tuesday afternoon Dr. Adler proceeded to Llanelly for the consecration of the synagogue there. The synagogue, which is a bright building capable of seating about 200, was opened by Mr. Barnett Goldberg of Swansea. Mr. Goldberg was presented with a gold key suitably inscribed. The service was conducted by the Revs. M. Lubner, of Swansea, and S. Solomon, of Llanelly, and the choir of the Swansea Synagogue … After Mincha, Dr. Adler delivered a sermon, appealing for funds to assist the reduction of the remaining debt of £600, and urging the congregants to make their new synagogue a powerful asset to the community … Donations to the amount of £100 were announced by the Chairman, the Rev. H.J. Sandheim … Among the many handsome presents to the synagogue are two large brass tablets with the Ten Commandments in black letters, the work of Mr. S. Miron, one of the members.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 3 December 1915, page 8

From Llanelly comes the news that a new Hebrew congregation has been formed. According the last edition of the “Jewish Year Book” the total number of Jews in this Welsh town is seventy, men, women and children - and these already have one synagogue. If we reckon the number of adult males at half, a very high figure, we shall get something like seventeen members per congregation. And yet we have still to go on asking for some scheme of Communal Re-organisation!
 

Jewish Chronicle, 10 March 1916, page 3

LLANELLY
(NEW) HEBREW CONGREGATION
WANTED Shochet, Reader and Teacher (with knowledge of English); single man preferred; salary 30s. Per week and perquisites. Apply to Secretary, R. Palto, 33, Station-road, Llanelly