Swansea Hebrew Congregation

Swansea, South Wales

JCR-UK is a genealogical and historical website covering all Jewish communities and congregations
throughout the British Isles and Gibraltar, both past and present.
NOTE: We are not the official website of this congregation.

The former Goat Street Synagogue
destroyed by enemy action, 1941

Congregation Data

Name:

Swansea Hebrew Congregation

Address:

The congregation now generally holds services in a rented hall in Ffynone Road, Uplands, Swansea.⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Ffynone synagogue

Until 2009, the congregation's address was the Synagogue, Ffynone Road, Uplands, Swansea SA1 6BT.^(iv) This was a purpose-built synagogue, the site, previously known as Ashleigh (Parc Wearn Schools), Ffynone, was acquired in 1945 for £3,000 (partly financed by a £2,000 war damage claim following the destruction of the congregation's previous synagogue in a German air raid).^(v)

However, the building of the synagogue did not commence until 1952, the foundation stone being laid by Chief Rabbi Dr. Israel Brodie on 30 October 1952. On 18 April 1955, the Chief Rabbi returned for the consecration of the new synagogue,^(viii) which had seating for 84 congregants, with a hall large enough to seat a further 260 people.^(ix) During the latter period of construction, from about 1953, the congregation used part of the hall in the unfinished building.^(x)

As a result of a drastic decline in the size of the Swansea Jewish community, the synagogue was sold in 2009 to the LifePoint Church.^(xi)

Previous Addresses:

Wind Street

The community's first synagogue (in fact, the first synagogue in Wales, at least since the medieval period), from the 1740s until 1789, was in Wind Street, Swansea, near the docks, services initially being held in part of the the house of David Michael, at the back of his sitting room, and subsequently a small synagogue was constructed by him at the rear of his house, with capacity for some 40 congregants.^(xiv)

The Strand

From 1789 until 1818, the synagogue was in a room in a wooden building "opposite Mr. Essery's warehouse" in The Strand, Swansea.^(xv)

Waterloo Street

On 18 May 1818, the foundation stone was laid for the construction, on a plot of land between Waterloo Street and Goat Street, Swansea, of the first ever purpose-built synagogue in Wales.^(xvi) The plot had recently been acquired by the congregation, initially under a ninety-nine year lease. The synagogue had a capacity for 55 to 70 congregants and remained in use until 1859.^(xvii)

Goat Street

In 1859, the existing synagogue site was redeveloped^(xviii) with the synagogue being replaced by a new larger synagogue, known as the Goat Street Synagogue, designed by Henry Bayliss,^(xxi) with capacity for 228 people (120 men and 108 women). The synagogue was consecrated on 25 September 1859 by Herman Adler, as his father, Chief Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler, who was to have officiated, was unwell.^(xxii) It remained the congregation's synagogue until February 1941, when it was destroyed in a German air raid.^(xxiii)

Congregation Building, Cornhill House

In 1915, the congregation purchased premises at Cornhill House, Christian Street, Swansea, for use as classrooms, as well as housing the community's mikveh and having a poultry yard. Following destruction of the synagogue in Goat Street in 1941, Cornhill House (as well as other temporary premises) was used as a synagogue pending construction of the Ffynone synagogue, and was sold in 1956.^(xxiv)

Current Status:

Although the Congregation is still functioning, as a result of dwindling membership, prayer services are no longer held on a regular basis.

Date Founded:

The traditional date for the foundation of the community is 1780, but this appears too late, as it was in 1768 that a plot of land was granted for a cemetery, and there is evidence of a synagogue building since the 1740s. Furthermore, in 1980, the congregation celebrated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Swansea community.

Incorporated Congregations:

Swansea Beth Hemedrash, established initially in 1906 as supplementary to the congregation, but developed as a separate congregation.^(xxv) In 1955 it was incorporated into the Congregation.

Llanelli Synagogue (in 1984).

Port Talbot Synagogue (in about the 1950s).

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

A provincial synagogue under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi.

Ministers:^(xxvii)
(To view a short profile of a minister or reader, etc. whose name appears in blue - hold the cursor over his name.)

Rev. Moses Hyamson - the congregation's first minister, from 1884 until 1888^(xxviii)

Rev. Harris L. Price - from January 1889 until 1890^(xxix)

Rev. Jacob Phillips - from 1891 until 1893^(xxx)

Rev. Phillip Wolfers - from 1893 until 1899^(xxxi)

Rev. Simon Fyne - from 1899 until 1906^(xxxii)

Rev. Herbert J. Sandheim - from January 1907 until 1912^(xxxv)

Rev. Moses H. Segal - from 1921 until about 1923^(xxxvi)

Rev. Simon J. Goldberg - from about 1926 until 1928^(xxxvii)

Rev. J. Weintrobe, BA - from 1930 until 1946 (although he received temporary release to serve as a chaplain during World War II)^(xxxviii)

Rev. Cecil M. Bloch - from August 1946 until 1947^(xxxix)

Rev. Emmanuel Morris - from March 1948 until mid 1950^(xlii)

Rev. Wilfred Wolfson - from late 1957 until early 1960^(xliii)

Rev. David Lipsidge - from 1961 until 1962^(xliv)

Rev. J. Freedman - from 1962 until 1969,^(xlv) having previously served as reader (see below)

Rev. Maurice A. Kibel - from September 1976 until 1981,^(xlvi) and thereafter on part-time basis until at least 1995.

Readers & Shochets:

Rev. Meir ben Judah - shochet in about 1829^(l)

Rev. Barnett Abrahams - reader in early 1840s^(li)

Rev. I. Piser - reader and shochet from 1851, departure date unknown.^(lii)

Rev. Joseph Tuchman - reader and shochet from 1859 until 1874^(liii)

Rev. Lazarus J. Slevansky - reader and shochet from 1874 to 1876^(liv)

Rev. Israel Leventon - reader and shochet from 1876 until at least 1879^(lvii)

Rev. Israel Miron - reader and shochet from 1881 until 1906^(lviii)

Rev. Morris Lubner - assistant minister and reader from 1906 until 1922^(lix)

Rev. Joseph Goldston - teacher, preacher and assistant reader from about 1915 until 1920^(lx)

Rev. Emanuel Tessler - reader from about 1922 until about 1923^(lxiv)

Rev. Lazarus J. Muscat - reader and shochet 1923 until 1924^(lxv)

Rev. Harry Fineberg - reader and shochet from 1924 until 1946^(lxvi)

Rev. Jack Grant (Goldstein) - reader in about 1946^(lxvii)

Rev. Michael Isaacs - reader in about 1946/7^(lxviii)

Rev. Boruchas M. Starr - acting shochet and teacher in 1947/8^(lxxi)

Rev. Erich Cahn - second or acting reader from 1951 until 1952^(lxxii)

Rev. Leo Sichel - second reader from 1952 until 1954^(lxxiii)

Rev. Abraham Brysh - reader, shochet and headmaster from 1951 until 1957^(lxxiv)

Rev. Meyer Fine - second reader from 1955 until 1956^(lxxvii)

Rev. J. Freedman - second reader from 1956 and reader from 1957 until 1962,^(lxxviii) subsequently a minister (see above)

Rev. Maurice Schwartz - reader from 1964 until 1975^(lxxix)

Lay Officers:

Except where otherwise stated, the following data has been extracted exclusively from listings in Jewish Year Books, first published in 1896/7, although in many instances an officer's first name has been obtained from other sources.^(lxxxiv)

Presidents

in and about 1848 - B. Joseph^(lxxxv)

1850-1857 - Isaac Jacobs^(lxxxvi)

1857 until at least 1860 - Simon Goldberg^(lxxxvii)

by 1862 until the latest 1863 - David Frankell^(lxxxviii)

1863 until at least 1865 - Solomon Brown^(xci)

by 1971 until the latest 1872 - Chapman Jacobs^(xcii)

1872-1875 - Isaac Seline^(xciii)

1875-1877 - Solomon Brown^(xciv)

1877 until at least 1879 - Joel Jacobs^(xcv)

by 1883 until at least 1887 - Simon Goldberg^(xcviii)

by 1889 until at least 1891 - Isaac Seline^(xcix)

1892-1893 - Braham Freedman^(c)

1893-1896 - Solomon Lyons^(ci)

1896-1897 - Barnett Goldberg

1897-1900 - Abraham Lyons^(cii)

1900-1901 - Michael Jacobs^(cv)

1901 - A. Shepherd^(cvi)

1901-1904 - Hyam Goldberg^(cvii)

1904-1906 - Ernest Barnett

1906-1907 - Solomon Lyons

1907-1908 - Asher Doggots^(cviii)

1908-1909 - David Seline^(cix)

1909-1910 - Abraham Levy^(cxii)

1910-1913 - Abraham Freedman^(cxiii)

1913-1914 - Isaac Seline

1914-1924 - I.R. Levi

1924-1926 - S. Goodman^(cxiv)

1926-1928 - I.R. Levi

1928-1930 - H. Silverstone

1930-1934 - I.R. Levi

1935-1936 - Lewis Palto

1936-1937 - A. Barer

1937-1940 - Lewis Palto

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Lewis Palto

1946-1947 - Walter Hyman

1947-1950 - Lewis Palto

1950-1951 - H. Jackson

1951-1954 - H. Glass

1954-1955 - N. Seal

1955-1956 - Lewis Palto

from-1956 - no data

Hon. Life Presidents

1919-1934 - I.R. Levi^(cxvii)

1935-1936 - Edward Levi

1950-1962 - Lewis Palto^(cxviii)

from 1963 - Abraham Freedman^(cxix)

Chairmen

1949-1950 - O.J. Benjamin

1950-1951 - H. Glass

1951-1986 - no data

1986-1990 - H. Landy

1990-2012 - H.M. Sherman

Vice Presidents

1951-1954 - N. Seal

1954-1955 - S.H. Goldberg

Treasurers

1857 until the latest 1862 - David Frankell^(cxxiii)

1863 until at least 1865 - Chapman Jacobs^(cxxiv)

1872-1875 - Simon Goldberg^(cxxv)

1875-1877 - Joel Jacobs^(cxxvi)

1877 until at least 1879 - Isaac Seline^(cxxvii)

1890 until at least 1891 - Solomon Barnett^(cxxx)

1892-1893 - Solomon Lyons^(cxxxi)

1893 until at least 1894 - David Harris^(cxxxii)

by 1895-1896 - Barnett Goldberg^(cxxxiii)

1896-1897 - Abraham Lyons

1897-1898 - Solomon Barnett

1898-1900 - Michael Jacobs^(cxxxiv)

1900-1901 - David Seline^(cxxxvii)

1901 - Michael L. Marks^(cxxxvii)

1901 - Rev. Simon Fyne^(cxxxvii)

1901-1903 - Ernest Barnett

1903-1904 - P. Mendelson

1904-1906 - I.R. Levi

1906-1907 - Asher Doggots

1907-1909 - Abraham Freedman

1909-1910 - L. Hyman

1910-1913 - D. Saul^(cxxxviii)

1913-1920 - I.R. Levi

1920-1924 - Asher Deggots

1924-1926 - A. Barer

1926-1928 - B. Cohen

1928-1930 - J. Plosker

1930-1931 - B. Cohen

1931-1935 - Lewis Palto

1935-1936 - J. Plosker

1936-1937 - E. Shatz

1937-1939 - H. Glass

1939-1940 - H. Jackson

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - H. Jackson

1946-1947 - Lewis Palto

1947-1948 - J. Kurshion

1948-1949 - Walter Hyman

1949-1950 - H. Jackson

1950-1951 - H. Cohen

1951-1955 - G. Levy

1955-1956 - J. Plosker

Wardens

1946-1947 - Lewis Palto

1947-1948 - J. Kurshion

1948-1949 - Walter Hyman

1949-1951 - S.H. Goldberg

1951-1954 - H. Glass (Snr) & N. Seal (Jnr)

1954-1955 - N. Seal (Snr) & S.H. Goldberg (Jnr)

1955-1956 - Lewis Palto

Secretaries and Hon. Secretaries

1890-1892 - Braham Freedman^(cxli)

1892-1901 - no data

1901-1902 - Rev. Simon Fyne^(cxlii)

1903-1911 - no data

1911-1914 - Isaac Seline

1914-1918 - I.R. Levi

1918-1924 - S. Rubinstein

1924-1926 - Abe Levi

1926-1928 - S. Beckman

1928-1929 - H. Zagerman

1929-1930 - B. Levinson

1932-1940 - M. Flemhood

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1947 - M. Flemhood

1947-1948 - Len Goss

1948-1949 - M. Black

1949-1950 - L. Coffman

1950-1951 - Len Goss

1951-1954 - J. Silver

1954-1955 - Dr. J. Skibko

1955-1956 - A. Stephens & O.J. Benjamin

1956-1957 - A. Stephens

1957-1959 - S. Black

1959-1960 - E. Glick

1960-1963 - G. Gerson

1963-1964 - O.J. Benjamin

1964-1966 - M. Black

1966-1969 - S. Plosker

1969-1970 - A. Stephens

1970-1973 - G. Pastor & W. Glick

1973-1984 - M. Bernstein

1984-1986 - L. Dulin

Registrar for Marriages

1875-1922 - Isaac Seline^(cxliii)

1922-1934 - I.R. Levi

Membership Data:

Early Reports

1845 - 11 Ba'ale Batim (including 2 non-resident) and 13 seatholders (Chief Rabbi's Questionnaire)^(cxlvii)

Number of seatholders - Goldblum Article:^(cxlviii)

1857

1858

1859

1861

1862

1863

29

29

32

43

45

46

Number of seatholders - Board of Deputies Returns:^(cxlix)

1852

1860

1870

1880

1890

1900

21

52

30

48

55

81

Number of seatholders - as reported in Jewish Year Books:^(cl)

1899

1900

1906

1908

1909

1911

54

60

68

70

95

110

Number of seatholders - Other Sources:^(cli)

1895

1914

2009

c.95

147

20

Reports and Surveys^(cliv)

1977 - 86 male (or household) members and 47 female members

1983 - 76 male (or household) members and 48 female members

1990 - 98 members (comprising 36 households, 18 individual male and 44 individual female members)

1996 - 66 members (comprising 27 households, 17 individual male and 22 individual female members)

2010 - listed as having under 50 members (by household)

Worship Registration

The synagogue in Ffynone was registered as a Place of Worship - Worship Register Number 64800 - under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855.^(clv)

Cemetery Information:

The congregation has two cemeteries. For details see Swansea Cemetery Information on the Swansea Jewish Community home page. See also Swansea Jewish Cemeteries Database.

Notes & Sources (↵ returns to text above)

(i) and (ii) Reserved.

(iii) Communication from a member of the congregation. ↵

(iv) Sharman Kadish's Jewish Heritage in Britain and Ireland (2015) ("Sharman's Jewish Heritage"), p.257. The Synagogue, Ffynone, was the address listed in Jewish Year Books from 1956. ↵

(v) 1730-1980 a souvenir brochure of the congregation (the "Souvenir Brochure"), p.61. ↵

(vi) and (vii) Reserved.

(viii) Souvenir Brochure, p.61. ↵

(ix) The Ffynone synagogue on the Swansea Council website. ↵

(x) Jewish Year Book 1955. ↵

(xi) Sharman's Jewish Heritage, p.257. Jewish Chronicle press cutting of 4 September 2009. ↵

(xii) and (xiii) Reserved.

(xiv) Cecil Roth's The Rise of Provincial Jewry ("Roth"), 1950, and the Souvenir Brochure, p.31. ↵

(xv) Roth and the Souvenir Brochure, p.31 ↵

(xvi) Section on Early Synagogues on the Swansea Council website, accessed September 2024. ↵

(xvii) Roth, the Souvenir Brochure, p.31 and Swansea by Bernard Goldblum ("Goldblum Article"), p.2. Paper presented 6 July 1975 at Conference held at University College, London, on Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain, convened by the Jewish Historical Society of Great Britain, prepared by Aubrey Newman. (Page numbering relates to the printed version and is not relevant to the online version.) ↵

(xviii) Both the section on Early Synagogues on the Swansea Council website (see above) and Sharman's Jewish Heritage, p.256, confirm that the Goat Street synagogue was constructed on the same site as the 1818 synagogue, a fact that only come to late as a result of new research. The Souvenir Brochure and Goldblum Article state that it was on a different site. ↵

(xix) and (xx) Reserved.

(xxi) The Souvenir Brochure, p.35, Goldblum Article, p.4 and The Jewish Chronicle report of 1 April 1859. To view a description of the Jewish architectural works by H. Bayliss, hold your cursor over his name. ↵

(xxii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.35 and Goldblum Article, p.4. Jewish Chronicle report of 25 September 1859. ↵

(xxiii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.60 and Jewish Year Book 1945/6. ↵

(xxiv) The Souvenir Brochure, pp. 53, 60 and Jewsh Year Books 1945/6 through 1954. ↵

(xxv) The Souvenir Brochure, p. 47. ↵

(xxvi) Reserved.

(xxvii) There is a fine line between "minister" and "reader", in particular in the early years of a congregation and once the size of the congregation begins to diminish. Rev. Hyamson is generally accepted as this congregation's first minister, although a number of spiritual leaders before him effectively carried out many of the synagogue duties of a minister. Following World War II, the distinction became much more blurred, and we have only listed as ministers those generally described as such or listed in Jewish Year Book as ministers, although elsewhere (for example in the Souvenir Brochure) such individuals may not have been described as such. ↵

(xxviii) The Jewish Chronicle of 18 July 1884 reported on Rev. Hyamson's appointment as "preacher and Hebrew teacher" in Swansea and on 16 November 1888 it reported his departure from Swansea. His appointment and that of his successors was made possible by the setting up of the Chief Rabbi's Fund for Provincial Ministers (Goldblum Article, pp.7/8). ↵

(xxix) The Jewish Chronicle of 4 January 1889 reported on Rev. Price's appointment as minister in Swansea and on 16 January 1891 it reported his election to serve St John's Wood synagogue, London. Also Goldblum Article, p.8. ↵

(xxx) The Jewish Chronicle of 3 April 1891 reported on Rev. Phillip's appointment and on 5 May 1893 it reported his move to Sunderland. Also Goldblum Article, p.8. ↵

(xxxi) The Jewish Chronicle of 9 June 1893 reported on Rev. Wolfers's appointment and on 14 April 1899 it reported his move to Cardiff. He is listed as minister of the congregation from the first Jewish Year Book (1896/7) through 1898/9. Also Goldblum Article, p.8. ↵

(xxxii) Ursula R.Q. Henriques's The Jews of South Wales ("Henriques"), Chapter 4, ("The Conduct of a Synagogue: Swansea Hebrew Congregation 1895-1914"), p.96; and The Ministry of the Reverend Simon Fyne in Swansea: 1899-1906 by Leonard Mars, Jewish Social Studies, vol. 50 (winter 1988-spring 1992) pp.83-98, which also appears as chapter 5 of Henriques - Online abstract. The Jewish Chronicle of 29 September 1899 and 6 0ctober 1899 reported on his leaving Newport for Swansea. He is listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1899/1900 through 1905/6. ↵

(xxxiii) and (xxxiv) Reserved.

(xxxv) Henriques pp. 96/8. The Jewish Chronicle of 25 January 1907 reported on his inaugural sermon at Swansea. He is listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1907/8 through 1914. ↵

(xxxvi) The Souvenir Brochure, p.55 and Rev. Segal's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1922 through 1924. ↵

(xxxvii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.55. Rev. Goldberg was not listed in Jewish Year Books with regard to this congregation. ↵

(xxxviii) The Souvenir Brochure, pp.55, 61 and 63. Rev. Weintrobe was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1931 through 1940 and 1945/6 (publication was suspended during the intervening war years). ↵

(xxxix) The Souvenir Brochure, p.63. Rev. Bloch was listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1947. ↵

(xl) and (xli) Reserved.

(xlii) Rev. Morris was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1949 and 1950. The Souvenir Brochure, p.63 confirms his dates of appointment and departure, but refers to him as acting minister, second reader and headmaster. ↵

(xliii) Rev. Wolfson was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1959 and 1960. The Souvenir Brochure, pp.63/4 confirms his dates of appointment and departure, and refers to him as minister, chazan, shochet and headmaster. ↵

(xliv) Rev. Lipsidge was listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1962. The Souvenir Brochure, p.64 confirms his dates of appointment and departure, but refers to him as shochet, porger, teacher and reader. ↵

(xlv) Rev. Freedman was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1963 through 1969, but had been listed as acting minister in the 1945/6 edition and as reader in the edition 1957 through 1961. He is mentioned in the Souvenir Brochure, pp.63 and 67 as acting minister, reader (chazan), teacher and shochet (1964-1968), noting his retirement in 1968. ↵

(xlvi) Rev. Kibel was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1977 through 1981 and previously as reader in 1976. The Souvenir Brochure, p.67 confirms his appointment as minister, reader and headmaster in 1975. ↵

(xlvii) to (xlix) Reserved.

(l) The Souvenir Brochure, p.33. ↵

(li) Jolles's Encyclopaedia of British Jewish Cantors, etc., 2024 edition ("Jolles"), p.224. ↵

(lii) Goldblum Articlep.3. His appointment was in response to an 1851 advertisement by the congregation for a shochet / hassan / mohel / baal koreh. ↵

(liii) The Jewish Chronicle of 22 July 1859 reported on Rev. Tuchman's appointment. His departure was confirmed by the Goldblum Article p.6, after 15 years of service. ↵

(liv) The Jewish Chronicle of 8 May 1874 reported on Rev. Slevansky's appointment. Dates of appointment and departure confirmed by the Goldblum Article, p.7. He was listed as secretary, reader and shochet of the congregation in the Jewish Directory for 1874, edited by Asher I. Myers. ↵

(lv) and (lvi) Reserved.

(lvii) Appointment referred to in the Goldblum Article p.7 (in which his surname is given as Levanton). Press reports in The Jewish Chronicle of 9 June 1876 and The Cambrian of 31 January 1879 confirm his presence in Swansea, where he may have remained until 1881. ↵

(lviii) Rev. Miron's appointment is confirmed in the Goldblum Article p.7 and his retirement, on the grounds of ill health, after 25 years, is mentioned in the Souvenir Brochure, p.49. He was only listed in Jewish Year Books (as assistant minister) in the 1905/6 edition, ↵

(lix) The Jewish Chronicle of 11 May 1906 reported Rev. Lubner's appointment. He was listed in Jewish Year Books 1907/8 through 1922 (the first year as assistant minister and in subsequent years as reader). The years of his appointment and departure are confirmed in the Souvenir Brochure, p.49. ↵

(lx) Based upon Rev. Goldston's listing as "preacher and assistant reader" of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1916 through 1921 and the Souvenir Brochure, p.55. ↵

(lxi) to (lxiii) Reserved.

(lxiv) The Souvenir Brochure, p.55. ↵

(lxv) The Souvenir Brochure, p.55. Also Rev. Muscat was listed as reader in the Jewish Year Book 1924 ↵

(lxvi) The Souvenir Brochure, pp. 55, 63. Rev. Fineberg was also listed as reader in Jewish Year Books 1926 through 1940 and 1945/6 (publication was suspended during the intervening war years). ↵

(lxvii) Jewish Chronicle report of 24 August 1973. Rev. Grant is not mentioned in the Souvenir Brochure nor in Jewish Year Books with regard to this congregation. ↵

(lxviii) Listed as reader of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1947. Rev. Isaacs is not mentioned in the Souvenir Brochure. ↵

(lxix) and (lxx) Reserved.

(lxxi) The Souvenir Brochure, p.63. Rev. Starr served the Swansea Beth Hamedrash, but helped out the Hebrew Congregation in these years. He was not listed in the Jewish Year Book with regards to this congregation. ↵

(lxxii) Rev. Cahn was listed as acting reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1951 and 1952. The Souvenir Brochure, p.63, confirms the dates of appointment and departure and refers to him being appointed as second reader / teacher / financial secretary and collector. ↵

(lxxiii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.63, states that Rev. Sichel took over Rev. Cahn's posts and provides dates of appointment and departure. He was listed as second reader of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1954. ↵

(lxxiv) The Jewish Chronicle of 1 February 1957 reported that Rev. Abraham Brysh, who received a "call" from the Edinburgh congregation, submitted notice of his resignation from the posts of chazan, shochet, and head teacher to the management committee of Swansea Congregation on the previous Sunday, adding that Mr. Brysh had been at Swansea nearly six years. In addition, the Souvenir Brochure, p.63, provides dates of Rev. Brysh's appointment and departure. He was listed (as Rev. A. Brysz) as reader or first reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1952 through 1957. ↵

(lxxv and (lxxvi) Reserved.

(lxxvii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.63, provides dates of Rev. Fine's appointment and departure. He was listed as second reader of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1956. ↵

(lxxviii) The Souvenir Brochure, p.63, and Rev. Freedman's listing as second reader of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1957 and as reader in the editions 1958 through 1961. ↵

(lxxix) The Souvenir Brochure, p.67, and Rev. Schwartz's listing as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1965 through 1975. ↵

(lxxx) to (lxxxiii) Reserved.

(lxxxiv) In respect of the period to 1909, when year books corresponded to the Hebrew year (and thus ran roughly from autumn of one year until autumn of the next year), where a person was first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it has been assumed that his term of office commenced in the year prior to the year of publication of the relevant year book. From 1909, year books were published according to the Gregorian year (being published generally towards the end of the year prior to the year appearing in the title of the year book) it has been assumed that, when a person was first listed in a year book, his term of office commenced in the year prior to the year appearing in the title of the relevant year book. However, it should be noted that this is only an assumption and, accordingly, his actual years of office may differ somewhat from those shown here. Jewish Year Books were not published during World War II subsequent to 1940. There were no Jewish Year Book listings of officers (other than secretary) subsequent to 1956. ↵

(lxxxv) Referred to as president in a report in The Cambrian of 30 June 1848. ↵

(lxxxvi) In The Jewish Chronicle of 6 November 1857, it was reported that I. Jacobs resigned as president after serving for seven years. ↵

(lxxxvii) S. Goldberg's election as president was reported in The Jewish Chronicle of 6 November 1857, and he was still serving as president in 1860 (The Jewish Chronicle of 30 March 1860). ↵

(lxxxviii) David Frankell is referred to as president in a report in The Cambrian of 25 April 1862. A new president was elected by 1863. ↵

(lxxxix) and (xc) Reserved.

(xci) Sol Brown's election as president was reported in The Cambrian of 30 October 1863, and he was still serving as president (the first named warden) in 1865 (The Jewish Chronicle of 17 February 1865). ↵

(xcii) Chapman Jacobs was referred to as president in a report The Jewish Chronicle of 12 March 1871 and several other reports of 1871 (and had been treasurer until at least 1865). A new president was elected by 1872. ↵

(xciii) I. Seline's election as president was reported in The Jewish Chronicle of 10 May 1872, and he was reelected in 1874 (The Jewish Chronicle of 17 April 1874), probably serving until 1875. By 1877 he was serving as treasurer. ↵

(xciv) Sol. Brown's re-election as president was reported in The Jewish Chronicle of 28 April 1876 (having served, presumably, from at least 1875 and serving, presumably, until at least 1877). ↵

(xcv) The Jewish Chronicle of 20 April 1877 and 3 May 1878 reported, respectively, on the election and re-election of Joel Jacobs as president of the congregation. ↵

(xcvi) and (xcvii) Reserved.

(xcviii) Simon Goldberg was referred to as president in The Jewish Chronicle reports of 32 August 1883 and 7 October 1887 and in a number of reports between those dates. ↵

(xcix) I. Seline was referred to as president in The Jewish Chronicle reports of 27 September 1889 and 3 April 1891 and in a number of reports between those dates. ↵

(c) The Jewish Chronicle of 21 October 1892 reported the election of Braham Freedman as president of the congregation and he was still serving as president in January of the following year (The Jewish Chronicle of 20 January 1893) although a new president was elected later in 1894. ↵

(ci) The Jewish Chronicle of 27 October 1893 reported the election of S. Lyons as president of the congregation. He was listed as president of the congregation in the first Jewish Year Book (1896/7). ↵

(cii) The Jewish Chronicle on 21 October 1898 reported the re-election of A. Lyons as president of the congregation (presumably having initially been elected the previous year) and on 2 November 1900 it reported that he was not seeking re-election as president. He was listed as president of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1898/9 through 1900/1. ↵

(ciii) and (civ) Reserved.

(cv) The Jewish Chronicle of 2 November 1900 reported on the election of M. Jacobs as president of the congregation. He was listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1901/2. ↵

(cvi) Henriques, p.113, states that on 20 October 1901, Mr. A. Shepherd, the new president of the congregation tendered his resignation. He would later take an active role in the Swansea Beth Hamedrash. He was not listed as president of the congregation in any Jewish Year Books. ↵

(cvii) Henriques, p.91, states that Hyam Goldberg was president of the congregation from 1901 to 1904. He died in 1906 (The Souvenir Brochure, p.53). He was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1902/3 through 1904/5. ↵

(cviii) Henriques, p.89, states that Asher Doggots became president in 1907 and p.97 refers to him serving as such in 1908. He was not listed as president of the congregation in any Jewish Year Books. ↵

(cix) Henriques, p.104, states that D. Seline served as president of the congregation in 1908-9, which is confirmed by his listing as president in the Jewish Year Book 1909. ↵

(cx) and (cxi) Reserved.

(cxii) Henriques, p.103, states that Abraham Levy became president of the congregation in 1909, which is confirmed by his listing as president in the Jewish Year Book 1910. ↵

(cxiii) The Jewish Chronicle of 4 November 1910 reported on the election of Abe Freedman as president of the congregation and Henriques, pp.97/8, refers to him as president of the congregation in 1911. He is listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1911 through 1913. ↵

(cxiv) S. Goodman is listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1924 and 1925 and the Souvenir Brochure, p.55, refers to him as president of the congregation in 1924. ↵

(cxv) and (cxvi) Reserved.

(cxvii) I.R. Levi was the leading lay figure in the congregation for some three decades until his death in August 1934 (the Souvenir Brochure, p.59). He served several times as president and was appointed hon. life president in 1919 (the Souvenir Brochure, p.53). He was only listed as such in Jewish Year Books 1925 through 1934. ↵

(cxviii) Appointed hon. life president in 1950 (the Souvenir Brochure, p.63), Lewis Palto died in January 1962 (the Souvenir Brochure, p.61). He was not listed as such in Jewish Year Books. ↵

(cxix) Abe Freedman was appointed hon. life president in 1963 (the Souvenir Brochure, p.59). He was not listed as such in Jewish Year Books. ↵

(cxx) to (cxxii) Reserved.

(cxxiii) The Jewish Chronicle of 6 November 1857 reported the election of David Frankell as treasurer of the congregation. By 1862 he was president. ↵

(cxxiv) Chapman Jacobs's election as treasurer was reported in The Cambrian of 30 October 1863, and he was still serving as treasurer (the second named warden) in 1865 (The Jewish Chronicle of 17 February 1865). ↵

(cxxv) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 May 1872 and 17 April 1874 reported, respectively, on the election and re-election of Simon Goldberg as treasurer of the congregation. It is presumed that he served until 1875, when a new treasurer was elected. ↵

(cxxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 28 April 1876 reported the re-election of Joel Jacobs as treasurer of the congregation (who had presumably been initially elected in 1975). He is believed to have served until the following year, 1877, when he was elected president. ↵

(cxxvii) The Jewish Chronicle of 20 April 1877 and 3 May 1878 reported, respectively, on the election and re-election of Isaac Seline as treasurer of the congregation. ↵

(cxxviii) and (cxxix) Reserved.

(cxxx) The Jewish Chronicle of 7 October 1890 reported the election of Sol Barnett as treasurer of the congregation, serving presumably until at least 1891. ↵

(cxxxi) The Jewish Chronicle of 21 October 1892 reported the election of Sol Lyons as treasurer of the congregation. A new treasurer was elected in 1893. ↵

(cxxxii) The Jewish Chronicle of 27 October 1893 reported the election of David Harris as treasurer of the congregation, serving until at least 1894. ↵

(cxxxiii) Barnett Goldberg was treasurer in 1895 (Hentiques, p. 86) and was listed as treasurer of the congregation in the first Jewish Year Book (1896/7) ↵

(cxxxiv) The Jewish Chronicle of 21 October 1898 reported the election of Michael Jacobs as treasurer of the congregation. He was listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1899/1900 and 1901/2 ↵

(cxxxv) and (cxxvi) Reserved.

(cxxxvii) The Jewish Chronicle of 2 November 1900 reported the election of David Seline as treasurer of the congregation. Henriques, pp.112/3 states that in April 1901, the treasurer (presumably D. Seline) resigned, creating a minor crisis. M.L. Marks agreed to serve as treasurer, but in October 1901, Rev. Fyne was appointed temporary treasurer, serving only until later that month, when Ernest Barnett became treasurer. M.L. Marks was listed as treasurer of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1901/2, but neither D. Seline nor Rev. Fyne were listed in such capacity. ↵

(cxxxviii) The Jewish Chronicle of 4 November 1910 reported the election of D. Saul as treasurer of the congregation. He was listed as treasurer of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1911 through 1913. ↵

(cxxxix) and (cxl) Reserved.

(cxli) The Jewish Chronicle of 17 October 1890 reported the election of Braham Freedman as hon. secretary of the congregation. In October 1892, he was elected president. ↵

(cxlii) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 May 1901 reported the election of Rev. Fryne as hon. secretary of the congregation. He was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1901/2. ↵

(cxliii) Goldblum Article, p.8. ↵

(cxliv) to (cxlvi) Reserved.

(cxlvii) These figures are also given in the Jewish Chronicle of July 1947. (Goldblum Article, p.2). ↵

(cxlviii) Goldblum Article, p.4. ↵

(cxlix) Papers on Swansea prepared for 1980 conference on "Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain". ↵

(cl) Represents data first appearing in the Jewish Year Book following the year listed. ↵

(cli) 1895 and 1914 - Henriques p.86. 2009 - The Jewish Chronicle of 3 September 2009 (less than 20 active members). ↵

(clii) and (cliii) Reserved.

(cliv) Reports on synagogue membership in the United Kingdom, published by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and which can be viewed on the website of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research. Click HERE for links to the various reports. The congregation was not listed in the 2016 report. ↵

(clv) Page 1379 of the 2010 List of Places of Worship. ↵

Swansea Jewish Community home page

List of Synagogues destroyed or damaged by German air raids during World War II

Jewish Congregations in the historic county of Glamorganshire

Jewish Congregations in the former county of West Glamorgan

Jewish Congregations in Wales, according to current unitary authorities

Jewish Communities & Congregations in Wales home page

Page created: 18 April 2003
Notes first added: 12 November 2017
Page significantly expanded: 20 September 2024
Page most recently amended: 28 May 2025

Research and formatting by David Shulman

Explanation of Terms | About JCR-UK | JCR-UK home page

Contact JCR-UK Webmaster:
jcr-ukwebmaster@jgsgb.org.uk
(Note: This is to contact JCR-UK, not the above Congregation)

Terms and Conditions, Licenses and Restrictions for the use of this website:

This website is owned by JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. All material found herein is owned by or licensed to us. You may view, download, and print material from this site only for your own personal use. You may not post material from this site on another website without our consent. You may not transmit or distribute material from this website to others. You may not use this website or information found at this site for any commercial purpose.