JCR-UK

the former

Preston Synagogue

& Jewish Community

Preston, Lancashire

 

 

    


JCR-UK is a genealogical and historical website covering all Jewish communities and
congregations throughout the British Isles and Gibraltar, both past and present.

City of Preston

The industrial town of Preston, on the river Ribble in North West England, is now the administrative centre for the county of Lancashire. It forms the greater part of the local government district now known as the City of Preston (population approximately 150,000), having been granted city status in 2002, becoming England's 50th city in the 50th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The present boundaries date from 1974, when the then county borough of Preston merged with adjoining areas to form the local government district within the county of Lancashire. Preston had been granted county borough status in 1889, having been a municipal borough since 1836.

Preston Synagogue
The former synagogue in 8a Avenham Place, Preston 1985.
Photograph by Beth Hayes (Preston Historical Society)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/6789906272/

The Jewish Community

Although there are records of Jews in Preston from the early nineteenth century, the Jewish community developed in the town towards the end of the nineteenth century and reached its peak by the end of World War II. Thereafter it began to decline and the synagogue (congregation details below) closed in the 1980s. The principal work on the Jewish community in Preston is Furriers, Glaziers, Doctors and Others – a history of the Preston Jewish community, by John Cowell, 2009-2015 (now available online on JCR-UK, see below) (which we refer to here as "Cowell's Preston History")

In 2014, the Lancashire and Cumbria Liberal Jewish Congregation was formed, which frequently holds services in Preston.

Congregation Data

Name:

Preston Synagogue also known as Preston Hebrew Congregation

Formation:

Congregation was formed in about October 1894, when it was reported that 15 Jewish families came together to form a congregation as soon as practicable. Services for the high holy days that year were held in a room offered for the purpose by one of the Jewish residents.(ii)

Last Address:

8a Avenham Place, Preston(iii)

The synagogue, which stood in an acre of grounds had been a private house prior to its purchase, was opened in September 1932 and consecrated by the Rev. Daniel Caplan.(iv)

Previous Addresses:

The congregation was previously in rented premises at 7 Avenham Street, Preston, from about 1907 until 1932.(v)

Prior to then, its address was Edmund Street, off Church Street, Preston, from about 1903.(vi)

When the congregation was formed, until about 1903, there was no synagogue, services initially being held only during festivals,(ix) services were held in members' homes (the first service being in a house in 39 Lawson Street(x) and in the Temperance Hall, North Road.(xi)

Final Status:

The synagogue closed in 1982 (in its golden jubilee year),(xii) although the congregation organisation continued for some years thereafter as a religious group.(xiv)

Following its closure, the synagogue was sold in 1984 for just £35,000 to become Preston's first temple of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu group. They vacated it in 2008 and the building remained empty until 2021, when it was demolished to make way for a housing development.(xv)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

The congregation was an unaffiliated congregation, under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi from May 1896.(xvi)

Ministers / Readers:  (To view a short profile of a minister whose name appears in blue - hold the cursor over the name.)

Rev. S. Kosloffski - temporary minister in 1896.(xviii)

Rev. S. (or Jacob) Casimir - temporary minister in about 1897.(xix)

Rev. S. Bayowitz - temporary minister in 1899.(xx)

Rev. J. Somoskie - temporary minister from about 1899 to about 1901.(xxi)

Rev. Abraham I. Reiss - minister/reader from about 1901 until about 1912.(xxii)

Rev. Selig Bressloff - minister/reader from 1912 until 1916.(xxv)

Rev. Aaron Soloman - minister/reader from about 1916 until no later than 1920.(xxvi)

Rev. S. Freedberg - minister/reader from about 1923 until about 1925.(xxvii)

Rev. Daniel Caplan - minister/reader from about 1926 until about 1938.(xxviii)

Rev. Raphael H. Levy - minister/reader from 1938 until 1946.(xxxi)

Rev. Ezekiel Freilich - visiting minister in late 1940s.(xxxii)

Rev. Emanuel Susman - minister/reader from 1950 until 1952.(xxxiii)

Rev. Alex Brown - visiting minister and teacher in 1950s and 1960s.(xxxiv)

Lay Officers of the Congregation:

The lists of lay officers below have been put together from listings in Jewish Year Books (first published 1896/7) and references to officers in Cowell's Preston History. Unless otherwise stated, we have extracted the primary data from the former,(xxxviii) although in such instances the officers' given names have generally been added from the latter.

Cowell's Preston History also includes (pp. 138-220) short biographies of members of the Preston Jewish community. In certain instances, the information provided there may conflict with the data set forth below, although we have tried where possible the reconcile the two.

Presidents

1895, 1896 - Simon Goodman(xxxix)

1897-1902 - Joseph Klein(xl)

1902-1903 - Samuel Fisher

1903-1904 - Joseph Klein

1904-1906 - Simon Goodman

1906-1913 - Joseph Klein

1913-1914 - Louis Price

1914-1916 - Israel Jacobson

1916-1917 - Louis Price

1917-1920 - Israel Goldberg(xli)

1920-1922 - Israel Jacobson

1922-1925 - Israel Rose

1925-1936 - Israel Jacobson

1936-1938 - Dr. Maurice Denman

1938-1939 - Dr. Carl Myers

1939-1941 - no data

1941-1942 - Solomon Lewis(xlii)

1942-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Dr. Maurice Denman

1946-1947 - Arthur Royce

1947-1957 - Solomon Lewis(xliv)

1957-1966 - Dr. Abraham Korn(xlv)

1966-1982 - Dr. Wilfred Niman(xlvi)


Vice Presidents

1903-1905 - Simon Goodman

1905-1906 - Joseph Klein

1906-1908 - Israel Goldberg

1908-1910 - Adolph Newhouse(xlviii)

1910-1913 - no data

1914-1914 - Michael Levey

1913-1917 - Abraham Dunn(xlix)

1917-1922 - no data

1922-1925 - Abraham Dunn(xlix)

1925-1933 - Michael Tragen

1933-1935 - Solomon Lewis

1935-1936 - Michael Tragen

1935-1938 - Solomon Lewis

1938-1941 - no data

1941-1942 - Dr. Maurice Denman(l)

1942-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Dr. Abraham Korn

1946-1947 - Dr. Montague Lytten(li)

1947-1960 - Henry Markus(lii)

1960-1963 - no data

1963-1965 - Solomon Fine(liv)

1965-1966 - Dr. Maurice Silverman(lv)

1966 - Dr. Wilfred Niman(lvi)

1966-1969 - Arthur Royce(lvii)

1969-1970 - Leonard M. Simons(lviii)


Wardens

1894 - Simon Goodman(lx)

1895 - Louis Price(lxi)

1896 - Marx Goodman(lxii)

1897-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Solomon Lewis

1947-1948 - Philip Swalbe

1948-1949 - Benjamin Kapchick

1949-1954 - Jack Stolberg

1954-1957 - Dr. Abraham Korn(lxiii)

1957-1963 - no data

1963-1964 - Aubrey Ellman(lxiv)

1964-1966 - no data

1966-1969 - Dr. Naim Shohet(lxv)

1969-at least 1973 - Ben Spellman(lxvi)

Hon. Life President

1949-1973 - Solomon Lewis(lxviii)

Hon. Life Vice President

1969-1988 - Arthur Royce(lxix) 

 

Treasurers

1894 - Israel Goldberg(lxxi)

1896 - Louis Price(lxxii)

1901-1902 - Adolph Newhouse

1902-1903 - Louis Shaffer

1903-1906 - Louis Price

1906-1911 - Samuel Halpern

1911-1912 - Adolph Newhouse(lxxiii)

1912-1914 - Louis Price

1914-1916 - Israel Jacobson

1916-1920 - Louis Price

1920-1930 - Samuel Caplan(lxxiv)

1930-1938 - Richard Sandall

1938-1939 - Gordon Bloch & Daniel Jackson

1939-1941 - no data

1941-1942 - Daniel Jackson(lxxv)

1942-1945 - no data

1945 - Henry Kalina(lxxvii)

1946-1947 - Maurice Barker

1947-1950 - Mickey Dickson

1950-1955 - Solomon Fine

1955-1957 - Jack Gotfryd(lxxviii)

1957-1958 - Solomon Fine(lxxix)

1958-1963 - no data

1963-2000s - Leonard Lewis(lxxx)


Hon Secretaries

1895, 1896 - Adolph Newhouse(lxxxii)

1903-1904 - Louis Shaffer(lxxxiii)

1905-1908 - Adolph Newhouse

1908-1912 - Richard Sandall

1912-1913 - Michael Levey

1913-1917 - Edward Freedman

1917-1918 - H. Rosen

1918-1920 - Louis Sandall

1920-1922 - A.M. Kaye

1922-1938 - Richard Sandall

1938-1940 - Rev. Raphael H. Levy

1940-1941 - no data

1941-1942 - Mark Schorr(lxxxiv)

1942-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Maurice Endbinder

1946-1947 - Abe Allen

1947-1949 - Eric Lewis

1949-1950 - Maurice Barker

1950-1951 - Julius Krafchik(lxxxv)

1951-1952 - Arthur Royce(lxxxvii)

1952-1953 - Joseph Erdeley(lxxxviii)

1953-1954 - Solomon Fine (ad hoc)(lxxxix)

1954-1961 - Leonard Lewis

1961-1962 - Dr. Maurice Silverman

1962-1963 - Peter Ehrenzweig

1963-1966 - Leonard M. Simons

1966-2011 - Dr. Cyril Ellis Nelson


Marriage Secretaries(xci)

1903-1912 - Adolph Newhouse (xcii)

1912-1930 - no data

1930-1936 - Isaac Tragen

1936-1937 - Adolph (Henry) Goodman

1938-1946 - Rev. Raphael H. Levy(xciii)

1947-1959 - Solomon Lewis(xciv)

1959-1966 - Dr. Abraham Korn(xcv)

Membership Data:

Reports & Survey(xcviii)

1977 - 22 male (or household) members and 10 female members

1983 - 23 male (or household) members and 10 female members

Synagogue at RAF Kirkham:

There was a dedicated synagogue at the RAF station at Kirkham, Lancashire, some 8 miles west of Preston, about halfway between Preston and Blackpool. (Kirkham, also known as Kirkham-in-Amounderness, a town with a population of some 7,000, is in the borough of Fylde and was, until 1974, in the urban district of Kirkham, in the county of Lancashire.)

The synagogue was consecrated in December 1945, the service being conducted by Rabbi Israel Brodie, then senior Jewish chaplain to the Forces, assisted by Rev. Ruben Abenson, Jewish Chaplain to the RAF, Forces chaplains Rev. Abraham Berman and Rev. Leslie Hardman, together with Rev. David Garb, minister to the near-by Blackpool Hebrew Congregation. A former gas hut had been transformed into "an attractive comely synagogue, carpeted, blue-curtained, and with white ceiling and cream-painted walls. Personnel on the station made the simple Ark and reading desk, and painted the blue Shields of David on the white curtains before the Ark. Blue candles stood in heavy silver candlesticks on a beautiful cloth."(xcix)

It is uncertain when it closed, but it presumably ceased to function in the late 1950s as National Service was phased out.

Registration District:

Lancashire, since 1 June 2005(c) - Link to Register Office website

 


Search the All-UK Database

  • 1851 Anglo Jewry Database (as of the 2016 update)

    • Individuals in the "1851" database who who were living in Preston during the 1760s (1 record); 1810s (1 record); 1820s (2 records), 1840s (12 records), 1850s (12 records), 1860s (10 records) and 1870s (5 records).

 

Online Articles and Other Material
relating to the Preston Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

 


© John Cowell,
2009-2015.

on Third Party Websites


Notable Jewish Connections with Preston

  • Dr. Abraham Korn (1904/5-1985), a president of the congregation, served as a Labour councillor on Preston Borough Council from 1954 to 1967.

  • Elkan Levy, President of the United Synagogue and Chairman of the Chief Rabbinate Council (1996-1999) and holder of a number of other senior Jewish communal offices, was born in Preston in 1943, his father being the then serving minister.

  • Rita Lytton (1913-1993), husband of Dr. Montague Lytten, a former vice-president of the congregation, served as a Conservative councillor (and at times alderman) on Preston Borough Council almost continuously from 1960 to 1976, and became the first Jewish mayor of Preston (1970-1971).

  • Samuel Segal (later Lord Segal of Wytham) (1902-1985), the son of Rabbi Moshe Zvi Segal, was Labour MP for Preston 1945-1950.

  • Andrew Sznajder, who was born in Preston in 1967 and moved to Canada aged seven, is a former professional tour tennis player, who was six times national Canadian tennis champion, and who represented Canada in the Olympic Games and Davis Cup.

 

Other Preston Jewish Institutions & Organisations

Educational & Theological

  • Hebrew and Religious Classes - from the establishment of the congregation

  • Ladies Hebrew Classes - from at least 1939(cx)

  • Menorah Library - from at least 1946(cxi)

Communal and Religious Organisation

  • Chevra Kadisha (Burial Board) - founded by 1906(cxiii)

  • Jewish Council - formed in 1943(cxiv)

  • Trades Advisory Council - formed in 1944(cxv)

  • Jewish Defence Committee - founded by 1949(cxvi)

Welfare Organisation

  • Ladies Refugee Committee - from at least 1939(cxix)

  • Refugee Committee - from at least 1939(cxx)

  • Ladies Benevolent Society - formed in 1940(cxxi)

  • Jewish Hospitality Committee - from at least 1945(cxxii)

  • Preston Messaskim Society - formed in 1957(cxxiii)

Social and Zionist Institutions

  • Preston Jewish Social Club - from at least 1920(cxxvi)

  • Zionist Circle - formed in 1938(cxxvii)

  • Jewish Swimming Club - formed by 1939(cxxviii)

  • Women's Zionist Society - from at least 1945(cxxix)

 

Preston Jewish Cemetery Information

 

There is a Jewish cemetery in Preston:

  • Preston Old Cemetery, Jewish Section, New Hall Lane, Preston PR1. The cemetery was consecrated on 14 July 1910 with the first burial (an infant) in 1913. Additional plots were acquired in 1936 and 1963.(cxxxii)
    The Ohel or Tahara House was only completed in June 1954 and the consecration ceremony took place on 15 September 1957.(cxxxiii)
    The Old Cemetery is a Grade II Registered Park and Garden (number 1001617), designated on 6 June 2002. View description on Historic England website.

(For additional information, see also IAJGS Cemetery Project - Preston)

 

Preston Jewish Population Data

Year

Number

(Source)

1905

98

(The Jewish Year Book 1905/6)

1906

89

(The Jewish Year Book 1906/7)

1914

93

(The Jewish Year Book 1915)

1916

103

(The Jewish Year Book 1917)

1945

300

(The Jewish Year Book 1945/6)

1949

200

(The Jewish Year Book 1950)

1950

150

(The Jewish Year Book 1951)

1951

160

(The Jewish Year Book 1952)

1959

140

(The Jewish Year Book 1960)

1975

55

(The Jewish Year Book 1976)

1979

25

(The Jewish Year Book 1980)

2001

63

(2001 National Census, the first to include this question)

 

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i) Reserved.

  • (ii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 31, quoting a Jewish Chronicle report. (Jewish Year Books from 1951 incorrectly ascribe 1882 as the year of founding of the congregation - see also Cowell's Preston History, p. 90.) ↵

  • (iii) 8 Avenham Place was listed as the address in Jewish Year Books from 1934 through 1940, Avenham Place from 1945/6 through 1956 and 8a Avenham Place from 1957 through 1982. (The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years 1941-1945.) ↵

  • (iv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 50. ↵

  • (v) Avenham Street was listed as the address in Jewish Year Books from 1907/8 through 1914 and 7 Avenham Street from 1915 through 1933 ↵

  • (vi) Listed as Edman(sic) Street in Jewish Year Books from 1903/4 through 1906/7. ↵

  • (vii) and (viii) Reserved.

  • (ix) The Jewish Year Book 1898/9. ↵

  • (x) The home of Simon Goodman (Cowell's Preston History, p. 90). ↵

  • (xi) The Jewish Year Book 1901/2. ↵

  • (xii) The Jewish Year Book 1983 stated that the synagogue had closed. ↵

  • (xiii) Reserved.

  • (xiv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 115. The congregation remained listed in Jewish Year Books (just with details of hon. secretary) until 2012. ↵

  • (xv) Lancashire Evening Post report of 17 January 2022. ↵

  • (xvi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 33. ↵

  • (xvii) Reserved.

  • (xviii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 31, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 25 September 1896, which refers to Rev. Kosloffski conducted the 1896 high holy day services “gratuitously assisted for the third year by Mr M Cohen". It is unclear whether "the third year" refers just Mr. Cohen or to both Rev. Kosloffski and Mr. Cohen. He is not mentioned in Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (xix) Rev. Casimir was conducting services in Preston in 1897 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 31/2 quoting a Jewish Chronicle report of 1 October 1897 which refers to him as Rev G. Casimir) and was listed (as S. Casimir) as temporary minister in Preston in the Jewish Year Book 1898/9. ↵

  • (xx) Cowell's Preston History, p.32, based upon Jewish Chronicle report of 29 September 1899. He is not mentioned in Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (xxi) Based upon Rev. Somoskie's listing in Jewish Year Books 1899/1900 and 1900/1. ↵

  • (xxii) Rev. Reiss's Jewish Chronicle obituary of 1 August 1947. He was listed (as Rev. Rice, temporary minister) in Jewish Year Books 1901/2 through 1904/5 and (as minister) solely in the 1912 edition. ↵

  • (xxiii) and (xxiv) Reserved.

  • (xxv) Listed, as Rev. S. Breslau, as minister, in Jewish Year Books 1913 through 1916. ↵

  • (xxvi) Although Rev. A. Soloman's was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1917 through 1923, he had clearly left by March 1920, when the congregation was advertising for a replacement (The Jewish Chronicle 19 March 1920.) In the burial register of the Preston Jewish cemetery, it was noted that on 10 June 1916, the deceased was "interred by Aaron Solomon", presumably referring to Rev. Soloman. (Cowell's Preston History, p. 37). ↵

  • (xxvii) Based upon Rev. Freedberg's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1924 through 1926. In Cowell's Preston History, he is not mentioned at all except, on p. 37, in some records from the burial register of the Preston Jewish cemetery, it was noted that on 4 December 1924, the deceased was "interred by S. Freedberg". ↵

  • (xxviii) Based upon Rev. Caplan's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1927 through 1939. ↵

  • (xxix) and (xxx) Reserved.

  • (xxxi) Rev. Levy was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1940 and 1945/6 (publication ceased during the intervening war years). ↵

  • (xxxii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 74. Rev. Freilich was the minister for the Bolton community. ↵

  • (xxxiii) Rev. Susman was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1951 and 1952. He also served as communal rabbi for Preston, Barrow-in-Furness and Blackburn. See also Cowell's Preston History, pp. 77, 79 re his induction and departure. ↵

  • (xxxiv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 110. Rev. Brown was the minister for the Blackpool community. ↵

  • (xxxv) to (xxxvii) Reserved.

  • (xxxviii) Where a person was first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it is generally assumed that his term of office commenced in the year of publication of the relevant year book and that he continued in office until the commencement of office of his successor, unless the office was shown as vacant. Initially year books corresponded to the Hebrew year, and thus ran roughly from autumn of one year - the year of publication - until autumn of the next year. 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. However, as regards this congregation, it appears that the general meeting for the election of officers was frequently held towards the end of the calendar year and thus the results were not available by the date of publication. Accordingly, as regards officers elected prior to World War II, we have generally calculated their term of office as commencing a year earlier. For example, if an officer was listed in Jewish Year Books 1919 through 1924, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1917 and continued in office until 1923. 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, although dates provided are generally consistent with known dates in Cowell's Preston History. Jewish Year Books were not published during World War II subsequent to 1940. There were generally no Jewish Year Book listings of officers (other than secretary) subsequent to 1956. ↵

  • (xxxix) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 28/9 refers to Simon Goodman's election in 1895 and 1896, based upon Jewish Chronicle reports of 27 September 1895 and 23 October 1896. ↵

  • (xl) Listed as Joseph Kline solely in Jewish Year Book 1898/9. ↵

  • (xli) Listed in Jewish Year Books as J. Goldberg, which is presumed to be a typographical error. Isaac Goldberg would have been about 60 in 1919. ↵

  • (xlii) The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years, but Cowell's Preston History, p.62, refers Solomon Lewis's election in 1941, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 14 February 1941. ↵

  • (xliii) Reserved.

  • (xliv) Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1956 list S. Lewis as president (thereafter the president of the congregation is not generally listed). Cowell's Preston History, p. 87 refers to Solomon Lewis's retirement from the presidency in 1957. ↵

  • (xlv) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 88, 91, 93 and 101. ↵

  • (xlvi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 101 refers to Dr. Niman's initial election and he is subsequently frequently mentioned as president. Jewish Year Books resumed listing the president of the congregation in 1967 and he is listed until the 1982 edition. He was the last president of the congregation and there is no reference to him continuing to serve as president after the sale of the synagogue. ↵

  • (xlvii) Reserved.

  • (xlviii) Formerly Nachhauser. In Jewish Year Books, listed here as W.A. Newhouse. ↵

  • (xlix) Abraham Dunn was also known as Harris Dunn (Cowell's Preston History, p. 157). He is listed in Jewish Year Books as A. Dunn (1916 through 1918) and H. Dunn (1924 through 1928). ↵

  • (l) The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years, but Cowell's Preston History, p. 62, refers Dr. Denman's election as vice president in 1941, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 14 February 1941. ↵

  • (li) Dr. Lyttern's wife, Rita, was subsequently mayor of Preston. ↵

  • (lii) Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1956 list S. Marcus(sic) as vice president (thereafter vice presidents of the congregation were not listed). According to Cowell's Preston History, p 94, S. Markus was still vice president in 1960. ↵

  • (liii) Reserved.

  • (liv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 100, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 1 July 1963, of the congregation's elections. ↵

  • (lv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 100. ↵

  • (lvi) Cowell's Preston History states that Dr. Niman was elected vice president in 1966 (p. 100), as was his successor, when Dr. Niman assumed the presidency. (p. 101). ↵

  • (lvii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 101. ↵

  • (lviii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 101 refers to the 1969 election of L. Simons as vice president Thereafter, there were no further references to vice presidents, although Arthur Royce had been designated hon. life president in 1969. ↵

  • (lix) Reserved.

  • (lx) Cowell's Preston History, p. 27, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of October 1894. ↵

  • (lxi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 28, based upon Jewish Chronicle report of 27 September 1895. ↵

  • (lxi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 29, based upon Jewish Chronicle report of 23 October 1896. ↵

  • (lxiii) Jewish Year Books 1955 and 1956 list A.M. Korn as warden (thereafter wardens of the congregation were not listed). Dr. Korn served as warden until appointed president in 1957 (Cowell's Preston History, p 88). ↵

  • (lxiv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 100, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 1 July 1963, of the congregation's elections. ↵

  • (lxv) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 100, 101 and 103. ↵

  • (lxvi) Ben Spellman was elected warden in 1969 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 101) and was still warden in 1973 (id. p.110), the last reference to a warden. In 1982, he was one of only five members to attend the meeting approval the sale of the synagogue, but he is not described as warden (id. p.115). ↵

  • (lxvii) Reserved.

  • (lxviii) Designated hon. life president in 1949 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 75), he died in 1973 (id. p. 110). ↵

  • (lxix) Designated hon. life vice president in 1969 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 107), he died in 1988 (id. pp. 203/4). ↵

  • (lxx) Reserved.

  • (lxxi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 27, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of October 1894. ↵

  • (lxxii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 29, based upon Jewish Chronicle report of 23 October 1896. ↵

  • (lxxiii) In Jewish Year Books, listed here as W.A. Newhouse. ↵

  • (lxxiv) Listed in Jewish Year Books, as E. Caplin (1921 through 1923) and S. Caplin (1924 through 1930), the short biography in Cowell's Preston History, p. 151, makes it clear that this should read Samuel Caplan, although the biography seems to indicate that he did not serve a treasurer continuously throughout this period. ↵

  • (lxxv) The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years, but Cowell's Preston History, p. 62, refers D. Jackson's election as treasurer in 1941, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 14 February 1941. ↵

  • (lxxvi) Reserved.

  • (lxxvii) T. Kalina was elected treasurer shortly before the war ended (Cowell's Preston History, p. 66, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 13 April 1945), but died in July 1945 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 70). He was listed as treasurer in the  Jewish Year Books 1945/6. ↵

  • (lxxviii) The Jewish Year Books 1956 lists J. Gottfryd(sic) as treasurer (thereafter the congregation's treasurers were no longer listed). Cowell's Preston History refers to Jack Gotfryd's appointment in 1955 (p. 87); his reelection in 1956 (p. 88); and the appointment of his successor in 1957 (p. 88). ↵

  • (lxxix) Cowell's Preston History refers to Solomon Fine returning to the job of Treasurer in 1957 (p. 88, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 7 June 1957). It is not known until when he served. ↵

  • (lxxx) Cowell's Preston History, p. 100 (based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 12 July 1963), refers to Leonard Lewis serving as treasurer although it is unclear as to when he was first elected.  It also refers to him as serving in such office for over 40 years ↵

  • (lxxxi) Reserved.

  • (lxxxii) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 28/9 refers to Adolph Newhouse's election as hon. secretary in 1895 and 1896, based upon Jewish Chronicle reports of 27 September 1895 and 23 October 1896. ↵

  • (lxxxiii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 34, based upon Lancashire Daily Post report of 21 January 1903. L. Shaffer was also listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1904/5. ↵

  • (lxxxiv) The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years, but Cowell's Preston History, p. 62, refers Mark Schorr's election in 1941, based upon a Jewish Chronicle report of 14 February 1941. ↵

  • (lxxxv) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 77 and 80. Julius Krafchik was later known as Julius Lincoln. ↵

  • (lxxxvi) Reserved.

  • (lxxxvii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 80. Arthur Royce took over when Julius Krafchik resigned. He is not listed as secretary in the Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (lxxxviii) He is listed (as J. Erdely) as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Books1953 and 1954. However, Cowell's Preston History, p. 85. reports his resignation in 1953. ↵

  • (lxxxix) Solomon Fine took over when Joseph Erdeley resigned. He is not listed as secretary in the Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (xc) Reserved.

  • (xci) The congregation received the right to appoint a marriage secretary in 1903 (Cowell's Preston History, p. 36). For years not listed, it is presumed that the hon. secretary or the minister would have acted as marriage secretary. ↵

  • (xcii) With reference to A. Newhouse's election as, inter alia, marriage secretary in 1906, Cowell's Preston History, p. 35. states that he would have held the position since 1903. As he was also hon. secretary from 1905 to 1908 and was listed as marriage secretary in Jewish Year Books1912 and 1913 (the only time the office was listed apart from the 1930s), it is assumed that he continued to act as marriage secretary until his death in 1912 ↵

  • (xciii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 73. states Rev. Levy acted as marriage secretary until his departure in 1946, and it is assumed that he served as such from his appointment as minister. ↵

  • (xciv) Cowell's Preston History refers to Solomon Lewis's appointment (p. 73) and replacement (p. 93) as marriage secretary. ↵

  • (xcv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 93, refers to Dr. Korn's appointment as marriage secretary. He is assumed to have served until he resigned as president in 1966. ↵

  • (xcvi) and (xcvii) Reserved.

  • (xcviii) 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. ↵

  • (cxix) Jewish Chronicle reports of 7 December 1945 and 31 May 1946. ↵

  • (c) Previous Registration Districts:
    For Preston: Preston - from 1 July 1837 to 1 April 1974; and Preston & South Ribble - from 1 April 1974 to 1 June 2005.
    For Kirkham: Garstang - from 1 July 1837 to 1 April 1998; and Lancaster - from 1 April 1998 to 1 June 2005.
    All registers would now be held by the current office. ↵

  • (ci) to (cix) Reserved.

  • (cx) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1940. ↵

  • (cxi) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1947. ↵

  • (cxii) Reserved.

  • (cxiii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 35. ↵

  • (cxiv) Cowell's Preston History, p. 61. ↵

  • (cxv) Cowell's Preston History, pp. 65/6. ↵

  • (cxvi) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1950. ↵

  • (cxvii) and (cxviii) Reserved.

  • (cxix) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1940. ↵

  • (cxx) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1940. ↵

  • (cxxi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 62. ↵

  • (cxxii) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6. ↵

  • (cxxiii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 88. ↵

  • (cxxiv) and (cxxv) Reserved.

  • (cxxvi) Cowell's Preston History, p. 48. ↵

  • (cxxvii) Jewish Chronicle report of 9 December 1938. ↵

  • (cxxviii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 60. ↵

  • (cxxix) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6. ↵

  • (cxxx) and (cxxxi) Reserved.

  • (cxxxii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 36. ↵

  • (cxxxii) Cowell's Preston History, p. 89. ↵

List of Synagogues at RAF Stations

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Page created: 9 October 2005
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 16 June 2024
Page most recently amended: 15 August 2024

Research and formatting by David Shulman

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