JCR-UK

the former

Stroud Jewish Community

& Synagogue

Stroud, Gloucestershire

 

 
 

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

Town of Stroud

The town of Stroud, in the West of England, is situated in the local government district of Stroud within the county of Gloucestershire.  The district was formed in 1974 by the merger of a number of local authorities in south-west Gloucestershire, including the Stroud urban district.

Stroud Jewish Community

There was a small organised Jewish community in Stroud, being one of only two southern English towns (the other being Reading) in which new communities of Eastern European Jews were formed in the late nineteenth century, where there had previously been no existing community. This was largely the result of Jews being able to find work in the tailoring and clothing trade associated with the large mills of Hill Paul and Holloway Bros. of Threadneedle Street, Stroud. The community was, however, short-lived and with the decline of the local textile industry in the first decade of the twentieth century, the community (which had its own purpose-buit synagogue - see below) had ceased to exist by the end of that decade. For more details see the social history of the Jewish Community of Stroud, 1877-1908 by Harold Pollins.

In 2008, the Gloucestershire Liberal Jewish Congregation, now known as the Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (see separately), was established, serving the counties of Gloucestershire (including Stroud), Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Congregation Data

Name:

Stroud Synagogue

Last Address:

31 Landsdown Road, Lansdown, Stroud GL5, a purpose-built synagogue consecrated on 26 February 1889 by Dr. Hermann Adler, Delegate Chief Rabbi.(ii)

The synagogue was sold in 1910. The building is now a private dwelling divided into two semi-detached residences.

Previous Address:

Slad Road, Stroud from 1881(iii) to 1889.

Date Formed:

1879(iv)

Current Status:

With the decline of the local textile industry, by 1908, the congregation had fallen to a handful of families, the congregation had ceased to function, and the mortgagees having taken possession of the synagogue due to rising debts.(v)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Ministers, Readers, Teachers and Shochets:
(To view a short profile of a minister, reader, etc. - hold the cursor over his name.)

Rev. Samuel Orler - minister from about 1880 until 1890(x)

Rev. Abraham Rosenberg - minister from 1890 until 1893(xi)

Rev. A. Levinson - minister from 1893 until 1894(xii)

Rev. David Jacobs - minister and headmaster from January 1895 until 1896(xiii) 

Rev. Wolff Stoloff - minister and headmaster from 1896 until about 1898(xiv)

Rev. Hyman Huldinsky - minister from about 1898 until about 1900(xvii)

Rev. Nathan Speakmaster - headmaster from about 1900 until about 1902(xviii)

Rev. Lewis Smorgansky - minister in 1901(xix)

Rev. Isaac Ostroff - minister from about 1902 until about 1904(xx) 

Rev. Zechariah Dimovitch (Dimson) - minister from August 1904 until April 1905(xxi)

Rev. Isidore Lubetzki - minister from about 1905 until about 1907(xxii)

Lay Officers:

Presidents(xxvi)

1882-1883 - Gabriel Ruben(xxvii)

1883-1889 - Samuel Hyman(xxviii)

1889-1890 - Isaac Levy(xxix)

1890-1891 - Isidore Greensweig(xxx)

1891-1893 - Elias Greensweig(xxxi)

1893-1894 - Isaac Levy(xxxii)

1894-1896 - Joseph Goldstein(xxxiii)

1896-1898 - Elias Greensweig(xxxiv)

1898-1900 - Isaac Levy(xxxv)

1900-1901 - Joseph Goldstein(xxxviii)

1901-1903 - Isaac Englishmann(xxxix)

1903-1906 - Maurice Malinski(xl)

1906-1907 - Isaac Englishmann(xli)

1907-1908 - Marks Levy(xlii)

from 1909 - Maurice Malinski(xliii)

Treasurers(xlvi)

1884 - Mr. Levy

1889 - Isaac Englishmann

1889-1890 - Elias Greensweig

1890-1891 - Charles Berman

1891-1894 - Solomon Sperber

1894-1896 - Isaac Englishmann

1896-1897 - Solomon Sperber

1897-1898 - Marks Levy

1898-1903 - Maurice Malinski

 

Secretaries

1882-1890 - Rev. Samuel Orler(xlvii)

1890-1907 - Isaac Minden Shane(xlviii)

1907-1909 - E. Malinski(xlix)

from 1909 - Isaac Minden Shane(xlviii)

Membership Data:

Number of Seatholders From Board of Deputies Reports(l)

1882

1883

1884

1885

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

48

14

15

16

16

17

18

17

16

1891

1892

1893

1894

1895

1896

1897

1898

1899

14

20

16

14

11

15

9

12

7

Registration District (BMD):

Gloucestershire (since 1 April 2006)(li) - Link to Register Office Website.

 


Search the All-UK Database

The records in the database associated with Stroud include:

  • Census:

    • Extracts for Stroud from: 1881 and 1901 censuses (264 records)

  • UK Jewish Communal Leaders Database - Stroud records:

    • JCR-UK Listings and others (records of 30 individuals - as of the March 2024 update).
       

 

On-line Articles and Other Material
relating to the Stroud Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

 

Notable Jewish Connections to Stroud

  • Michael Horovitz OBE (b.1935 in Germany, descended both on his father's and mother's side from rabbinical families), poet, editor, artist and translator, lived and worked in Stroud in the 1970s.

  • Adam Horovitz (Michael Horovitz's son, b.1971), also a poet and writer, spent his early childhood in Stroud. His first published collection, Next Year in Jerusalem (2004) deals with his Jewish family and identity. His book, A Thousand Laurie Lees (2014) draws on memoir, myth and literature from "Cider with Rosie" country (Stroud and the Slad valley).

  • Jenny Joseph (1932-2018) poet, lived in nearby Minchinhampton.

Other Stroud Jewish Institutions & Organisations

Educational & Theological

  • Hebrew School (founded 1878)
    Number of pupils:(lii)

    Year

    1896

    1897

    1906

    Boys

    18

    22

    22

    Girls

      4

    10

    16

    Total

    22

    32

    28

 

Stroud Jewish Cemetery Information

There was no Jewish cemetery in Stroud, the Jewish community would have used the cemeteries in Gloucester and later, Cheltenham.

 

Stroud Jewish Population Data

1896

101

(The Jewish Year Book 1896/7)

1897

114

(The Jewish Year Book 1897/8)

1900

about 100

(The Jewish Year Book 1898/9)

 

Notes and Sources:
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i)

  • (ii) The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode, p. 58 and Jewish Chronicle report of 1 March 1889. ↵

  • (iii) Jewish Chronicle report of 16 September 1881. ↵

  • (iv) The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode, p. 57. ↵

  • (v) Various press reports and The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode, p. 61/2. The marriage register was closed by order of the registrar on 6 April 1908 "in consequence of the Stroud Synagogue having been disused". Notwithstanding the demise of the congregation in 1908, it continued to be listed in Jewish Year Books until 1929, when it was noted that the congregation had closed. In 1935 the Jewish Year Book stated that the congregation had ceased to exist in "about 1910". ↵

  • (vi) to (ix) Reserved.

  • (x) The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History entry for Falmouth refers to Rev. Orler leaving there in 1880 and it is believed he went directly to Stroud. In the Jewish Chronicle report of 16 September 1881, he is mentioned as already in Stroud. The Jewish Chronicle report of 27 June 1890 refers to him leaving Stroud having been minister for the last ten years and the recipient of "a handsome testimonial from his pupils". ↵

  • (xi) Jewish Chronicle report of 27 June 1890 refers to Rev. Rosenberg's appointment as minister of the congregation. The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode, p. 69, lists him as minister to 1893. ↵

  • (xii) Jewish Chronicle report of 28 July 1893 refers to Rev. Levinson's appointment as minister of the congregation. There are press reports of his continuing to serve in early 1894. ↵

  • (xiii) Jewish Chronicle report of 18 January 1895 refers to the appointment of Rev. Jacobs of Pontypridd as minister of the congregation and the report of 16 October 1896 refers to his resignation, after two years upon receiving another appointment. He is also listed as minister of the congregation and headmaster of the religious classes in the first Jewish Year Book, 1896/97. ↵

  • (xiv) Jewish Chronicle report of 20 November 1896 refers to the appointment of Rev. Stoloff of Cheltenham as minister of the congregation. In 1898 he was appointed minister in Southampton. He is also listed as headmaster of the Stroud religious classes in the Jewish Year Book, 1897/98. ↵

  • (xv) and (xvi) Reserved.

  • (xvii) Based upon Rev. Hyman Huldinsky's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1898/99 through 1900/01. ↵

  • (xviii) Based upon Rev. Nathan Speakmaster's listing as head master of the congregation's Hebrew School in Jewish Year Books 1900/01 and 1901/02. ↵

  • (xix) Spelled Smolenski in the 1901 census. Jewish Chronicle report of 1 March 1901 refers to his appointment (name spelled Smogansky) and the report of 30 August 1901 (name spelled Smorgonsky) refers to his leaving to take up post in Vilna. ↵

  • (xx) Rev. Ostroff was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1902/03 through 1905/06. However, various press reports place him in Stroud only until 1904. ↵

  • (xxi) The Jewish Chronicle report of 26 August 1904 refers to the appointment of Rev. Dimovitch (later Dimson) and the report of 31 March 1905 refers to him leaving Stroud. The family history: Palestine & Kosher Wine, The Story of Rachel Dimson, indicates that he came to Stroud somewhat earlier (but this does not appear to be consistent with the earlier newspaper and the reports relating to his predecessor). He is not listed as minister in any Jewish Year Book. ↵

  • (xxii) Based upon Rev. Lubetzki's listing as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1906/07. A Jewish Chronicle report of 6 October 1905 refers to a Rev. I. Lubelski conducting New Year services in Stroud and a report of 4 January 1907, "Rev L. Lubetsky formerly of Stroud" had been appointed to serve the Chester community. ↵

  • (xxiii) to (xxv) Reserved.

  • (xxvi) Extracted from various sources, as indicated (some of which are contradictory) including the list of officers appearing on p. 67 of The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode (here referred to a "Torode's History") which lists the presidents until about 1899; Jewish Year Books first published 1896/7; and Jewish Chronicle reports. ↵

  • (xxvii) Torode's History, p. 69. ↵

  • (xxviii) Torode's History, p. 69 and various Jewish Chronicle reports ↵

  • (xxix) Torode's History, p. 69 and Jewish Chronicle report of 19 July 1889. ↵

  • (xxx) Torode's History, p. 69 and Jewish Chronicle report of 15 August 1890. ↵

  • (xxxi) Jewish Chronicle report of 24 July 1891. Torode's History, p. 69 list him as president only from 1892, which appears to be an error. ↵

  • (xxxii) Jewish Chronicle report of 18 August 1893. Torode's History, p. 69 list I. Levy as president for two years, which appears to be an error. ↵

  • (xxxi) Jewish Chronicle reports of 17 August 1894, 30 August 1895 and 14 August 1896. Torode's History omits reference to this period of office by Mr. Goldstein. ↵

  • (xxxiv) Jewish Chronicle report of 18 December 1896. Torode's History, p. 69 list E. Greensweig as president from 1895, which appears to be an error. He is also listed ass president in the first Jewish Year Book (1896/97). ↵

  • (xxxv) Jewish Chronicle report of 18 August 1898, although he may have first been elected the previous year. Torode's History, p. 69 lists I. Levy as president from 1897. He is also listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1897/98 through 1899/1900. ↵

  • (xxxvi) and (xxxvii) Reserved.

  • (xxxviii) Jewish Chronicle report of 2 February 1900. Torode's History, p. 69 list J. Goldstein as president from 1898 to 1899, which appears to be an error. He is also listed ass president in Jewish Year Books 1900/01 and 1901/02. ↵

  • (xxxix) Jewish Chronicle report of 20 August 1901. I. Englishmann is first listed as president of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1902/03 and 1903/04. ↵

  • (xl) Jewish Chronicle report of 28 August 1903. M. Malinski is first listed as president of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1904/05 and 1905/06. ↵

  • (xli) Based upon I. Englishmann's listing as president of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1906/07. ↵

  • (xlii) Based upon M. Levy's listing as president of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1907/08 and 1909. There are also press reports during the period in which he is referred to as president. ↵

  • (xliii) Based upon M. Malinski's listing as president of the congregation from the Jewish Year Books 1910. He continued to be listed as president long after the congregation ceased to exist. ↵

  • (xliv) and (xlv) Reserved.

  • (xlvi) This data has been extracted exclusively from the press reports compiled by Harold Pollins, supplamented only with the following data from Jewish Year Books:
       Solomon Sperber, treasurer listed in 1896/7 edition;
       Marks Levy, treasurer listed in 1898/99 edition; and
       Maurice Malinski, treasurer listed in editions from 1899/1900 through 1903/04. ↵

  • (xlvii) Torode's History, p. 69. ↵

  • (xlviii) There are press reports indicating that Mr. Shane acted as secretary even before 1890. However Torode's History, p. 69 list I.M. Shane as secretary from 1890 to at least 1905. He is also listed as secretary in Jewish Year Books from 1896/7 (the first edition) until long after the congregation ceased to exist, except for the editions 1907/8 and 1909. ↵

  • (xlix) Based upon E. Malinski's listing as secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1907/8 and 1909. ↵

  • (l) As listed in The Hebrew Community of Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud (1989), by Brian Torode, p. 69. ↵

  • (li) Former registration district: Stroud - 1 July 1837 to 1 April 2006. Any records would now be held by the current register office. ↵

  • (lii) Data extracted from relevant Jewish Year Books. ↵

 
Jewish Congregations in Gloucestershire

Jewish Communities of England home page


Page created: 5 July 2004
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 16 May 2021
Page most recently amended: 2 April 2024

Research and formatting by David Shulman

 

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