Tredegar Jewish Community

Selective Press Reports relating to the Tredegar Jewish Community, Wales
1873-1981

Compiled by Harold Pollins

Jewish Chronicle, 3 January 1873 page 553

“The Jews of Tredegar in Monmouthshire, comprising about a dozen families, have formed themselves into a congregation. Heretofore they attended places of worship in neighbouring towns, though as these are at some distance from Tredegar, the Tredegar Jews find it more convenient and suitable to have a place of congregational meeting in their own town. The Rev. Mr. S. Shynman, formerly minister of Merthyr Tydvil congregation, has been engaged (under the sanction of the Chief Rabbi) to act as Shochet. He has also established a school which is, we understand, attended by the children of the Tredegar congregation. Mr. Lewis Lyons of this town has fitted up a portion of his house as a synagogue, with accommodation for lady worshippers, and has presented the congregation with a Scroll of the Law. Our informant speaks very gratefully of his efforts. We are glad to learn that a brotherly feeling prevails in this little congregation. We trust that feeling will be permanent,”

Jewish Chronicle, 18 August 1876, page 308

Letter from Marks J. S. Lyons contributing to correspondence about financial problems of building synagogue at Tredegar.

Jewish Chronicle, 25 October 1878 page 7a

Services on High Festivals held at the Tredegar temporary synagogue

Three Jewish residents of Tredegar say they will provide a permanent place of worship for the entire congregation, independent of extraneous aid.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 25 March 1884 page 9

On Tuesday next the Rev Dr H. Adler, Delegate Chief Rabbi, will consecrate the new synagogue at Tredegar
 

Jewish Chronicle, 2 May 1884 page 7

‘Consecration of New Synagogue at Tredegar’.

Jewish Chronicle, 27 May 1887, page 12

Marks J. S. Lyons, Hon Sec of the Tredegar congregation, elected member of the Ebbw Vale Local Government Board. Believed to be first Jew in Wales to have attained such a position and is youngest member of the Board.

Jewish Chronicle, 6 September 1889, page 13

There was considerable interest in Brynmawr in a Jewish wedding there last week, between Isabella Harris and Michael Ash. Rev J. Phillips and Rev M. Weinstock of Tredegar officiated.
[Isabella Harris lived in Tredegar in household headed by Herman Harris]

Jewish Chronicle, 13 September 1889, page 13

A Glamorganshire weekly paper, under the heading ‘A Jewish Wedding at Brynmawr’, gives a verbatim account of the marriage address by Rev J. Phillips of Tredegar.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 2 January 1891, page 20

Society in aid of the Jews’ Hospital and Orphan Asylum formed at Tredegar as the West Monmouthshire and Breconshire Jews’ Orphan Aid Society. Inaugural meeting on 21 December and Marks Lyons elected president.

Jewish Chronicle, 1 June 1894, page 5

Chief Rabbi's pastoral tour. 'He visited for first time the small communities scattered in the townlets and villages perched on the bleak hills of South Wales. The congregations of Aberdare, Tredegar, Brynmawr, Pontypridd, Penycraig, and Tony Pandy [sic], consist almost exclusively of Russian immigrants...'
 

 
Jewish Chronicle, 25 January 1895 page 20

"Much regret is felt by the Jews in Tredegar at the death in Naples, of their townsman, Mr. Edward William Waites. He was a man of great piety and benevolence. For the last seventeen or eighteen years since he left the Church (he was for a long time a Churchwarden) Mr. Waites devoted his attention to Jewish charities, to many of which he contributed privately. It is to Mr. Waites that the Tredegar congregation is indebted for their handsome synagogue. Mr. Waites held the Chief Rabbi in the highest esteem."

Jewish Chronicle, 25 August 1911, page 8

Re the disturbances in Tredegar and elsewhere.
In Tredegar there are 150 Jews.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 14 November 1919, page 32

Conference of Brynmawr, Tredegar, Ebbw Vale, and Newbridge and District Congregations was held at the Synagogue Schoolrooms, Ebbw Vale in connection with the new Burial Ground of the Brynmawr Congregation. Decided on the proposition of A. I [sic] Roskin seconded by H. Broder (Tredegar) and supported by G. Abrahams (Ebbw Vale) and J. Morris and I. Brest (Brynmawr) to form a Joint Burial Board Committee and a Building Committee of the above congregations to formulate rules and plans for the cemetery. Thanks to Mr Abel Myers of Abersychan for his gift of the plot, valued at £250.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 19 August 1927, page 8

Obituary of A.D. Roskin aged 76. 'He founded the Brynmawr, Tredegar and Ebbw Vale Synagogues and established the co-ordination of Jewish activities in the Western Valleys'. Related to Mendele Mocher Sepharim.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 28 July 1933, page 32

At Tredegar Messrs H. Broder and J. Cohen appointed at Treasurers to the Brynmawr and District Jewish Burial Board and G. Rosenbaum, J. Cohen, and A. Baddiel were elected to serve on the Committee.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 25 July 1941, page 21

Obituary of Rev Getzel Bloch
Great loss to Orthodoxy. Came to UK almost half a century ago. Served as Chazan and Shochet of Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr and later served as a senior official of the London Board of Shechita. His great contribution was as a teacher and he taught several generations of young men who became officials and responsible laymen in the community. A member of a well-known Anglo-Jewish ministerial family including: late Rabbi S, Bloch (Birmingham, Sunderland, London); late Revs S. Bloch (Glasgow) and G. G. Bloch (Ilford); Rev M. Bloch (Portsmouth and The Borough); Rev C.M. Bloch (Portsmouth); and Rabbi Dr E. Kirzner.
 

Jewish Chronicle, 24 May 1946, page 13

Meeting of Brynmawr and Tredegar Congregation. The Sec A. Brest reported that Rabbi Schwartz would shortly be leaving for the USA. Dr Cecil Sandler of Hounslow elected representative at Board of Deputies.

Jewish Chronicle, 20 November 1953 page 19

‘Synagogue to be sold. No minyan at Tredegar’.
The Montefiore Centenary Synagogue, Morgan Street, which was built in 1891[sic] is to be sold. Since 1944 no minyan and no services and the synagogue has been almost permanently closed.
There was a temporary synagogue at 18 Queen Street.