Name:

Hitchin Hebrew Congregation⁽ⁱ⁾

Address:

From at least 1941, regular Shabbat and festival services were held at the Congregational Church Hall, Queen Street, Hitchin, by permission of the Church deacons.^(iv)

Following the war, the address of the congregation was still listed as Queen Street, Hitchin.^(v) 

Formation & Communal Activities:

In 1940, one of the largest Jewish friendly societies in Britain, Order Achei Brith, evacuated its head office, staff and records from the East End of London to Glentworth House, 20 Wymondley Road, Hitchin. The Hitchin community held communal meetings, and social and charitable functions at Glentworth House.^(vi)

The following three 1941 reports from The Jewish Chronicle provide an informative perspective on the formation of community and its activities:

• The Jewish Chronicle of 27 June 1941
  HITCHIN COMMUNITY BEING ORGANISED
  The growth of the Jewish Community in the district of Hitchin, Herts., has led to important changes in the arrangements for religious observance and social activities. At a meeting of Jewish residents held at the offices of the Order Achei Brith, Glentworth House, Hitchin, with Mr. C. Bluslon in the chair, Mr. H. S. Schildkraut presented a statement on negotiations with the Board of Deputies and the Central Committee for Evacuation. Arrangements have been made for religious education for the children attending day school, and for special classes to be taken by the Rev. S. Wolfe on Sundays. For the time being Synagogue services are held regularly at the Hitchin Congregational Church Hall, Queen Street, where the Social Circle also meets on Sunday evenings. A Board of Management has been appointed. Mr. S. Teacher, of 92, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, is Treasurer of the Synagogue and Social Circle, and will supply particulars on application. The local authority is sympathetic and very helpful. The Social Circle has arranged a number of cricket matches with local teams, and is preparing an interesting syllabus of social and literary events. It is hoped also to provide a centre for the younger boys and girls, with all the usual club facilities.

• The Jewish Chronicle of 18 July 1941
  HITCHIN
  At a concert arranged for the Hitchin Hebrew Social Circle last week by Mr. J. Jackson, a section of concert party provided a varied entertainment. Cricket matches have been played against the Kings Sports Club and the Hitchin Boys Club, and other matches are being arranged for Sunday afternoons. A Ladies' Committee has been formed at Hitchin. It is co-operating in the organisation of a talk on "War-Time Jewish Cookery" on Wednesday afternoon, July 30, by Mrs. L. J. Greenberg. The Joint Emergency Committee has completed arrangements for religious instruction to Jewish children attending local schools, and for special classes every Sunday morning.

• The Jewish Chronicle of 19 August 1941
  HITCHIN
  The small Jewish community In Hitchin is rapidly developing a comprehensive scheme of religious and social services. The number of children attending religion classes is increasing, and the Sunday evening club circle is becoming a popular meeting place for Jewish residents and for men in the Forces. By permission of the Deacons, the Congregational Church Hall, Queen Street, will be available for services. A Ladies' Guild which has been formed, will have its inaugural "At Home" next Wednesday, September 3, at Glentworth House, with Mesdames H. S. Shields and A. Teacher as hostesses. Mrs. & Bechal has been appointed Chairman, Mrs. Epstein Treasurer, and Mrs. S. Elvy Secretary.

Date Closed:

Closed in about 1947.^(viii)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi - Orthodox

Affiliation:

None known.

Religious Leaders:

Rev. Lewis Rosenberg - religious teacher in about 1939/40.^(x)

Rev. Samuel Wolfe - minister from 1941 to 1945.^(xi)

Lay Officers:

Charles Bluston - President from at least 1942 until about 1947^(xiii)

S. Teacher - Treasurer appointed in 1941^(xiv)

Charles Oliver - Treasurer and Secretary appointed in 1942 and Secretary from about 1946.^(xv)

W. Harris - Treasurer from at least 1945^(xviii)

S. Bernstein and Mr. Mogil - Wardens elected in 1942.^(xix)