Press Reports: |
The existence of this congregation is
currently based primarily on the following two press reports (which have
kindly been brought to JCR-UK's attention by Naomi Cream):
Chester Courant, 11 September 1798, page 3 (Sunday Night Post)
"Sept 8(?) - Friday a Jewish Synagogue, a small
building near a Mr. Lyon’s academy Jesus-lane, neatly fitted
up, and capable of holding about 100 person was consecrated
in the usual manner. About four o’clock in the afternoon, the
place was completely filled, when the ceremonies
commenced as follow: the two sacred rolls containing the
Pentateuch (written on parchment according to customary
rules) were brought from the house, under a canopy, to the
synagogue, and in the same manner carried round the pulpit,
during which time Mr. Lyon accompanied by the children and
several of the congregation, sung the 16th verse of the 118th psalm, assisted by a band of music; the rolls were then laid
upon the pulpit, when a long prayer accompanied with music
was chaunted[sic]: the rolls were then carried into the ark
were[sic] they remained during the evening service, after
which the form of consecration began. – The rolls were taken
from the ark, and was[sic] carried seven times round the
pulpit by different persons, several verses were sung during
their procession and between each time a different psalm;
after which, prayers were offered for the Royal family, the
chancellor, vice-chancellor, and the rest of the university, the
mayor, the aldermen, and corporation; then followed a prayer,
in which each name of the subscribers was mentioned, with
their several sums subscribed to the building of the
synagogue; then followed the sabbath evening service
consisting of various passages from the psalms and other
parts the Old Testament, which were all chaunted. Several
gentlemen of the Hebrew religion came from London on this
occasion, whose excellent voices gave universal pleasure.
Several of the masters and other gentlemen of the university,
and many ladies and gentlemen of the town were present, and
the whole spectacle gave satisfaction, as it afforded evidence
of that toleration which the laws of England afford to persons
of different religions and sects."
Hampshire Chronicle and Southampton Gazette, 24 June 1833
"Married, in London, on the 12th inst. G. Henery[sic], Esq. of Haydon-Square and Finsbury Circus, to Kate, youngest daughter of the late
Rev. Solomon Lyon,
formerly Professor of Hebrew at the University of Cambridge, whose various literary productions excited admiration among all classical characters, and were
patronised by the Royal Family. He was master of the celebrated Hebrew Academy, and built the superb Synagogue, the consecration of which, in 1798, was
attended by the Lord Chancellor, the nobility and gentry, and the principal families of the Israelites from London."
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