Press Reports relating to the Dewsbury Synagogue and Jewish Community

Compiled by Harold Pollins

Jewish Chronicle, 20 March 1885, page 5

‘When John Sargeant was first elected for Dewsbury in 1868 there was not a single Jewish voter or resident in the town. Even now there are only two German Jews living there.' [Presumably Leopold and Max Flatow]

London Gazette, 22 December 1888, page 6,213

‘Partnership between Adolphus Flatow of Savile Tower near Dewsbury, Shoddy and Mungo Merchant, and Samuel Lumb of Caledonia Road, Batley, carrying on business as Shoddy and Mungo Merchants at Bradford Road, Dewsbury, under style of A. Flatow and Lumb, is hereby dissolved and business will be carried on by A. Flatow alone and will pay all partnership debts and receive all moneys due.'

London Gazette, 2 June 1891, page 2,929

Naturalisations in May. Max Wronker Flatow 27 April 1891, Dewsbury

London Gazette, 25 December 1891, page 7,173

Partnership between Adolf Flatow, Max Wronker Flatow and Henri Coupe, Rag Merchants, Dewsbury, under style Flatow Brothers and Coupe, has been dissolved by mutual consent as from 32 December 1891. All debts due to and owing to the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Adolf Flatow and Max Wronker Flatow.

London Gazette, 2 February 1892, page 553

Naturalisations in January. Adolf Wronker Flatow 16 January 1892, Victoria Crescent, Birkdale Road, Dewsbury.

London Gazette, 1 August 1893, page 4,360

Naturalisations in July. Jacobi Wrouker(sic) Flatow 2 July 1893, West Park Road, Dewsbury.

London Gazette, 2 January 1894, page 7

Naturalisations in December. Leopold Isidor Flatow 4 December 1893, West Park Street.

Dewsbury Kelly's Directory, West Riding of Yorkshire, 1897, page 362

L. Flatow and Sons, rag merchants, Bond St,Dewsbury Flatow Brothers and Co, rag importers, Back Church St, Dewsbury.

Jewish Chronicle, 15 September 1897, page 21

Preston. Services conducted by Rev S. Rosloffski gratuitously assisted for the 3rd year by Mr M. Cohen, Dewsbury

National Archives, 1900 Naturalisations

Louis Salinsky, Resident in Dewsbury. Certificate no. A1135. Issued 15 February 1900

Jewish Chronicle, 18 September 1903, page 1

Julius Salinsky, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Louis Salinsky, of 15 Hartley Street, Dewsbury, will read a sidrah at New Briggate Synagogue, Leeds, on 26 September.

Jewish Chronicle, 1 September 1905, page 25

‘Through the energy of a few coreligionists, a Minyan has been formed in Dewsbury, and services are to be held on the ensuing High Festivals. A large room in the Town Hall has been rented for this purpose. The Jewish inhabitants are anxious eventually to form themselves into a congregation. The support of Jewish residents in and around Dewsbury is desired for the movement’.

Jewish Chronicle, 6 April 1906, page 36

‘Last Sunday [1 April] the first Jewish place of worship in Dewsbury was opened by Alderman J. Moser JP, of Bradford.  Service conducted by Rev M. Abrahams, Visiting Minister, assisted by Revs S. Diamond, Reuben Tribich, and C. Kahn.’

The synagogue consists of rooms in Grove Street, structurally altered and adapted.

The executive consists of L. Salinski, President; B. Freidman, Vice-President; K. Weiss, Treasurer; M. Phillips, Hon Sec.

In evening a Siyum (completion) of a Sepher Torah was held in the synagogue, where Rev C. Kahn (Leeds) read the evening service with organ accompaniment. Among the presentations were curtains and drapery by Mrs B. Freidman, silver and ivory pointer for Sepher Torah by Mr S. Isaacs, Leeds, and a mantle by Mr Krupans.'

Jewish Chronicle, 20 April 1906, page 27

‘Service was held at ‘the new temporary synagogue in Grove Street’.

Jewish Chronicle, 20 April 1906, page 29

'Rev Mr Dobkin officiated and preached sermons on last two days. Made strong appeal to congregants to attend services punctually and regularly and to work for peace and harmony.' [Dobkin previously in Barnsley: Jewish Chronicle 17 July 1903, p. 26; 6 October 1905 p. 22; and 16 November 1906 p.39]

Jewish Chronicle, 5 October 1906, page 27

‘Mr. B. Witow of Berlin has presented a Sepher Torah with mantle and silver yod. Mr J. L.(sic) Flatow of Dewsbury presented it on behalf of his brother-in-law and subscribed £5 ‘towards the establishment of a Benevolent Society to help poor coreligionists in Dewsbury.

All the members of the congregation with their wives and children inscribed a letter in the Sepher Torah and Rev S. Masson of Leeds announced that their offerings were added to the Benevolent Society. Also mention of Rev M. Abraham of Leeds. Sepher Torah placed in Ark by Mr L. Salinsky, President of the congregation.’.

Jewish Chronicle, 5 October 1906, page 31

‘Service at Grove Street was conducted by Rev. Mr. Dobkin assisted by his choir and Mr Fried.

Neilah was conducted by Mr Strauss. Mr L. Salinsky has presented a Ner Tamid, Mr Wattsman a clock, and Mr I. Flowers a table-cover’.

Jewish Chronicle, 16 November 1906, page 39

Naturalisations in October. Eugene Ernest Weiss, Dewsbury.

Jewish Chronicle, 23 November 1906, page 41

Reference to Amelia Salinsky and her brother in Leeds.

Jewish Chronicle, 7 December 1906, page 35

Reference to Amelia and Julius Salinsky of Leeds.

Jewish Chronicle, 18 January 1907 page 29

First meeting of the Hebrew Benevolent Society was held at the synagogue, Grove Street. Rules were adopted and the following elected: J.W. Flatow, President; L. Salinsky, M Wattsman, and Hyman, Committee; Rev I. Dobkin, Secretary.

Jewish Chronicle, 1 February 1907 page 33

General meeting of the Hebrew Congregation held at the Grove Street Synagogue. Balance sheet and report adopted. Elected: Mr M. Wattsman, President; M. Cohen, Vice-president; L. Salinsky, Treasurer; R. Weiss, S. Stross. L. Knowles, Committee; J. Stross and R. Weiss, Auditors; S. Tissar, Hon Sec

Jewish Chronicle, 30 August 1907 page 2

Death in London of Esther Wolfe, wife of Israel Simons Wolfe, and mother of, inter alia, Mr J. S Hyams, 9 Blenheim Terrace, Dewsbury

Jewish Chronicle, 18 September 1907 page 29

First meeting of subscribers to Hebrew Benevolent Fund held at the synagogue, Grove Street. Elected: J.W. Flatow, President; L. Salinsky, M. Wattsman, Hyman, Committee; I. Dobkin, Secretary

Kelly’s Directory Yorkshire West Riding vol 1 (other places), 1908, page 217

Samuel Stross, West Park Street, Dewsbury

Kelly’s Directory Yorkshire West Riding vol 1 (other places), 1908, page 1380

Flatow Brothers, Westley Street, Dewsbury rag merchants L. Flatow and Sons, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, rag merchants Jacobs Brothers and Co, West End Mills, Westgate, Dewsbury.

Kelly’s Directory Yorkshire West Riding vol 1 (other places), 1908, page 1431

Isaac Krupeney 67 Mill Road, Batley Carr, Dewsbury

Jewish Chronicle, 31 January 1908 page 28

Annual meeting of the congregation. Elected: J. W. Flatow, President; L. Salinsky, Treasurer; M. Wattsman and L. Knowles, Committee. Hon Sec pro tem J. Salinsky

Jewish Chronicle, 22 May 1908 page27

‘F’ writes, referring to news item in last week’s issue which stated that there were no Jews in Dewsbury when John Sergeant was MP 1868-88, that as President of the Dewsbury congregation that he has lived in the town for 33 years and at one time three members of his family were electors and he knows of 6 more Jewish voters in Dewsbury.

Yorkshire Evening Post 2 November 1909 page 6

Case involving two rag and shoddy merchants. Joseph Stross of the firm of Messrs Stross & Sons of Bradford Road, Dewsbury, charged Robert John Weiss of Heckmondwyke and two travellers with assaulting him. Weiss charged Stross with assaulting him. Stross appeared with two black eyes, Weiss had right hand in bandages. Mentioned that Stross’s firm had a warehouse at the Great Northern Railway’s depot in Dewsbury. Charges dismissed.

Jewish Chronicle, 1 April 1910 page 16

Interview with J.E. Blank of the Dispersion Committee. Among the places which have received families was Dewsbury. Does not know how many have remained in the various towns.

Jewish Chronicle, 29 April 1910 page 1

Death on 11 April of Samuel Stross

Jewish Chronicle, 30 September 1910, page xvii

‘At Dewsbury ‘the Market Stallholders’ Association have passed a recommendation of their committee:

"That Jews should be refused membership of the Association".’

Jewish Chronicle, 27 January 1911 page 1

Marriage on 26 January in Birmingham of Rosie, daughter of Mr and Mrs Myer Thomas, Edgbaston, to Maurice Stross, eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Samuel Stross of Dewsbury and Leeds, late of Lodz, Poland.

Yorkshire Evening Post 15 December 1911 page 8

‘Trouble on a tramcar in Leeds’ Police court today. PC Goodall and Henry Woodhead, tram conductor, were summoned for assaulting Morris Stross, woollen merchant of Dewsbury. Stross summoned for assaulting the conductor. Stross lives in Leeds but carries on business in Dewsbury. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

Jewish Chronicle, 15 December 1911, page 18

‘Robert Weiss of Dewsbury with Hubert Oxley were killed in an aviation accident at Filey on the 6^th inst. Oxley was a qualified pilot and principal of an aviation school at Filey. Weiss was a keen amateur with his own biplane. A prize of £50 had been offered for the first flight from the Yorkshire coast to Leeds. They were hoping to take part and were at Filey when the accident occurred.

He was a brother of Mrs J. Flatow of Dewsbury. He was aged 28 and a partner in Anglo-Russian Trading Co. He was German-born and came to UK about 6 years ago. Buried in Germany.’

Jewish Chronicle, 16 December 1911 page 11

Tramcar case. All summonses dismissed except for one by Stross against the PC. Judgement to be delivered within a week or ten day.

Jewish Chronicle, 31 May 1912 page 23

Leeds Jewish Institute. Elected to Committee, -. Flatow (Dewsbury)

Jewish Chronicle, 4 October 1912 page 28

The Local Education Authority has appointed Miss Rose Salinsky of Dewsbury to fill a vacancy in one of the schools.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 6 January 1913 page 9

S Stross and Sons Ltd registered as a private company. Capital £15,000. Dealers, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and dealers in rags, shoddy waste, wool, hair and other raw materials. First directors Mr M. Stross and Mrs J. Stross. Registered offices Scouthill Mills, Dewsbury.

Jewish Chronicle, 11 April 1913 page 34

Leeds Jewish Board of Guardians. Among the VPs elected was J.W. Flatow, Dewsbury.

Yorkshire Evening Post 4 December 1913 page 8

‘Cost of Bolstering Up a Lie’. ‘Dewsbury Rag Merchant Sent to Prison’. Joseph Stross, 23, member of Dewsbury firm of Stross and Sons Ltd, Rag Merchants, and Arthur Booth, one of his employees. At Crown Court Leeds. Stross charged with committing wilful and corrupt perjury at the Dewsbury Police Court and also with suborning Booth who was charged with committing perjury. On June 30 Stross travelled from Leeds to Dewsbury with 3rd class ticket but was seen alighting from a 1st class carriage. Wanted Booth to appear as witness for him but Booth refused. Refused to pay the 1s 4d excess. Six months with hard labour for Stross.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 16 July 1914 page 9

Fatal Motor Collision in Dewsbury Charles Spivey on bicycle knocked down by car driven by Mr E.W. Flatow of ‘ Laurelhirst’, Springfield Terrace, Dewsbury.

Yorkshire Evening Post 24 July 1914 page 5

Conflicting evidence. Inquest on motor collision, involving Ernest Wronker Flatow, rag merchant. Jury decided the motor car was driven recklessly and so caused the accident but not criminal.

Jewish Chronicle, 24 July 1914 page 1

Betrothal of Amelia, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Salinsky of Dewsbury to Harry, eldest son of Mr and Mrs A. Frieze of Leeds.

London Gazette 6 April 1915 page 3,020

To be temporary 2Lt: Erwin Wronker Flatow, 5 April 1915

Jewish Chronicle, 30 July 1915 p. 1

Birth on 27 July at ‘The Elms’, Swansea, to Mr and Mrs Walter Hyman ‘Rocklands’ Ossett, a daughter. [Margaret W. Hyman September 1915 Swansea 11a 2173. Mother Levy]

London Gazette 17 September 1915 page 9,293

West Riding Regiment. 2Lt from Reserve Battalion of this regiment to be 2Lt, dated 19 September 1915. Ewin(sic) Wronker Flatow

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 14 March 1917 page 10

Roll of Honour. Lt David Stross RFC killed in the Midlands while flying. Son of Mrs Stross, George Avenue, Leeds. Aged 23. Member of firm of S. Stross and Sons, rag merchants of Dewsbury. A brother is in Salonika and another is a cadet in the Artists’ Rifles. David Stross joined Inns of Court OTC, then commissioned in RFA. Last Xmas transferred to RFC. Leaves widow and little girl.

Jewish Chronicle, 23 March 1917, page 16

Death in action of Lt David Stross, Royal Flying Corps. Mother lives in Leeds. He was aged 24 and was formerly a member of the firm of S. Stross & Sons Ltd, rag merchants, of Dewsbury.

London Gazette 20 July 1917 page 7,475

2Lt E.W. Flatow to be Lt with precedence from 28 November 1916

Jewish Chronicle, 3 August 1917 page 16

Betrothal. Dolly, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Mark Shaffer of Blackpool, to Max Lipsey of Montreal, Canada, and Dewsbury, England.

Yorkshire Evening Post 18 August 1917 page 5

Lt E. W. Flatow, West Riding Regiment, second son of Mr & Mrs J.W. Flatow of Laurelhurst, Dewsbury, has been severely wounded in the left shoulder and is now in hospital abroad. He joined the Leeds University Officers’ Traininbg Corps in November 1914 and was commissioned in April the following year. He has been at the front since November 1915.

Jewish Chronicle, 14 September 1917 page 39

New Year Greetings. Mr and Mrs L. Salinsky, 4 Marsden Terrace, Crackenedge Lane, Dewsbury.

London Gazette 12 March 1918 page 3,266

Territorial Force. From officer cadet units to be 2Lts. West Riding Regiment, Eric Wronker Flatow.

London Gazette 13 December 1918 page 4,553

41725 Cpl Flatow, F. (sic) Dewsbury 11 Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, awarded the Military Medal.

Jewish Chronicle, 7 June 1918 page 1

Forthcoming marriage on June 19 at Belgrave Street Synagogue of Elsie, daughter of Mr and Mrs Henry Isaacs of Leeds to Sol Hurwitz, Dewsbury. [Marriage. Solomon R. Hurwitz June 1918 Leeds 9b 781//Elsie Isaacs]

Yorkshire Evening Post 2 September 1918 page 3

2Lt Eric W. Flatow West Riding Regiment wounded by gun-shot in right arm.

Jewish Chronicle, 16 May 1919 page 1.

Birth of daughter on 30 April at ‘Lynewood’, Park Road, Dewsbury, to Mr and Mrs Sol Hurwitz, nee Elsie Isaacs. [Birth. Joan R. Hurwitz June 1919 Dewsbury 9b 710]

Jewish Chronicle, 24 October 1919 page 1

Birth on 20 October at ‘Gedham’. Ossett, to Mr and Mrs Walter Hyman, a daughter. [Shirley R. Hyman, December 1919 Dewsbury 9b 1123. Mother Levy]

London Gazette 13 April 1920 page 4,420

4 Battalion West Riding Regiment. 2Lt E. W. Flatow to be Lt 27 August 1919

Jewish Chronicle, 25 June 1920 page 31

Mr Harry Ark MSc, Member Institute of Metals, Head of Chemical Dept. Technical College, Dewsbury, has been appointed to the Headship of the Chemical Department at the Technical Institute, Coventry.

Leeds Mercury 7 December 1920 page 7

‘Dealings of Two Jewish firms’ Isaac Goldsobel of 103 North Road, Leeds, cloth merchant, brought action for slander against Jack Stross, managing director of S. Stross and Sons Ltd, rag merchants of Leeds and Dewsbury. Plaintiff did business with defendant but fell out over prices charged by defendant. Plaintiff intended to borrow money from a man named Gordon but Stross advised Gordon that Goldsobel had been bankrupt 3 or 4 times and was ‘a bankrupt, a rotter, and a rank outsider’. Jury awarded verdict for plaintiff £1,000 and damages. Note. Jack Stross’s addresses were Scout Hill Mills, Dewsbury, and 18 Russell Street, Leeds.

Jewish Chronicle, 10 December 1920 page 28

Dewsbury. Marriage in the Mayor’s Reception Room in the Town Hall. Of Mr A. Woodman of Manchester to Miss Rose Salinsky, daughter of Mr and Mrs L. Salinsky. Groom served with American Army in France during the war. The bride is a teacher at the Purwell Boys’ School, Batley. The staff presented her with and oak and silver biscuit box. The Mayor and Mayoress were among the guests. [Marriage. Abraham Woodman Leeds 9b 1086//Rose Salinsky]

London Gazette 6 May 1921 page 3,733

To be temporary 2Lt 15 April 1921. E. Flatow KOYLI [see 6 September 1921]

London Gazette 6 September 1921 page 7,114

The name is 2Lt E.W. Flatow and not as in Gazette 6 May 1921.

Jewish Chronicle, 13 January 1922 page 29
 
Leeds. Rabbi M. Abrahams’ Memorial Library. ‘The gift of a set of the Jewish Encyclopedia (by Mr. S. Krakauer, of Dewsbury) was reported’. [There was a Solomon Krakauer in Barnsley]

Yorkshire Evening Post 25 March 1922 page 8

William Kalinsky, West Park Street, was find £10 and to pay expenses and arrears at Dewsbury for failing to pay National Health Insurance contributions in respect of a domestic servant. The girl had been attended by Mrs Kalinsky’s doctor and paid for by Mrs Kalinsky. The NHI contributions ceased. Defence argued that there was no intention to avoid the obligation.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 29 June 1922 page 1

Dewsbury Grammar School Sports. 100 yards Old Boys’ Race. Includes Kalinsky [presumably Arthur]

Jewish Chronicle, 14 July 1922, page 26

‘DEWSBURY.