Kettering United Synagogue Membership Group

Name:

Kettering United Synagogue Membership Group

Address:

From 1943 services were held at the USF club in Kettering.

Previously and from May 1941 services were held at the Boot Union Hall, Club Street, Kettering described as "more commodious" than previous premises used.

Formation:

In October 1940 a meeting of Jewish evacuees and residents decided to form the first ever Hebrew congregation in the town and to arrange the supply of kosher meat. The Rev. Ephraim F. Einhorn, then resident in nearby Northampton, presided.^(iv)

In 1943 the community apparently needed reviving after a fall off in membership and activities.^(v)

Activities:

The supply of kosher meat was a concern for the community. Local non-kosher butchers refused to sell kosher meat and were supported by the local Food Control Committee. The community had to appeal to the Government for assistance.
Another key concern was the education of evacuee children who were billeted in Kettering and over a wide area in outlying villages. Rev. Wurman discovered that in the village of Thrapston (some 12 miles east of Kettering) there were 15 Jewish children who were being sent to church and Christian Sunday schools. He set up Hebrew classes there, at Burton Latimer, Rothwell and elsewhere. Over 100 children were estimated to have been billeted in Kettering itself and about half were aged under nine. By 1941 an average of 35 children were attending the Hebrew and religious classes in Kettering.

Date Closed:

Closed in or about 1945.^(viii)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

In March 1941 the fledgling congregation came within the growing United Synagogue Members Group scheme.^(ix)

Ministers:

Rev. Ephraim F. Einhorn - from October 1940 until October 1941^(xii)

Rev. I. Wuman - from October 1941 until 1942 or 1943^(xiii)

Rev. W. Neier - from 1942 or 1943 until 1945^(xiv)

Lay Officers:

1940^(xvii)

Chairman: M. Goldberg

Vice-Chairman: J. Lee

Treasurer: A. Rapber

Other Committee Members:

R. Silvermann and Salamon Bronstein

1943-1945

February 1943^(xviii)

Chairman: - A. P. Segalov

July 1943^(xix)

Wardens: - A. P. Segalov & S. Bronstein

Financial Representative: - L. Norman

1945^(xx)

Wardens: - A. P. Segalov & S. M. Sank

Financial Representative: - L. Norman

Registration District (BMDs):

North Northamptonshire, since 1 April 2021.^(xxiii) - Register Office Website

Notes & Sources
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