Extract from papers on
Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain

Papers prepared by Dr. (later Prof.) Aubrey Newman for a conference at University College, London, convened on 6 July 1975 by the Jewish Historical Society of England
(Reproduced here with Prof. Newman's kind consent)

Paper first published on JCR-UK: 6 October 2016
Latest revision: 10 October 2016

LEEDS - Introductory Data

A.    There were Jews living in Leeds in the middle of the 18th century, and there was a shochet licenced by the Chief Rabbi in 1823. A cemetary was founded in 1840, and services were held in a room in Bridge Street. There was a transfer to a synagogue in Back Rockingham Street in 1845. There were then 6 Ba'ale Batim. In 1851 there were 50 appropriated seats, 17 individual members, and 35 attenders on Census Sabbath. In 1852 there were 18 members. [Primarily from The Rise of Provincial Jewry (1950), by Cecil Roth]

1874  [extracted from The Jewish Directory for 1874, by Asher I. Myers]

Synagogue founded (about) 1840. Has seat accommodation for about 320 persons - 200 gentlemen, 120 ladies. Seat rental from £1.1s.. to £5.5s. per annum.

N.B. There are no Jewish public schools in Leeds.

Society for the Relief of the Sick (Founded 1872).

Ladies' Lying-in Society. For assisting Poor Married Women during their confinement. Founded 1872.

"Social Union" Benefit Society. Founded 1854.

1901 [Jewish Year Book]

Jewish Population 12,000. 1900 - 137 marriages, 162 deaths

Old Hebrew Congregation Society, Great Synagogue, Belgrave Street (Founded 1846). The number of seat-holders is 300.

[Synagogue], St. John's Place, New Briggate (Founded 1876).

(New) Central Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash, Templar Street. (Founded 1885.) Present building opened 4th September 1898. Seatholders 230.

Byron Street (Polish) (Founded 1893.) Seatholders 95.

Jewish Board of Guardians, Belgrave Street (Founded 1878). Object, Relief of Resident and Casual Poor. Income, 1900 £718.16s.11d. Expenditure, £698.7s.11½d. In 1900 the resident cases relieved were 159 (615 individuals) and casuals 296 (317 individuals). Casuals are relieved at any time, but those seeking weekly relief must have been resident in Leeds for six months before application... Administration by Executive Committee elected by subscribers.

Jewish Ladies' Benevolent Society (founded 1874). Object, the relief of females during confinement. The income averages from £80 to £100 per annum. The number of persons relieved during 1896 was 116. In each case a grant of 10/- is made. A committee investigates the case and all deserving are relieved.

Chevra Kadisha Burial Society (Founded 1895). To profer the last solemn rites to the dead, to assist the necessitous during the week of mourning, and to keep the cemetary in order. Income, 1900 £21.25.9d., expenditure £20.13s.

Hebrew Schools, Gower-Street Board School, Leylands (Founded 1888). Number of children 273 (213 girls, 60 boys).

Jews' Free School (Talmud Torah) Bridge Street (Founded 1876). This is a boys' school and numbers 210 scholars.

Jewish Young Men's Association.

Hebrew Literary Society.

Bikur Cholim, 5 and 7 Templar Street (Founded 1876). Object, relief of the sick poor. Income and expenditure, £250 per annum.

Hachnasath Orechim, 5 and 7 Templar Street (founded 1890). Object, to provide poor strangers with shelter. Income and expenditure, £60 per annum.

Sick Charity Society. Object, Relief of sick poor, including medical attendance, surgical appliances, etc. Income and expenditure, £250.

Board of Deputies returns

Continuations -
General Factors Affecting the Rise and Integration of the Jewish Minority in Leeds, 1860-1901 by Rosalind O'Brien

A Sketch of Leeds Jewry in the 19th Century by A. S. Diamond

 Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain - List of Contents

Leeds Jewish Community home page

 
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