JCR-UK

the former

Letchworth Jewish Community

and Hebrew Congregation

North Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire

 

 

    


JCR-UK is a genealogical and historical website covering all Jewish communities and
congregations throughout the British Isles and Gibraltar, both past and present.

The Town of Letchworth

Letchworth, officially called Letchworth Garden City, is a town in Hertfordshire in southeast England. It was founded as a new town in 1903, and is considered the world's first Garden City. Letchworth was an urban district until 1974, when it was merged with adjoining areas to form the North Hertfordshire District, a local government district within the county of Hertfordshire. The population of the town is approximately 33,000.

The Letchworth Jewish Community

Although there are records of Jews taking up residence in Letchworth during World War I, at the time no formal community appears to have been established. The formal Jewish community in Letchworth dates from 1939 and it was almost unique among those communities formed during World War II by Jewish families relocating from heavily populated areas to escape the German air raids, in that the community was almost exclusively orthodox. The Letchworth Jewish community had the infrastructure that normally accompanied much larger communities, such as a kosher butcher, mikva, Talmud Torah, yeshiva, etc. There was also a number of smaller neighbouring evacuee communities, including Hitchin (the location of the local hospital, in which many of the children of members of the Letchworth community were born) and Biggleswade and Shefford, that could be considered to have been part of the greater Letchworth community.

According to Yanky Fachler in Jewish Letchworth - A Microcosm of the Jewish Communal Experience(ii) (which we refer to here as "Yanky Fachler") the evolution of the Letchworth Jewish community can be divided into three distinct periods. The first period covers the establishment of the community at the beginning of World War II and ending with the return of the bulk of the evacuees to London in 1945 following the cessation of hostilities; the second period covers the interval to 1958 when the centres of gravity was spread between two localities, primarily in Hallmead and Sollershott East; and the final period, with the remnants of the community centred in Sollershott East, ended with the demise of the community in 1972.(iii)

Congregation Data

Name:

Letchworth Hebrew Congregation

Hebrew Name:

Kahal Adass Yeshurun, adopted 1944(iv)

Formation:

There are records of Jews settling in Letchworth during World War I, although no formal congregation appears to have been established.(v)

The origins of the community lay with Abba Bornstein, a real property developer and a prominent member of Hapoel Hamizrachi, who in in 1939 built two parallel rows of streets, Hallmead and Mullway, in a working-class area of Letchworth. Known as the Aborn Estate, the development consisted of about 300 small terraced houses, many of which were still unoccupied at the outbreak of the war. Word spread fast among Bornstein's friends and associates and, with the need to escape the London Blitz, a wave of, mostly Orthodox, Jews, primarily the East End and Stamford Hill, evacuated London to Letchworth, initially to take up residence on the Aborn Estate.(viii)

Although regular services were held, concurrently in at least three separate locations,(ix) and there was extensive communal and educational activities from 1939,(x) the Hebrew Congregation was not formally constituted until 10 November 1940, when general meeting was held at the Howard Hall.(xi)

Following a schism which developed in the community in 1941 (see Rival Congregation below), the congregation was reconstituted in February 1944 when the two congregations were reunited, maintaining the name Letchworth Hebrew Congregation, but with the adoption of an alternative Hebrew name, Kahal Adass Yeshurun.(xii)

Addresses and Places of Worship:

Almost from the birth of the community,(xv) services were held concurrantly at different synagogues or other places of worship, all of which remained part of the Letchworth Hebrew Congregation(xvi) (apart from the short-lived Yeshurun  congregation - see below), although Rabbi Sassoon's Sephardi minyan would operate independently until 1957, see below. 

  • 40 Hallmead,(xvii) Aborn Estate, Letchworth. This coulld be considered the principal synagogue of the congregation, in use from 1939(xviii) until 1958.(xix) It was later expanded to include 38 Hallmead, and later also housed the Letchworth Yeshiva(xxii) (see below).

  • Howard Hall (or the adjoining Girls Club(xxiii)), Norton Way South, Letchworth, probably from at least 1940 until about 1945.(xxiv) The services here have been referred to as "United Synagogue style".(xxv)

  • 51 Bedford Road, Letchworth, in and about 1942.(xxvi)

  • Various addresses in Mullway, Aborn Estate, Letchworth, including 52 Mullway (in and about 1942)(xxix) and 62 Mullway (at least 1945 to about 1949),(xxx) as well as 42 Mullway, which was probably a private home, at which daily services were held in and about 1942.(xxxi)

  • "Chilliswood", The Broadway, Letchworth, probably a private home, at which daily services were held in and about 1942.(xxxii)

  • 22a East Cheap, Letchworth, address in about 1945.(xxxiii)

  • Simmon's Hall, Station Place, Letchworth, from at least 1945 until about 1948,(xxxvi) when it moved to the Scouts Hall, Ichnield Way, Letchworth, functioning there until about 1952.(xxxvii) The community (apart from the Sephardi minyan) would also joined together for the High holidays in Scouts Hall.(xxxviii)

  • 15/17 Sollershott East, Letchworth. This was the home of Rabbi Solomon David Sassoon, which included a small synagogue or beit hamedrash in which separate Sephardi (Baghdadi) services were held daily from 1940 to 1957.(xxxix) In 1957, when the synagogue in Hallmead closed, this became  the sole synagogue of the Hebrew Congregation, following basic Sephardi rites but with allowances to take into account the Askenazi congregants. The service on Sabbath morning would always be followed with kiddush at 37 Sollershott (the home of Eli and Chava Fachler).(xl)

  • After the Sassoon family left in 1970, services were held at the home of Rabbi Yossel Schischa.

Closure:

The community continued to shrink throughout the 1960s and following the departure of the Sassoon and Feuchtwanger families for Israel in 1970, and Fachler family in 1971 it became almost impossible to get a Sabbath minyan, the congregation and community effectively ceased to exist in 1972.(xliii)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox, with separate Sephardi minyan until 1957, when both minyanim combined, and the congregation thereafter following the basic Sephardi (Baghdadi) rites but with allowances to take into account the Askenazi congregants.

Affiliation:

Affiliated to the Federation of Synagogues(xliv)

Communal Rabbis:  (To view a short profile of a rabbi or other religious leader whose name appears in blue - hold the cursor over the name.)

Rabbi Dr Isadore Epstein - from at least 1940 until 1943(xlvii)

Rabbi Joseph Jonah Horowitz - from 1944 until 1950(xlviii)

Rabbi Asher (Oosher) Feuchtwanger - from 1950 until 1970(xlix)

Rabbi Yossel Schischa - from 1970 to 1972(l)

Reader:

Rev. Shloime Stern - reader from about 1951 until about 1955(li)

Rival Congregation:

In September 1941, a split developed in the community. A number of the mainly Yiddish speaking members of the congregation were of the opinion that Rabbi Dr. Epstein, a world famous English language Hebrew scholar, was somehow "too English" and thus not religious enough for them. They formed the breakaway Yeshurun Congregation, which held its first services at Station Place (above Simmons Estate Agents).(liv)

Rabbi Joseph Jonah Horowitz served as rav of the congregation from 1941 until 1944.(lv)

Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson (the Zhlobiner Rav) was the rosh hakohol (roughly equivalent to president) of the congregation from 1941 to 1944.(lvi)

The lay officers were D. Lichtig (chairman), I. Schab (vice chairman), S. Hanstater (treasurer), and Sol Cohen and A. Winegarten (hon. secretaries).(lvii)

The breakaway congregation established its own Talmud Torah and Ladies Guild.(lviii)

Following the return of Rabbi Dr. Epstein to London in late 1943, the break was healed and the two congregations reunited in February 1944 under the name Letchworth Hebrew Congregation, but with an alternative Hebrew name, Kahal Adass Yeshurun.(lix)

Officers:

Presidents

From 1939 - Abba Bornstein(lxiii)

1942 - Rabbi Dr Isadore Epstein(lxiv)

1944-1950 - Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson(lxv)

1960s - Rabbi Solomon David Sassoon(lxvi)

Chairmen

1940 - Rabbi Dr Isadore Epstein(lxix)

1942 - H.M. Lunzer(lxx)

1944 - Yankel Hollander(lxxi)

1945-1946- Abba Bornstein(lxxii)

1946-1951- Yankel Hollander(lxxiii)

 

Treasurers(lxxvi)

1939-1940 - A. Reis

1940-1942 - Kiva Kornbluth(lxxvii)

1945-1946 - H. Grodzinski & S. Hanstater

1946-1947 - Charles Friedman & S. Hanstater

1947-1948 - Charles Friedman & S. Stern

1948-1952 - Sali Bornstein & S. Stern

1952-1956 - Sali Bornstein

1956-1970 - no data

1970-1971 - Eli Fachler

1971-1973 - S.P. Kirsch

Vice Chairmen(lxxvi)

Appointed 1940(lxxx)
    - Sali Borstein, L.M. Lunzer J. Stern

1946-1947 - J. Freudmann

1947-1948 - L. Grahame

1949-1951 - Rabbi Solomon David Sassoon

 

Wardens(lxxvi)

1939-1940 - E. Halevy & M. Persoff

 

Secretaries & Hon. Secretaries(lxxvi)

1939-1940 - N. Redmond

1940-1946 - Joe Richman(lxxxi)

1944-1950 - Dr B. Heineman(lxxxii)

1950-1951 - M.H. Cohen

1951-1959 - Oscar Pressberger

1960-1961 - Walter Gottfried

1961-1963 - Lawrence Hack

The following are known to have served as officers of specific synagogues of the congregation:(lxxxv)

Hallmead Synagogue

Sali Bornstein - Warden 1940-1947(lxxxvi)

N. Dachs - Joint Warden 1946-1949

S. Cohen - Joint Warden 1947-1949

Girls Club / Howard Hall Synagogue

H.M. Lunzer - Warden 1940-1946(lxxxvii) 

62 Mullway Synagogue

J. Stern - appointed 1940(lxxxviii)

S. Stern - Warden 1945-1946

Simmon's Hall Synagogue
(later the Scout Hall) (JYB)

A. Gosschalk - Warden 1945-1946

L. Grahame - Joint Warden 1946-1947

Charles Friedman - Joint Warden 1946-1949

M. Charles Grunbaum - Joint Warden 1948-1949

Joe Richman - Hon. Minister and Lay Reader 1946-1948

Other Rabbinical Figures who lived or evacuated to Letchworth:(xci)

For officers and teaching staff at the Talmud Torah and Letchworth Yeshiva, see below.

 

Dayan Yehezkel Abramsky, head of the London Beth Din

Rabbi Baumgarten, the community's mohel

Rabbi Isidor (Isi) Broch also taught at Talmud Torah

Rabbi Eliezer Dessler, private tutor in Letchworth

Rabbi Norman Kass - private tutor in Letchworth

Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian (Reb Elyah), and his family, including:

Rabbi Leib Gurwicz, his son-in-law

Rabbi Barney Klein, his son in law, also taught at Talmud Torah

Rabbi Benzion Lapian

Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Lopian

Rabbi Simcha Zissel Lopian

Rabbi Leo Munk

Rabbi Nosson Ordman

Rev. Lewis Rosenberg, also taught at Talmud Torah

 

Letchworth children who became rabbis include:

Rabbi Ralph (Refoel) Berisch

Rabbi Chaim Fachler

Rabbi Mordechai Fachler

Rabbi Yossi Fachler

Rabbi Jacob Aryeh Feuchtwanger

Rabbi Avraham Gurwicz

Rabbi Dodi Gurwicz

Rabbi Boruch Hammer

Dayan David Kaplanr

Rabbi Danny Kirsch

Rabbi Jonathan Kirsch

Rabbi Dovid Ordman

Rabbi David Sassoon, also taught at Talmud Torah

Hacham Dr. Isaac (Haki) S.D. Sassoon

Rabbi Moshe Schwah

Membership Data:

Number of Members(xcii)

1940

1941

1941

1942

1946

1948

50

90

150

170

85

75

Cemetery Data:

There is no Jewish Cemetery in Letchworth

See Cemeteries of the Federation of Synagogues

 

Online Articles and Other Material
relating to the Letchworth Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

on Third Party websites

  • Rabbi Yossi Fachler, interviewed by Rabbi Yoni Golker (on Youtube) 2020, which includes a talk about his early life in Letchworth.

 

Other Notable Jewish Connections with Letchworth

  • Efraim Halevy (b. 1934), Israeli intelligence expert and diplomat who served as director of the Mossad (1998-2002) and the head of the Israeli National Security Council (2002-2003), was a evacuee with his family in Letchworth during World War II

  • The Sassoon Library, one of the largest private collection of rare Jewish books and manuscripts, was situated at 15 Sollershott, Letchworth, from 1940, when its owner David Solomon Sassoon (1880-1942) evacuated from London, until 1970, when the Sassoon family moved to Israel and much of the library was auctioned off to pay death duties. The collection included the Sassoon Codex, the most complete copy of the Hebrew bible, which was re-sold at auction in 2023 for $38 million, as well as the famous Farhi bible and other priceless manuscripts.

 

Other Letchworth Jewish Institutions & Organisations

Educational & Theological

  • Talmud Torah - founded in 1939(ci)

    Heads and Teachers at the Talmud Torah:

Rabbi Norman Solomon - headmaster

Reb Nachman

Rabbi Elozor Wahrhaftig

Dr. I. Weinstock

Rabbi M. Bloom - headmaster in 1961

Rev. Harry Leitner - headmaster in the 1960s

Mrs Rand - headmistress

Miss Mimy Portal - headmistress

  • Letchworth Yeshiva - A small yeshiva was established at 38/40 Hallmead in 1951, following the closure of the Staines Yeshiva, which relocated to Letchworth.(cii) It closed in 1957.(ciii)

    Officers and Staff of the Yeshiva:(civ)

President - Rabbi Solomon David Sassoon

Principal - Rabbi Asher (Oosher) Feuchtwanger

Dean - Rabbi Yitzchok (Reb. Itche) Aussenberg

Tutor - Rabbi Simcha Freudiger

Tutor - Rabbi Yankel Benedict

 Alumni of the Letchworth Yeshiva include:(cv)

    Rabbi Benzion Berkovitz

    Rabbi Pinchas (Pinny) Breuer

    Rabbi Sinai Halberstam of the Sanz dynasty

  • Refugee Yeshiva - In 1956, following the Anti-Soviet Hungarian Uprising, a group of 9 young religious Jewish Hungarian refugees were housed in Letchworth in what became a yeshiva. After a relatively short period they were sent on to the United States.(cxxi)

Communal & Religious

  • Mikveh, situated at 2 Cross Street, - consecrated in November 1940.(cxxii)

  • Letchworth Ladies Guild - founded 1939.(cxxiii)

  • Chevra Kaddisha - founded 1940.(cxxiv)

  • Shechita Committee - founded 1940/(cxxv)

Social & Political

  • Jewish Social Society - founded 1942.(cxxviii)

  • Jewish Youth Club - founded by Rabbi Norman Solomon.(cxxix)

  • Mizrachi Society - founded by 1945(cxxx)

  • Agudas Yisrael - founded by 1948(cxxxi)

 

Records:

Registration District (BMD):

Hertfordshire (since 1 April 2008)

  • Previous Registration District:
        Hitchin (from 1 July 1837 to 1 March 1996);
        Hitchin & Stevenage (from 1 March 1996 to 1 April 2008)

  • All records would now be held by current office.

  • Link to Register Office website

 

Letchworth Jewish Population Data

Year

Number

Source

1941

1,500 (est.)

Yanky Fachler, p234

1951

150

The Jewish Year Book 1952

1953

200

The Jewish Year Book 1954

1954

250

The Jewish Year Book 1955

1964

100

The Jewish Year Book 1965

1973

18

The Jewish Year Book 1974

 

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i) Reserved.

  • (ii) Published by Vallentine Mitchell, London and Chicago, 2023. ↵

  • (iii) Yanky Fachler, pp.4/6. ↵

  • (iv) The alternative name was adopted following the reuniting of the congregation in February 1944 after the split in September 1941 (see Rival Congregation). ↵

  • (v) Yanky Fachler, pp.48/49 and article by Eli Fachler. ↵

  • (vi) and (vii) Reserved.

  • (viii) Yanky Fachler, Chapter 2 and article by Eli Fachler. The word "Aborn" is derived from A. Bornstein. ↵

  • (ix) At the first meeting of the synagogue committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940, three individuals were appointed to act as wardens "at their respective synagogues" (Yanky Fachler, p.51). ↵

  • (x) The congregation was already listed in the Jewish Year Book 1940, published at the end of 1939. ↵

  • (xi) Yanky Fachler, p.51. ↵

  • (xii) Yanky Fachler, p.64. ↵

  • (xiii) and (xiv) Reserved.

  • (xv) There were already three synagogues in existence when the congregation was formally established (Yanky Fachler, p.51). ↵

  • (xvi) For example. the Jewish Year Book 1945/46 listed four separate synagogues for the congregation. ↵

  • (xvii) Spelled Hall Mead Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (xviii) Listed as the congregation's address and sole synagogue in the Jewish Year Book 1940. ↵

  • (xix) This was when the Fachler family moved from Hallmead to Sollerposh East, thereafter there were very few Jewish families left in the working-class Hallmead area. The Hallmead synagogue address was last listed in the Jewish Year Book 1958. ↵

  • (xx) and (xxi) Reserved.

  • (xxii) Yanky Fachler, p.156. ↵

  • (xxiii) The Jewish Year Book 1945/6 refers to one of the congregation's synagogues being at the Girls Club (adjoining Howard Hall), Norton Way South. Elsewhere, in a report issued by the congregation in 1942, Howard Hall is one of the venues where Sabbath and Festival services are held (Yanky Fachler p.58). Strangely, such report does not list 40 Hallmead. ↵

  • (xxiv) At the first meeting of the committee of the congregation in November 1940, H.M Lunzer was one of the three individuals appointed to act as wardens at their respective synagogues (Yanky Fachler, p.51), without identifying the synagogue. As he is listed in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6 as warden of the synagogue at the Girls Club (adjoining Howard Hall), Norton Way South, it is assumed that such synagogue was in use from at least 1940. ↵

  • (xxv) Article by Eli Fachler. ↵

  • (xxvi) In a report issued by the congregation in 1942, 51 Bedford Road is one of the venues where Sabbath and Festival services are held (Yanky Fachler, p.58). It does not appear to be mentioned anywhere else as a place of worship. ↵

  • (xxvii) and (xxviii) Reserved.

  • (xxix) In a report issued by the congregation in 1942, 52 Mullway is one of the venues where Sabbath and Festival services are held (Yanky Fachler, p.58). It does not appear to be mentioned anywhere else. ↵

  • (xxx) In the Jewish Year Book 1945/6, 62 Mullway is listed as one of the congregation's then four synagogues. In the editions 1947 through 1949, it is listed as the main address of the congregation. ↵

  • (xxxi) In the report issued by the congregation in 1942, 42 Mullway is one of the venues where daily services are held (Yanky Fachler, p.58). ↵

  • (xxxii) In the report issued by the congregation in 1942, Chilliswood is another venue where daily services are held (Yanky Fachler, p.58). ↵

  • (xxxiii) 22a Eastcheap is listed as the congregation's address in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6. It is not listed as the address of any of the then four synagogues and it is probable it was just an administrative address. ↵

  • (xxxiv) and (xxxv) Reserved.

  • (xxxvi) Simmon's Hall, Station Place, is listed as one of the congregation's synagogues in Jewish Year Books 1945/6 through 1948. ↵

  • (xxxvii) The article by Eli Fachler refers to a synagogue moving from opposite the railway station to the Scouts Hall. The Scouts Hall is listed as one of the congregation's synagogues in Jewish Year Books 1949 through 1952. ↵

  • (xxxviii) Yanky Fachler, p.74. ↵

  • (xxxix) Yanky Fachler, chapter 8 and p.74. ↵

  • (xl) Yanky Fachler, pp.162/3 and 210. 15/17 Sollershott was listed as the address for daily services in Jewish Year Books 1966 through 1970. ↵

  • (xli) and (xlii) Reserved.

  • (xliii) Yanky Fachler, pp. 6 and 230/4. The last listing in the Jewish Year Book was in the 1973 edition. ↵

  • (xliii) Jewish Year Books from 1948. ↵

  • (xlv) and (xlvi) Reserved.

  • (xlvii) In November 1941, Rabbi Dr. Epstein was formally elected Chairman of the congregation (Yanky Fachler, p.51) and acted as the communal rabbi. On 8 September 1943, Rabbi Dr. Epstein informed the congregation that he would be returning to London after the High Holidays (Yanky Fachler, p. 63). ↵

  • (xlviii) Yanky Fachler, p.64/5, for the appointment and departure of Rabbi Horowitz. He is listed as Rab of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1948 through 1950. ↵

  • (xlix) Yanky Fachler, p.65, for the appointment of Rabbi Feuchtwanger. Yanky Fachler, p.231, for his departure to Israel. He is listed as Rab of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1952 through 1970. ↵

  • (l) Rabbi Schischa, who grew up in Letchworth, was appointed communal rabbi in December 1970 by then treasurer, Eli Fachler, on the departure of Rabbi Feuchtwanger, serving until Spring 1972, when he too left Letchworth and the community ceased to exist - Yanky Fachler, pp.6, 231/2. ↵

  • (li) Rev. Stern was listed as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 195552 through 1955. ↵

  • (lii) and (liii) Reserved.

  • (liv) Yanky Fachler, pp.56/7. ↵

  • (lv) Yanky Fachler, pp.60-64. ↵

  • (lvi) Yanky Fachler, pp.61,64. ↵

  • (lvii) Yanky Fachler, p.60. ↵

  • (lviii) Yanky Fachler, p.60. ↵

  • (lix) Yanky Fachler, pp.63/4. ↵

  • (lx) to (lxii) Reserved.

  • (lxiii) A. Borman is listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1940 and was offered hon. president at the first meeting following the formal establishment of the congregation (Yanky Fachler, p.51). It is uncertain when he ceased holding such office - the Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years between 1940 and 1945. ↵

  • (lxiv) In the report issued by the congregation in 1942, Rabbi Dr. Epstein appears as president (Yanky Fachler, p.59). Elsewhere he is referred to as chairman ↵

  • (lxv) Rabbi Benjaminson (Binyaminson) was appointed president upon the congregation reuniting in February 1944 (Yanky Fachler, p.64). He is listed as president (under the name Rabbi E. Benjaminson(sic)) in Jewish Year Books 1945/6 through 1950 (except for 1948 when there was no listing of president). ↵

  • (lxvi) Yanky Fachler, chapter 17. Presidents of the congregation were not listed in the Jewish Year Book after 1950. ↵

  • (lxvii) and (lxviii) Reserved.

  • (lxiii) Rabbi Dr. Epstein was unanimously elected chairman at the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940 (Yanky Fachler, p.51). However in 1942, he is referred to as president. ↵

  • (lxx) In the report issued by the congregation in 1942, H.M. Lunzer appears as chairman (Yanky Fachler, p.59). ↵

  • (lxxi) Yankel Hollander was the first chairman following the reuniting of the congregation in February 1944 (Yanky Fachler, p.64). ↵

  • (lxxii) A. Bornstein was listed as chairman in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6. ↵

  • (lxxiii) J. (presumably for Jankel) Hollander was listed as chairman in Jewish Year Books 1947 through 1952. Chairmen of the congregation were not listed in the Jewish Year Book after 1952. ↵

  • (lxxiv) and (lxxv) Reserved.

  • (lxxvi) Unless otherwise stated, the lists of Officers (other than Presidents and Chairmen) are based on listings in Jewish Year Books. Where a person is first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it has been assumed that his term of office commenced in the year of publication of the relevant year book and that he continued in office until the commencement of office of his successor, unless the office was vacant. Year books were published according to the Gregorian year, being published generally towards the end of the year prior to the year appearing in the title of the year book. For example, if an officer is listed in Jewish Year Books 1949 through 1951, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1948 and continued in office until 1951. However, it should be noted that this is only an assumption and, accordingly, his actual years of office may differ somewhat from those shown here. Jewish Year Books were not published during World War II subsequent to 1940, until the edition for 1945/6. Generally Jewish Year Book listings of officers after 1956 was only one contact per congregation (generally the secretary or treasurer). ↵

  • (lxxvii) K. Kornbluth was elected treasurer at the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940 (Yanky Fachler, p.51) and in the report issued by the congregation in 1942, he was still referred to as treasurer (Yanky Fachler, p.59). ↵

  • (lxxviii) and (lxxix) Reserved.

  • (lxxx) These three vice chairmen were elected at the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940, each of whom would act as wardens of their respective synagogue (Yanky Fachler, p.51). However the actual synagogues were not specified. ↵

  • (lxxxi) J. Richman was appointed hon. secretary at the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940 (Yanky Fachler, p.51); in the report issued by the congregation in 1942, he was referred to as hon. secretary (Yanky Fachler, p.59); and was still listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1945/6. However, in the same year book, Dr. B. Heineman was listed as secretary. ↵

  • (lxxxii) Dr. B. Heineman was the first secretary following the reuniting of the congregation in February 1944 (Yanky Fachler, p.64) and was still listed as "secretary" of the congregation in Jewish Year Book 1945/6 through 1950. However, in the edition for 1945/6, J. Richman was listed as "hon. secretary". accordingly it appears that from 1944 until about 1946, the congregation had both a secretary and an hon. secretary. Eli Fachler in his article refers to him a Rabbi Heineman, but no source has yet been found to support this ↵

  • (lxxxiii) and (lxxxiv) Reserved.

  • (lxxxv) Unless otherwise stated, all information based upon listings in Jewish Year Books ↵

  • (lxxxvi) At the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940, Sali Bornstein was appointed one of the three vice-chairman, each of whom would act as warden at their respective synagogue (Yanky Fachler, p.51), although such synagogues are not identified. However, later Jewish Year Books list A. Bornstein as warden of the 40 Hallmead synagogue. ↵

  • (lxxxvii) At the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940, H.M. Lunzer was appointed one of the three vice-chairman, each of whom would act as warden at their respective synagogue (Yanky Fachler, p.51), although such synagogues are not identified. However, the Jewish Year Book 1945/6 list A. Bornstein as warden of the synagogue at the Girls Club, adjoining Howard Hall. ↵

  • (lxxxviii) At the first meeting of the committee following the formal establishment of the congregation in November 1940, J. Stern was appointed one of the three vice-chairman, each of whom would act as warden at their respective synagogue (Yanky Fachler, p.51), although such synagogues are not identified. J. Stern is not listed as warden of any later Jewish Year Books. However, the Jewish Year Book 1945/6 S. Stern was listed as warden of the synagogue at 62 Mullway and it is presumed that this was the synagogue at which J. Stern served. ↵

  • (lxxxix) and (xc) Reserved.

  • (xci) Primarily from Yanky Fachler, pp.27, 154 and 168. ↵

  • (xcii) Yanky Fachler, pp.54 and 59. ↵

  • (xciii) to (c) Reserved.

  • (ci) Yanky Fachler, pp.54 and 154. ↵

  • (cii) Yanky Fachler, p.156. ↵

  • (ciii) Yanky Fachler, p.157. ↵

  • (civ) Yanky Fachler, p.156. ↵

  • (cv) Yanky Fachler, p.168. ↵

  • (cvi) to (cxx) Reserved.

  • (cxxi) Yanky Fachler, p.131/2. ↵

  • (cxxii) Jewish Year Books and Yanky Fachler, p.52. ↵

  • (cxxiii) Listed in Jewish Year Books from 1940 to 1949. ↵

  • (cxxiv) Yanky Fachler, p.52. ↵

  • (cxxv) Yanky Fachler, p.52. ↵

  • (cxxvi) and (cxxvii) Reserved.

  • (cxxviii) Yanky Fachler, p.58. ↵

  • (cxxix) Yanky Fachler, p.161. ↵

  • (cxxx) Listed in Jewish Year Books 1945/6 through 1952. ↵

  • (cxxxi) Listed in Jewish Year Books 1949 through 1952. ↵

World War II Evacuee Communities

Jewish Congregations in Hertfordshire

Jewish Communities of England homepage


Page created: 2 February 2006
All Letchworth pages consolidation: 22 August 2023
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 23 August 2023
Page most recently amended: 10 September 2023

Research and formatting by David Shulman

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