Middlesbrough

prepared by L. Olsover

In 1832 Middlesbrough was a new town consisting of a single farm house; its prosperity came with the development of the heavy industries and with the consequent growth of its port. Within 30 years Jews lived there in sufficient numbers to hold improvised services first in a room over a stable and later in a larger room over a boot and shoe warehouse not far from the docks. There were reputedly no Jews in the town until 1862 when a Maurice Levy came, followed by his son-in-law Isaac Alston. The Middlesbrough Weekly News and Cleveland Advertiser reported on 6 October 1865: 'Arrangements have just been completed and premises secured in Lower East Street for the holding of worship according to the Mosaic ritual to meet the needs of a large number of Jews in the town.' During the next ten years various expansions were necessary and eventually a site was purchased in Brentnall Street for £370 for a larger permanent synagogue. The building was officially opened by the Chief Rabbi in 1874.

Until 1885 there was no cemetery in Middlesbrough and funerals had to take place at Hartlepool.

(Note: See also, the chapter on Middlesbrough from L. Olsover's 1980 publication "The Jewish Communities of North-East England".)