the former

Newport Jewish Community

and Hebrew Congregation

Newport, South Wales

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

City of Newport

Newport (in Welsh: Casnewydd) is the third largest city in Wales, with a population of nearly 140,000, and was only granted city status in 2001. It lies on the northern shore of the Bristol Channel at the mouth of the river Usk in South East Wales, about 23 miles north-east of Cardiff.

Until 1974, Newport formed the county borough of Newport in the county of Monmouthshire (which in many instances was considered part of England and not Wales). From 1974 until 1996, it was part of the district of Newport in the new county of Gwent. In 1996, Gwent was abolished as an administrative county, and the whole district became the county borough of Newport - a unitary authority (within the ceremonial, or preserved, county of Gwent).

The Jewish Community

The Newport Jewish community dates back to at least the 1850s, when a Jewish congregation (not necessarily the first) was established and a burial plot acquired. The Jewish community reached its zenith between the two World Wars, after which numbers began to decline, until the closure of the synagogue in about 2006.

Congregation Data

Name:

Newport Synagogue or Newport Hebrew Congregation

Formation:

The congregation was formed on 6 March 1859.⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

Addresses:

1859 to 1865

The congregation held services in members' homes but may also have met in Llanarth Street, Newport.

1865 to 1871

Llanarth Street, Newport, was the site of a new synagogue of a reunited congregation, described as "a temporary room" in a leased facility,⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾ opened on 1 January 1865 by the Rev. Louis Harfeld.^(iv) It is unclear whether the premises had also been used previously by the congregation. It remained in use until 1871.

1871 to 1934

Francis Street (on the corner with Lewis Street), Newport, a purpose-built Romanesque-style synagogue (with a minister's house), designed by architect B. Lawrence.^(v) The plot was acquired in 1869^(vi) and the foundation stone of synagogue was laid on 3 May 1870 by Messrs Rittenberg, Jacob Druiff and Abraham Isaacs^(vii)

The synagogue was opened and consecrated on 22 March 1871 by Rev Dr Hermann Adler^(x) and consisted of a building with two wings, the right wing contained the synagogue proper, 37 feet long by 22 feet wide, with accommodation for about 100 men on ground floor and a ladies' gallery above and the left wing comprised the minister's house.^(xi) It served the community until 1934 and was demolished in 1973.^(xii)

1934 to 1997

3 Queens Hill Crescent, Newport NP9 5HH. These premises were originally the congregation's Nathan Harris Memorial (social) Hall and Hebrew School, built in 1922.^(xiii) When it became clear that the congregation could no longer afford to maintain two buildings, architect James A Lawrence was commissioned to remodel the building to include the congregation's synagogue on the upper floor.^(xiv) The works were completed on 7 May 1934 and the building was consecrated by Chief Rabbi Hertz.^(xvi) It remained in use for some 63 years, until a service was held, on 20 July 1997, for the closure of the synagogue.^(xvii) It was subsequently sold and became a private children's day nursery.^(xviii)

1997 to 2007

445 St. Marks Crescent, Risca Road, Newport NP20 4HY, which was the original ohel at the community's Jewish cemetery, rebuilt in 1927/8 and dedicate to Emmanuel and Prescilla Jacobs. The very much dwindled congregation used this as its synagogue following the sale of the Queens Hill Crescent building in 1997.The building was later extended and a kitchen added, such works being completed in 2003 and consecrated in 2004.^(xix)

Current Status:

After years of declining numbers, the congregation appears to have ceased holding regular services in about 2007,^(xx) although it remained an existing entity, as a registered charity (see below), with continuing responsibility for, inter alia, ownership and maintenance of the congregation's cemetery.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

The congregation was an unaffiliated congregation under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Rival Congregation:

Prior to 1865, when the congregation was reunited, the community was divided with at least one rival congregations.^(xxi)

Ministers: (To view a short profile of a minister - hold the cursor over the name.)

Rev. Abraham Harfeld - reader/shochet from 1860 until about 1862.^(xxv)

Rev. Lewis Harfeld - reader/shochet from 1865 until about 1867^(xxvi)

Rev. Roger Goldreich - minister from at least 1871 until 1874.^(xxvii)

Rev. Nathan Jacobs - active member, resident in Newport from 1872 until 1879.^(xxviii)

Rev. Bernard Ginzburg - minister from 1875 until about 1885.^(xxix)o

Rev. Dr. Moses Berlin - minister from 1885 until about 1895.^(xxxii)

Rev. Zacharia Lawrence - minister from 1896 until 1897.^(xxxiii)

Rev. Simon Fyne - minister in and about 1898.^(xxxiv)

Rev. Jacob Barnett Levy - reader from at least 1898 until 1901.^(xxxv)

Rev. Benjamin Nathan Michelson - minister from 1898 until 1902.^(xxxvi)

Rev. Maurice David Hershman - minister from 1902 until 1910.^(xxxix)

Alexander Hyams, BA - preacher and headmaster from 1905 until 1945.^(xl)

Rev. Abraham Snadow - minister from 1910 until 1964, and thereafter emeritus minister.^(xli)

Rev. Maurice Myerowitz - preacher from about 1946 until 1949.^(xlii)

Rabbi Reuben Fisher - reader from 1964 until 1974.^(xliii)

Rev. David Braunold - reader from about 1975 until about 1980.^(xliv)

Officers and Committee in 1874:^(xlvii)

President: M. Manoy; Treasurer: L. Freedman; Hon. Secretary: A. King

Registrar for Marriages: A.J. Jacobs; Committee: A.J. Jacobs and J. Cauffman

Lay Officers:

Unless otherwise stated, all data on lay officers has been extracted from listings in Jewish Year Book, first published 1896/7.^(xlviii)

Presidents

elected 1859 - A. Isaacs^(xlix)

1865-1867 - Morris Goldstein^(l)

1869-1871 - A. Isaacs^(xlix)

elected 1871 - Joseph Isaacs^(li)

1874 - M. Manoy^(lii)

1896-1897 - L.S.. Abrahamson

1897-1898 - P. Freedman

1898-1899 - L.S. Abrahamson

1899-1900 - E. Jacobs

1900-1902 - J. Myers

1902-1905 - L.S. Abrahamson

1905-1908 - S. Jacobs

1908-1909 - Z. Jacobs

1909-1911 - L. Jacobs

1911-1914 - M.E. Jacobs

1914-1918 - Henry Phillips

1918-1922 - Samuel Jacobs

1922-1925 - L. Kay

1925-1927 - Leslie Jacobs

1927-1928 - H.D. Phillips

1928-1931 - S. Jacobs

1931-1932 - H.D. Phillips

1932-1935 - P. Fligelstone

1935-1936 - Ivor Jacobs

1936-1937 - H.D. Phillips

1937-1940 - P. Fligelstone

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - S.M. Love

1946-1947 - P. Fligelstone

1947-1949 - Capel Jacklyn

1949-1951 - L. Rubin

1951-1953 - P. Caller

1953-1954 - H. Phillips

1954-1956 - P. Caller

1956-1974 - no data

1974-1985 - E.E. Nathan

1985-1991 - H. Joseph

1991-1994 - P. Fligelstone, JP

Chairmen

1994-2003 - Israel Rocker

from 2003 - A. Davidson

Wardens

1925-1927 - H.D. Phillips

1927-1929 - A. Jacobs

1929-1930 - H. Phillips

1930-1932 - P. Fligelstone

1932-1934 - H. Jacklyn

1934-1935 - Ivor Jacobs

Treasurers

about 1869 - A. Druiff^(liv)

elected 1871 - M. Manoy^(lv)

1874 - L. Freedman^(lii)

1898-1900 - J. Myers

1900-1905 - S. Jacobs

1905-1908 - E.M. Jacobs

1908-1911 - L.S. Abrahamson

1911-1914 - Samuel Jacobs

1914-1915 - J. Tanchan

1915-1917 - Leslie Jacobs

1917-1918 - S.D. Bloom

1918-1921 - L.S. Abrahamson

1921-1922 - L. Kay

1922-1925 - L. Burman

1925-1932 - L. Goldstein

1932-1935 - G. Levinson

1935-1940 - B. Phillips

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1947 - A.J. Jacobs

1947-1949 - H. Phillips

1949-1956 - G.B. Elliot

from 1956 - no data

Secretaries and Hon. Secretaries
(from 1896)

1896-1899 - E. Jacobs

1899-1900 - S. Jacobs

1900-1906 - L. Jacobs

1906-1911 - H. Phillips

1911-1934 - Lionel L. Harris

1934-1938 - Henry E. Jacobs

1938-1940 - Capel Jacklyn

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - L. Rubin

1946-1947 - Capel Jacklyn

1947-1951 - D. Morris

1951-1960 - F.D. Phillips

1960-1962 - P.M. Figelstone

1962-1972 - L. Stone

1972-1985 - H. Goodman

1985-1994 - Harry Poloway

1994-1995 - Mrs. M. Sarano

Membership Data:

Number of Seatholders - Board of Deputies Returns

1869

1880

1890

1900

25

33

29

15

Number of Seatholders - as reported by Jewish Year Books

1896

1904

1912

1938

1946

1948

43

48

40

47

85

75

Reports & Survey^(lvi)

1977 - 54 male (or household) members and 20 female members

1983 - 50 male (or household) members and 7 female members

1990 - 44 members (comprising 21 households, 8 individual male and 15 individual female members)

1996 - 67 members (comprising 38 households, 11 individual male and 18 individual female members)

2010 & 2016 - listed as having under 50 members (by household)

Charitable Status:

The congregation, as Newport Hebrew Synagogue, remains a registered charity (no. 1078176), registered on 11 November 1999 (standard registration).^(lvii)

Registration District:

Newport, since 1 July 1837 - Register Office website

Worship Registration:

The synagogue in Risca Road was registered as a Place of Worship - Worship Register Number 79766 - under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855.^(lviii)

Online Articles and Other Material
relating to the Newport Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain - Papers for a conference at University College, London, convened by the Jewish Historical Society of England, prepared by Aubrey Newman - 6th July 1975.
- Paper on Newport.
Press Reports relating to the Newport Jewish Community 1849 - 1872, extracted by Harold Pollins.

on Third Party Websites

History of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, Newport, 2004 on the People's Collection, Wales website.

Notable Jewish Connections with Newport

Simon Rocker, journalist at The Jewish Chronicle since 1985, and editor of its Judaism page, grew up in Newport.
Frank Soskice, Baron Stow Hill, PC, QC (1902-1979), lawyer and Labour Party politician, was MP for Newport 1956-66, having previously represented constituencies in Birkenhead and Sheffield. As MP for Newport he was Home Secretary (1964-65). He was the son of a Russian Jewish revolutionary journalist. Stow Hill is located in Newport.

The original Ohel at the Newport Cemetery
used as the congregation's synagogue from 1997

NEWPORT JEWISH CEMETERY

Newport had its own Jewish cemetery, Newport Jewish Burial Ground, Risca Road, Sowe Hill, Newport, NP20 4HY, which is still in use. The cemetery comprises two adjacent plots:

The original plot at what ws then the St. Woolos cemetery, was offered by Sir Charles Morgan, Lord Tredegar, in 1859, although the deed of conveyance took place on 22 May 1860 and the first burial took place in 1861. Following the closure of the congregation's synagogue at Queens Hill Crescent in about 1999, the original ohel at the cemetery (a whitewashed hexagonal Building) was used as the congregation's synagogue until about 2006.^(lxx)
The second plot was acquired in 1946. This contains the modern ohel.^(lxxi)

For enquiries, contact Cardiff Chevra Kadisha.
(For some additional information, also see IAJGS Cemeteries Project - Newport.)

Other Newport Jewish Institutions & Organisations

Educational & Theological

Hebrew & Religious Classes (later Hebrew School and Institute) - founded 1870^(lxxii)
In 1922 the congregation built the Nathan Harris Memorial Hall at 3 Queens Hill Crescent, Newport, as both a social space and the Hebrew school, separate from the synagogue. However, within about a decade it became clear that the congregation could no longer afford to maintain two buildings. Accordingly, in 1934 the Hall was remodelled to include the synagogue on the upper floor and the original synagogue was sold. The building remained in use until sold in 1997. (For further details, see above.)
Number of Pupils:^(lxxiii)

1898 1899 1900 1902 1906 1908 1911 1913 1917 1918 1922 1923

40* 38* 35 30 40 50 150 50 70 100 30 80

*1898 - 22 boys and 18 girls; 1899 - 20 boys and 18 girls.

Welfare Institutions and Friendly Societies

Benevolent and Loan Society, founded in 1873.^(lxxv)
Jewish Board of Guardians, founded by 1899.^(lxxvi)
Orphan Aid Society branch (originally Naveh Tzedek), founded by 1899^(lxxvii)
Chevra Kadisha, which would have been formed with the acquisition of the cemetery and Bikur Cholim.^(lxxviii)
Order Achai Brith and Shield of Abraham - A.J. Jacob Lodge No. 22, founded by 1903.^(lxxix)
Newport Ladies Lodge No. 27, founded by 1931.^(lxxx)

Social & Cultural Organisations

Branch of Anglo-Jewish Association, founded by 1899.^(lxxxiii)
Jewish Literary & Social Society, founded by 1900.^(lxxxiv)
Jewish Dramatic and Operatic Society, founded by 1903,^(lxxxv) later the Jewish Athletic and Social Society.
Young People's Association, founded by 1918.^(lxxxvi)
Newport Jewish Social Club, founded by 1935.^(lxxxvii)

Israel and Zionist Institutions

Chovevei Zion, Tent 21, founded by 1900.^(xc)
Senior Zionist League and Junior Zionist League, both founded by 1918.^(xci)
Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded by 1948.^(xcii)

Newport Jewish Population Data
Year	Number	Source

1902	120	The Jewish Year Book 1902/3
1905	130	The Jewish Year Book 1905/6
1908	200	The Jewish Year Book 1909
1911	250	The Jewish Year Book 1912
1945	180	The Jewish Year Book 1945/6
1966	100	The Jewish Year Book 1967
1984	60	The Jewish Year Book 1985
1985	50	The Jewish Year Book 1986
1986	60	The Jewish Year Book 1987
1989	110	The Jewish Year Book 1990
1991	110	The Jewish Year Book 1992
1994	10	The Jewish Year Book 1995
2001	87	Census 2001 for England and Wales
1994	9	Census 2011 for England and Wales
2021	95	Census 2021 for England and Wales

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

(i) Reserved.
(ii) History of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, Newport, 2004, on the People's Collection, Wales website ("the 2004 History"), p.1. The Jewish Chronicle of 15 April 1859 reported that members of the congregation had lately established a new synagogue. ↵
(iii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 4 June 1869. ↵
(iv) The Jewish Chronicle report of 27 January 1865. ↵
(v) The Jewish Chronicle report of 29 April 1870. To view additional information (if any) about the architect, hold your cursor over his name. ↵
(vi) The Jewish Chronicle report of 4 June 1869. ↵
(vii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 29 April 1870. ↵
(viii) and (ix) Reserved.
(x) The Jewish Chronicle report of 24 March 1871. The 2004 History, p.2, erroneously refers to 1869 as the year the Francis Street synagogue was opened. ↵
(xi) The Jewish Chronicle report of 29 April 1870. ↵
(xii) Sharman Kadish's Jewish Heritage in Britain and Ireland ("Kadish's Heritage"), p.256. The Francis Street address was listed in Jewish Year Books until 1934. ↵
(xiii) The 2004 History, p.4. ↵
(xiv) Kadish's Heritage, p.256 and The 2004 History, p.6. ↵
(xv) Reserved.
(xvi) The 2004 History, p.4. ↵
(xvii) See The Jewish Chronicle article of 26 July 1997, and background (by People's Collection, Wales), regarding the closure of the synagogue. ↵
(xviii) Kadish's Heritage, p.256. ↵
(xviii) The 2004 History, pp.5/7, and Kadish's Heritage, p.256. ↵
(xx) Jewish Year Books from 2009 stated that the synagogue had now closed. ↵
(xxi) The Jewish Chronicle report of 27 January 1865. ↵
(xxii) to (xxiv) Reserved.
(xxv) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 27 July 1860 and 11 July 1862. In addition, The Jewish Chronicle of 24 January 1862 reported Rev. A. Harfeld officiating at the wedding of his daughter in Newport, assisted by his son, Rev. L. Harfeld. ↵
(xxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 27 January 1865 and 1 November 1867 reported Rev. L. Harfeld in Newport. ↵
(xxvii) The Jewish Chronicle of 14 July 1871 and The Jewish Directory for 1874, edited Asher I. Myers, list Rev Goldreich as minister. ↵
(xxviii) "The Rev Nathan Jacobs in Wales and the West" by Reva Hill - Shemot June 2004, p.12. ↵
(xxix) Jewish Chronicle reports and Michael Jolles's Encyclopaedia of British Jewish Cantors, etc. ("Jolles's Encyclopaedia"), p.497. ↵
(xxx) and (xxxi) Reserved.
(xxxii) Rev. Berlin's Jewish Chronicle obituary of 12 December 1919. ↵
(xxxiii) Rev. Z. Lawrence was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1896/7 and 1897/8. ↵
(xxxiv) Listed, as Rev. S. Fine(sic), as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1898/9. ↵
(xxxv) Rev. J.B. Levy was listed as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1899/1900 and 1900/1. According to Jolles's Encyclopaedia, he served from 1894, no source is given. ↵
(xxxvi) Listed (as Rev. B.N. Michaelson) as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1900/1 and 1901/2. ↵
(xxxvii) and (xxxviii) Reserved.
(xxxix) Listed (as Rev. M.D. Hirschman) as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1902/3 and 1910. ↵
(xl) History of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation on the People's Collection, Wales website. Alexander Hyams was listed as preacher of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1935 through 1945/6. ↵
(xli) Rev. A. Snadow was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1911 through 1964. ↵
(xlii) Rev. M. Myerowitz was listed as preacher of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1947 through 1949. ↵
(xliii) See letters relating to Rev. Fisher's resignation in August 1974 (which also make reference to his appointment). He was listed as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1965 through 1975. ↵
(xliv) Rev. D. Braunold was listed as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1976 through 1980. ↵
(xlv) to (xlvii) Reserved.
(xlvii) Extracted from The Jewish Directory for 1874, edited Asher I. Myers, p.79. ↵
(xlviii) Where a person was 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 shown as vacant. Initially year books corresponded to the Hebrew year, and thus ran roughly from autumn of one year - the year of publication - until autumn of the next year. From 1909, 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 1919 through 1924, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1918 and continued in office until 1924. 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. There were generally no Jewish Year Book listings of officers (other than secretary) subsequent to 1956. ↵
(xlix) A. Isaacs was reported as president of the congregation on its formation in 1859 (The Jewish Chronicle of 15 April 1859) and was referred to as president in Jewish Chronicle reports of 1869, 1870 and 1871 (the latest in The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 July 1871). ↵
(l) The Jewish Chronicle of 27 October 1865 and 12 October 1866 report, respectively, of M. Goldstein's election and reelection as president of the congregation. ↵
(li) The Jewish Chronicle of 6 October 1871. ↵
(li1) The Jewish Directory for 1874, edited Asher I. Myers, p.79. ↵
(liii) Reserved.
(liv) Referred to as treasurer in The Jewish Chronicle report of 4 June 1869. ↵
(lv) The Jewish Chronicle of 6 October 1871. ↵
(lvi) Reports on synagogue membership in the United Kingdom, published by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and which can be viewed on the website of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research. Click HERE for links to the various reports. ↵
(lvii) Charity Commission website, last accessed December 2024. Clicking the charity number will take you to the charity's registration on the website. ↵
(lviii) Page 990 of the 2010 List of Places of Worship. ↵
(lix) to (lxix) Reserved.
(lxx) The Jewish Chronicle of 15 April 1859 reported on that members of the congregation had obtained a piece of land for the purpose of a burial ground. See also The 2004 History Introductory Description. ↵
(lxxi) Kadish's Heritage, p.256. ↵
(lxxii) In The Jewish Chronicle of 28 October 1870, the congregation was advertising for a teacher. ↵
(lxxiii) Data extracted from Jewish Year Books for the following year. ↵
(lxxiv) and (lxxv) Reserved.
(lxxv) The Jewish Directory for 1874, edited Asher I. Myers, p.79. ↵
(lxxvi) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1899/1900. ↵
(lxxvii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1899/1900. ↵
(lxxviii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1920. ↵
(lxxix) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1903/4. ↵
(lxxx) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1932. ↵
(lxxxi) and (lxxxii) Reserved.
(lxxxiii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1899/1900. ↵
(lxxxiv) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1900/1. ↵
(lxxxv) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1903/4. ↵
(lxxxvi) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1919. ↵
(lxxxvii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1936. ↵
(lxxxviii) and (lxxxix) Reserved.
(xc) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1900/1. ↵
(xci) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1919. ↵
(xcii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1949. ↵

Jewish Congregations in the former county of Monmouthshire

Jewish Congregations in the former administrative county of Gwent

Jewish Congregations in Wales, listed according to current unitary authorities

Jewish Communities & Congregations in Wales home page

Page created: 2 March 2006
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 15 December 2024
Page most recently amended: 25 December 2024

Research and formatting by David Shulman

Explanation of Terms | About JCR-UK | JCR-UK home page

Contact JCR-UK Webmaster:
jcr-ukwebmaster@jgsgb.org.uk

Terms and Conditions, Licenses and Restrictions for the use of this website:

This website is owned by JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. All material found herein is owned by or licensed to us. You may view, download, and print material from this site only for your own personal use. You may not post material from this site on another website without our consent. You may not transmit or distribute material from this website to others. You may not use this website or information found at this site for any commercial purpose.