JCR-UK

the former

Aberdare and Aberaman Hebrew Congregation

and Jewish Community

Rhondda-Cynon-Taf, 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.

Town of Aberdare

Aberdare (with a population of about 40,000) is situated on the confluence of the river Dar and the river Cynon in the Valleys of South Wales. It lies about 23 miles north-west of Cardiff, some 13 miles to the north of Pontypridd and 14 miles to the south-west of Merthyr Tydfil. Aberaman (population about 10,000) is a village just to the south of Aberdare.

Until 1974, Aberdare (including Aberaman) was an urban district in the county of Glamorganshire. From 1974 until 1996, it was part of the district of Cynon Valley in the new county of Mid Glamorgan. Since 1996, it has formed part of the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf - a unitary authority (within the ceremonial, or preserved, county of Mid Glamorgan).

The Jewish Community

Settlement by Jewish traders in Aberdare can be dated back to the 1860s and the first reports of an organised Jewish community dates from the 1880s(ii) and continued until the mid twentieth century.

Congregation Data

Name:

Aberdare and Aberaman Hebrew Congregation(iii)

also (and previously) known as Aberdare Synagogue

Address:

19A Seymour Street, Aberdare(iv)
These premises, to which a blue commemorative plaque has now been affixed, were initially the residence of a Mr. David Hart, had been used by the congregation for divine services from about 1889,(v) and were purchased for the congregation in 1902, by M. Jacobs and B. Hann,(vi) following the death of David Hart.(vii)

Formation:

The earliest known services took place during the high holy days of 1889,(x) although there may have been earlier services at the homes of residents of the town.

Closure:

The last services took place during the high holy days of 1957,(xi) although it was some years before the synagogue was sold and the congregation was ultimately wound up.(xii)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Rival Congregation:

Possibly from as early as 1892 until June 1902, the Aberdare Jewish community was split and a rival congregation, which appears to have been called the Aberdare Congregation, was formed.(xiii) The appointment of Rev. Bernard Ginzburg as shochet in October 1901 appears to have been by the rival congregation.(xiv)

In 1892, B. Mendelson, J. Fine and Lewis Lazarus appeared to have been, respectively, the president, the treasurer and the hon. secretary,(xv) and in 1901, Max Silverman and Henry Cohen appeared to have been the president and pro tem secretary, respectively.(xvi)

At a general meeting held on 22 June 1902, following the purchase of the synagogue, it was agreed that both local congregations be united, all differences being satisfactorily settled.(xvii)

Affiliation:

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

Ministers and Readers: (To view a short profile of a minister whose name appears in blue - hold the cursor over the name.)

Rev. Solomon Noah Levin - believed to have served as reader in mid or late 1890.(xix)

Hirsch Taffer - shochet from at least 1896 until about 1898.(xx)

Louis Lipman - shochet from about 1898 until about 1900.(xxi)

Rev. Solomon Bloch - reader and shochet from at least 1900 until about 1903.(xxii)

Rev. Isaac Ostroff - reader and shochet from at least 1904 until 1907.(xxiii)

Rev. A.S. Cohen - reader and shochet from about 1908 until about 1911.(xxvi)

Rev. Isaac (or M.) Domnitz - minister from at least 1911 until 1914.(xxvii)

Rev. Solomon Freedberg - minister from 1915 until about 1919.(xxviii)

Rev. Samuel Joseph Michlewitz - minister from 1923 until about 1924.(xxix)

Rev. P. Isaacs - minister in about 1924/5.(xxx)

Rev. B.M. Strasunsky - served from 1926 possibly until about 1929.(xxxiii)

Rev. Ruben Abenson - minister in 1932.(xxxiv)

Rabbi I. Scher - minister from about 1936 until about 1938.(xxxv)

Rev. A. Schlachter - minister from the early 1940s until at least 1957.(xxxvi)

Lay Officers:

Presidents

1892-1901 - Morris Jacobs(xli)

1901-1902 - B. Haim(xlii)

1902-1906 - Morris Jacobs(xliii)

1906-1908 - Solomon L. Goldstone(xliv)

1908-1909 - J. Fine(xlvii)

1909-1910 - Solomon L. Goldstone(xlviii)

1910-1911 - S. Robin(xlviii)

1911-1912 - Solomon L. Goldstone(xlviii)

1912-1914 - S. Robin(xlviii)

1914-1915 - Solomon L. Goldstone(xlix)

1915-1916 - M. Levitt(l)

1916-1917 - David Fine(li)

1917-1920 - S. Robins(liii)

1920-1923 - Henry Cohen(liii)

1923-1925 - Lewis Bloch(liv)

1925-1926 - Harry Shimilove(lv)

1926-1929 - Lewis Bloch(lvi)

1929-1936 - M. Harris(lvii)

1936-1939 - Victor Freed(lviii)

1939-1940 - Henry Cohen(lviii)

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1947 - Henry Cohen(lviii)

1947-1959 - Victor Freed(lix)

Treasurers

appointed 1888 - I. Fine(lxii)

1892 - Solomon L. Goldstone(lxiii)

elected 1892 - David Saul(lxiv)

1896-1899 - Solomon L. Goldstone(lxv)

1901-1902 - S.J. Robins(lxvi)

1902-1904 - B. Haim(lxvii)

1904-1906 - Solomon L. Goldstone(lxix)

1906-1908 - Max Silverman(lxx)

1908-1909 - Lewis Bloch(lxxi)

1909-1910 - S. Robins(lxxii)

1909-1911 - David Fine(lxxii)

1912-1914 - M. Levitt(lxxiii)

1914-1915 - Max Silverman(lxxiv)

1915-1916 - M. Levitt(lxxvii)

1916-1923 - N. Newman(lxxviii)

1923 - David Fine(lxxix)

1923-1925 - Harry Shimilove(lxxx)

1925-1926 - R. Silverman(lxxxi)

1926-1936 - data contradictory

The following served as treasurer during
this period but dates conflict:

S. Bluestone;(lxxxiv) M. Harris;(lxxxv)
O. Shane;(lxxxvi) R. Abrahams;(lxxxvii)

1936-1938 - Sidney Shimilove(xc)

1938-1939 - S. Bluestein(xci)

1939-1940 - B. Schwartz(xcii)

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1951 - B. Schwartz(xciii)

1951-1956 - C. Britz(xciv)

Secretaries and Hon. Secretaries

elected 1889 - Morris Jacobs(xcvii)

1901-1902 - Henry Cohen (pro tem)(xcviii)

1902-1903 - Leslie Jacobs(xcix)

1903-1905 - B. Haim(c)

1905-1906 - Henry Cohen(ci)

1906-1908 - Max Silverman(cii)

1908-1909 - L. Bloch & Barnett E. Hann(cv)

1909-1910 - Henry Cohen(cvi)

1910-1912 - Barnett E. Hann(cvii)

1912-1914 - Nat Robins(cviii)

1914-1915 - M. Goldstone(cix)

1915-1916 - Henry Cohen(cxii)

1916-1917 - R. Silverman(cxiii)

1917-1924 - Bernard E. Hann(cxiv)

1924-1927 - R. Silverman(cxv)

1926-1927 - S. Bluestein(cxvi)

1927-1928 - M. Harris(cxix)

1928-1940 - data contradictory

The following served as hon secretary
during this period but dates conflict:

O. Shane;(cxx) R. Abrahams;(cxxi)
S. Bluestein;(cxxii) Sidney Similove(cxxiii)

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1948 - Sidney Similove(cxxvi)

1948-1956 - Audrey Freed(cxxvii)

1956-1973 - C. Britz(cxxviii)

Registration District:

Rhondda Cynon Taf, since 1 October 2002(cxxxi) - Link to Register Office website

Cemetery Information:

There is no Jewish cemetery in Aberdare, and the community, by arrangement, generally used the cemetery in Merthyr Tydfil.(cxxxii) There is also a Jewish cemetery in near Pontypridd.

 

Online Articles, Videos and Other Material
relating to the Aberdare Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

on third party websites

 

Other Aberdare Jewish Institutions & Organisations

  • Aberdare and Aberaman Zionist Society, founded by 1900.(cxxxv) A revived society, the Aberdare & District Zionist Society, held its inaugural meeting in 1919,(cxxxvi) and a later revival took place in 1927.(cxxxvii)

  • Aberdare & District Jewish Literary and Social Society, founded in December 1905.(cxxxviii)

  • Aberdare Jewish Benevolent Society, founded in 1906.(cxxxix)

  • JNF Commissioner, established by 1929.(cxl)

 

Aberdare Jewish Population Data

Year

Number

Source

1903

20 families

The Jewish Year Book 1903/4

1930

30

The Jewish Chronicle of 30 May 1930

1945

63

The Jewish Year Book 1945/6

1954

42

The Jewish Year Book 1955

1955

35

The Jewish Year Book 1956

1957

24

The Jewish Year Book 1958

1958

21

The Jewish Year Book 1959

1961

15

The Jewish Year Book 1962

1964

14

The Jewish Year Book 1965

1965

12

The Jewish Year Book 1966

1966

8

The Jewish Year Book 1967

Click HERE to view Jewish population figures for the whole of Rhondda Cynon Taf from UK Censuses since 2001.

 

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i) Reserved.

  • (ii) Into the Vortex by G. Alderman, p.3. ↵

  • (iii) This name including Aberaman was already in use by 1901 - The Jewish Chronicle reports of 20 September 1901. ↵

  • (iv) Address listed in Jewish Year Books, appearing just as 19 Seymour Street from 1898/9 through 1904/5. ↵

  • (v) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 11 October 1889. ↵

  • (vi) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 27 June 1902. ↵

  • (vii) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 20 July 1894. ↵

  • (viii) and (ix) Reserved.

  • (x) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 11 October 1889. ↵

  • (xi) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 7 August 1859. ↵

  • (xii) The Jewish Year Book 1963 and The Jewish Chronicle of 26 August 1966 reported that services were no longer held in Aberdare, although it remained listed in Jewish Year Books until 1973. ↵

  • (xiii) A number of notices appearing in The Jewish Chronicle from 1892 to 1901, including a statement on 9 December 1892 (disputing the identity of officers) and an advertisement on 7 June 1901 for a shochet, reader and teacher, followed by a response the following week, on 14 June 1901 by the officers that such advertisement was unauthorised, indicated that a split had taken place. (The Jewish Chronicle report of 28 March 1902 confirmed that two congregations had existed.) ↵

  • (xiv) The Jewish Chronicle of 11 October 1901 reported the election of "Rev. B. Ginsburg"(sic) as shochet to the Aberdare Congregation. As Rev. Bloch appears to have still been serving the main congregation at the time, it is presumed that Rev. Ginzburg was appointed to serve the rival congregation. He was listed as shochet in Aberdare in the Jewish Year Book 1902/3, although Rev. Bloch was listed as shochet both and following Rev. Ginsburg's listing. ↵

  • (xv) The Jewish Chronicle report of 9 December 1892. ↵

  • (xvi) The Jewish Chronicle advert of 7 June 1901 and report of 11 October 1901. ↵

  • (xvii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 28 March 1902. ↵

  • (xviii) Reserved.

  • (xix) Michael Jolles's Encyclopaedia of British Jewish Cantors, etc. ("Jolles's Encyclopaedia"), p.668. ↵

  • (xx) Hirsch Taffer was listed as shochet from the first Jewish Year Book (1896/7) and in the 1897/8 edition. ↵

  • (xxi) Louis Lipman was listed as shochet in Jewish Year Books 1898/9 and 1899/1900. ↵

  • (xxii) Rev. S. Bloch was listed as shochet in Jewish Year Books 1900/1 and 1901/2 and as S. Block in the 1903/4 edition. He is also referred to as shochet of the congregation in The Jewish Chronicle report of 14 June 1901. ↵

  • (xxiii) Rev. Ostroff was listed as shochet and reader in Jewish Year Books 1904/5 through 1907/8. He is first mentioned at Aberdare in a report in The Jewish Chronicle report of 27 May 1904. The Jewish Chronicle report of 5 July 1907 reported his move to Aberdeen. ↵

  • (xxiv) and (xxv) Reserved.

  • (xxvi) based upon Rev. A.S. Cohen's listing as reader and shochet of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1909 through 1911. ↵

  • (xxvii) The Jewish Chronicle of 18 September 1914 reported that Rev I. Domnitz (Aberdare) had been elected as chazan to the Stockton congregation. He was listed as minister of the Aberdare congregation in Jewish Year Books 1912 through 1915. ↵

  • (xxviii) The Jewish Chronicle of 26 February 1915 reported that Rev S. Freedberg of Great Yarmouth had been elected elected as chazan, teacher and shochet of the Aberdare congregation. Although he was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1916 through 1924, he had already assumed his next post by early 1920. ↵

  • (xxix) An Industrious Minority, a history of the Bolton Jewish Community (available online at JCR-UK Publications) by Hilary Thomas and John Cowell, p.64. Rev Michlewitz is not listed in Jewish Year Books with regard to this congregation. ↵

  • (xxx) Based upon the listing of Rev. P. Isaacs as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1925. ↵

  • (xxxi) and (xxxii) Reserved.

  • (xxxiii) The Jewish Chronicle of 24 September 1926 referred to Rev. B.M. Strasunsky as the newly appointed minister of the congregation. Jolles's Encyclopaedia, p.913, refers to him as serving the community in 1929. ↵

  • (xxxiv) Rev. Abenson's 1991 Jewish Chronicle obituary. ↵

  • (xxxv) Based upon Rabbi Scher's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1937 and 1938. ↵

  • (xxxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 7 August 1959 provided a profile of the former community and stated that Rev. Schlachter, now retired, had officiated at the last service held in the synagogue in 1957 and There were no ministers listed for the congregation in Jewish Year Books after 1938, apart from Rev. Schlachter in the editions 1952 through 1958. ↵

  • (xxxvii) to (xl) Reserved.

  • (xli) M. Jacobs is referred to a president of the congregation in various Jewish Chronicle reports, from 21 October 1892 to 31 December 1896, and is listed as such in Jewish Year Books from the first edition (1896/7) through 1900/1. ↵

  • (xlii) B. Haim was listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1901/2 and his election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 14 June 1901. ↵

  • (xliii) M. Jacobs was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1902/3 through 1905/6 and his re-election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 February 1905. ↵

  • (xliv) S.L. Goldstone was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1906/7 and 1907/8 and his election and re-election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle reports of 19 January 1906 and 4 January 1907. ↵

  • (xlv) and (xlvi) Reserved.

  • (xlvii) J. Fine was listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1909 and his election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 20 November 1908. ↵

  • (xlviii) Although S.L Goldstone was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1910 through 1913, the election of S. Robins as president was reported in The Jewish Chronicle of 2 December 1910, (not listed in the Jewish Year Book 1911) although it is presumed that Goldstone was again elected at the end of 1911, serving until 1912, when Robins was elected. S. Robins was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1913 and 1914. ↵

  • (xlix) S.L. Goldstone was listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1915 and his election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 20 March 1914. ↵

  • (l) M. Levitt was listed as president (and treasurer) in the Jewish Year Book 1916 and his election as president and treasurer is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 5 February 1915. ↵

  • (li) D. Fine was listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1917 and his election as president is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 March 1916. ↵

  • (lii Reserved.

  • (liii) Although S. Robins was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1918 through 1923, H. Cohen (listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1924) was already referred to as president in The Jewish Chronicle report of 15 October 1920, and his election in June 1923 is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 28 June 1923. However, S. Robin may have served again in the early 1920s, until June 1923. ↵

  • (liv) L. Bloch was first listed as president in the Jewish Year Book 1925 and his election as president in late 1923 is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 2 November 1923. ↵

  • (lv) Based upon H. Shimilove's listing as president in the Jewish Year Book 1926. ↵

  • (lvi) In his second term, L. Bloch was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1927 through 1929 and his election as president in 1926 and 1927 is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle reports of 3 December 1926 and 9 December 1927. ↵

  • (lvii) M. Harris was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1930 through 1936 and his election as president in 1930 is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle reports of 10 January 1930. ↵

  • (lviii) Although Victor Freed was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1937 through 1940, Henry Cohen was elected president in 1939, as reported in The Jewish Chronicle report of 15 December 1939. The Jewish Year Book was not published in the years 1941/5 and H. Cohen was listed as president of the congregation in the editions 1945/6 and 1947. ↵

  • (lix) Although Victor Freed was listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1956 (after which the the year book ceased providing details of community presidents), The Jewish Chronicle of 7 August 1959 stated that some 15 years previously he took charge of the synagogue’s affairs. ↵

  • (lx) and (lxi) Reserved.

  • (lxii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 11 October 1989. ↵

  • (lxiii) Referred to as treasurer in The Jewish Chronicle report of 21 October 1992. ↵

  • (lxiv) The Jewish Chronicle report of 2 November 1992. ↵

  • (lxv) S.L. Goldstone was listed as treasurer the in Jewish Year Book 1897/8, his election as treasurer being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 31 December 1996. ↵

  • (lxvi) S.J. Robins was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1901/2, and is referred to as treasurer in The Jewish Chronicle report of 14 June 1901. ↵

  • (lxvii) B. Haim was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1902/3 through 1904/5. ↵

  • (lxvii) and (lxviii) Reserved.

  • (lxix) S.L. Goldstone was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1905/6, his re-election as treasurer being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 12 February 1905. ↵

  • (lxx) M. Silverman was listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1906/7 and 1907/8, his election and re-election as treasurer being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle reports of 19 January 1906 and 4 January 1907. ↵

  • (lxxi) L. Bloch was listed as treasurer (and joint hon. secretary) in the Jewish Year Book 1909, his election as treasurer and secretary being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle reports of 20 November 1908. ↵

  • (lxxii) S. Robins was listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1910 through 1912. However, The Jewish Chronicle reports of 2 December 1910 reported the election of D. Fine as treasurer, serving presumably until at least late 1911. It is unclear who served as treasurer 1911 to 1912. ↵

  • (lxxiii) Based upon M. Levitt's listing as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1913 and 1914. ↵

  • (lxxiv) M. Silverman was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1915, his election in 1914 being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 20 March 1914. ↵

  • (lxxv) and (lxxvi) Reserved.

  • (lxxvii) M. Levitt was listed as treasurer (and president) in the Jewish Year Book 1916, his election in 1915 as president and treasurer being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 5 February 1915. ↵

  • (lxxviii) N. Newman was listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1917 through 1923, his election in 1916 being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 March 1916. ↵

  • (lxxix) D. Fine was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1924, his election in June 1923 being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 28 June 1923. However, another person was elected treasurer in November 1923 (see next note). ↵

  • (lxxx) H. Shimilove was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1925, his election in November 1923 being confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 2 November 1923. ↵

  • (lxxxi) Based upon R. Silverman's listing as treasurer (and hon. secretary) in Jewish Year Books 1926 and 1927, taking into account the election of his successor (as treasurer and secretary) in about December 2026 (see next note). ↵

  • (lxxxii) and (lxxxiii) Reserved.

  • (lxxxiv) The Jewish Chronicle of 3 December 1926 reported S. Bluestein's election as treasurer and secretary. However, he was listed as treasurer (and hon. secretary) in Jewish Year Books 1928 and 1929. ↵

  • (lxxxv) The Jewish Chronicle of 9 December 1927 reporting on the election of M. Harris (or L. Bloch) as treasurer and on 10 January 1930 it also reporting upon his election as treasurer (and president). He was not listed as treasurer  in Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (lxxxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 January 1930 reported O. Shane's election as treasurer (and secretary). However, he is listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1930 through 1937 (which clearly is an error). ↵

  • (lxxxvii) In an advertisement in The Jewish Chronicle of 23 September 1932 R. Abrahams is referred to as treasurer of the congregation. He is not listed as treasurer in any Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (lxxxviii) and (lxxxix) Reserved.

  • (xc) S. Shimilove is listed as treasurer of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1937 and 1938 and it is presumed that he served from 1936. ↵

  • (xci) The Jewish Chronicle of 15 December 1939 reported S. Bluestein stepping down as treasurer. He is listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books 1939 and 1940 ↵

  • (xcii) The Jewish Chronicle of 15 December 1939 reported B. Schwartz election as treasurer. He is not listed as treasurer of the congregation in Jewish Year Books until after World War II. The year book was not published in the war years 1941-1945. ↵

  • (xciii) B. Schwartz was listed as treasurer of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1945/6 through 1951. ↵

  • (xciv) C. Britz was listed as treasurer of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1952 through 1956, after which the year book ceased listing treasurers. ↵

  • (xcv) and (xcvi) Reserved.

  • (xcvii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 11 October 1989. ↵

  • (xcviii) H. Cohen's appointment reported in The Jewish Chronicle report of 11 October 1901. ↵

  • (xcix) Based upon L. Jacobs's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1902/3. ↵

  • (c) Based upon B. Haim's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1903/4 and !904/5. ↵

  • (ci) H. Cohen was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1905/6 and his election as hon. secretary is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 February 1905. ↵

  • (cii) Based upon M. Silverman's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Book 1906/7 and !907/8. ↵

  • (ciii) and (civ) Reserved.

  • (cv) L. Bloch and B.E. Hann are listed as joint hon. secretaries of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1909. L. Bloch's election as hon. secretary (and treasurer) is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 20 November 1908. ↵

  • (cvi) Based upon H. Cohen's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1910. ↵

  • (cvii) Based upon Barnett E. Hann's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Book 1911 and 1912. However, The Jewish Chronicle reports of 2 December 1910 and 28 July 1911 refer to the M. Goldstone, Jnr, as secretary. ↵

  • (cviii) Based upon Nat Robin's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1913 and 1914. ↵

  • (cix) M. Goldstone was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1915 and his election as hon. secretary is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 20 March 1914. However, please see footnote 107 regarding earlier references to M. Goldstoone as hon. secretary of the congregation. ↵

  • (cx) and (cxi) Reserved.

  • (cxii) H. Cohen was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1916 and his election as hon. secretary is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 5 February 1915. ↵

  • (cxiii) R. Silverman was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1917 and his election as hon. secretary is confirmed by The Jewish Chronicle report of 17 March 1916. ↵

  • (cxiv) Based upon B.E. Hann's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1918 through 1924. ↵

  • (cxv) Based upon Silverman's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1925 through 1927, in 1925 as N. Silverman and 1926 and 1927 as R. Silverman. ↵

  • (cxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 3 December 1926 reported S. Bluestein's election as secretary (and treasurer). However, he was listed as hon. secretary in Jewish Year Books 1928 and 1929. ↵

  • (cxvii) and (cxviii) Reserved.

  • (cxix) The Jewish Chronicle of 9 December 1927 reported the election of M. Harris as hon. secretary of the congregation. He is not listed as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books. ↵

  • (cxx) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 January 1930 reported the election of O. Shane as hon. secretary of the congregation. He is also listed as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1930 through 1938. However, during the same period, there were reports of others elected as hon. secretary of the congregation. ↵

  • (cxxi) The Jewish Chronicle advertisement of 4 December 1931 refers to R. Abrahams as secretary of the congregation. He is not listed as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books during the 1930s. ↵

  • (cxxii) S. Bluestein is listed as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1939 and 1940. However there is a contradictory 1939 press report (see next note). ↵

  • (cxxiii) The Jewish Chronicle of 15 December 1939 reported on the election of S. Similove as hon. secretary of the congregation. However, he is not listed as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books until after World War II. The year book was not published in the war years 1941-1945. ↵

  • (cxxiv) and (cxxv) Reserved.

  • (cxxvi) Based upon S. Similove's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1945/6, 1947 and 1948. Based upon the 1939 press reports (see previous note), he possibly could have served from 1939. ↵

  • (cxxvii) Based upon A. Freed's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1956. ↵

  • (cxxviii) Based upon C. Britz's listing as hon. secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1957 through 1973. ↵

  • (cxxix) and (cxxx) Reserved.

  • (cxxxi) Previous Registration Districts: Merthyr Tydfil from 1 July 1837 to 1 January 1935; and Pontypridd from 1 January 1835 to 1 October 2002. All records would now be held by the current office. ↵

  • (cxxxii) The Jewish Chronicle profile of the community of 7 August 1957. ↵

  • (cxxxiii) and (cxxxiv) Reserved.

  • (cxxxv) The Jewish Chronicle reports of 3 January 1902 and 9 May 1902. ↵

  • (cxxxvi) The Jewish Chronicle report of 9 May 1919. ↵

  • (cxxxvii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 1 April 1927. ↵

  • (cxxxviii) The Jewish Chronicle report of 22 June 1906. It was first listed in the Jewish Year Book 1906/7. ↵

  • (cxxxix) The Jewish Chronicle report of 14 December 1906. ↵

  • (cxl) It was first listed in the Jewish Year Book 1930. ↵

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Page created: 23 August 2005
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 29 December 2024
Page most recently amended: 15 January 2025

Research by David Shulman and Harold Pollins
Formatting by David Shulman

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