Merthyr Tydfil Jewish Community

Merthyr once had a large and prosperous Jewish community dating from at least the 1820's. The descendants of the 19th and 20th century community now are scattered. The last Jew living in Merthyr, George Black, died in Manchester around 1998. The following are details of the only Jewish Congregation known to have existed in the town.

 

Congregation Data
Name:	Merthyr Tydfil Hebrew Congregation
Last Address:	Church Street / Bryntirion Road, Thomastown, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 0EE Synagogue built 1876/7 Reconstructed and dedicated 1955 - (article in Merthyr Expres) Slated to be turned into flats in 2009, (article in South Wales Echo), but it became the Merthyr Christian Centre. It was subsequently converted to become the Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre) The former synagogue is now a Grade II Listed Building (reference number 11426), designated on 16 October 1978 (amended 13 January 1988). View listing on the website of Cadw (Welsh Government’s historic environment service).
Former Address:	Victoria Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Erected 1853, with accomodation for 60 men and 33 women (Jewish Directory, A. Myer, 1874)
Date Founded:	1848 (Jewish Directory, A. Myer, 1874)
Current Status:	Closed
Ritual:	Ashkenazi Orthodox
Membership Data:	1851 - 30 appropriated seats (Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain) 1852 - 20 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns) 1860 - 19 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns) 1870 - 30 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns) 1874 - 50 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns), congregation numbered 238 persons (Jewish Directory, A. Myer, 1874) 1880 - 30 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns) 1890 - 28 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns) 1900 - 26 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns), 27 seatholders (The Jewish Year Book 1900/01)