the former

Neath Synagogue

Neath, Neath Port Talbot, South Wales

Page created: 9 October 2005
Latest revision or update: 21 February 2016

Town of Neath

The town of Neath (in Welsh: Castell-nedd), with a population of about 20,000, is close to the mouth of the river Neath (or Nedd), some 10 miles to the north-east of Swansea and 40 miles west of Cardiff.

Until 1974, Neath was a municipal borough of Neath in the county of Glamorganshire. From 1974 until 1996, it was part of the district of Neath in the county of West Glamorgan. Since 1996, it has been within the county borough of Neath Port Talbot - a unitary authority (in the ceremonial, or preserved, county of West Glamorgan).

Neath Jewish Community

There a small Jewish community in the town in the late nineteenth century.

Congregation Data
Name:	Neath Synagogue
Address:	Wind and Water Street, Neath
Date Established	1867 (a purpose-built synagogue, built privately by Mr. Lazarus Samuel at hi sown expense.)
Current Status:	Closed, after 1880. There was a report in Jewish Chronicle of 17 September 1880, of the synagogue still being "open once a year for New Year and Pentecost" (sic)
Ritual:	Ashkenazi Orthodox
Capacity of Synagogue:	Reportedly in 1875 - Synagogue had room for 30.
Cemetery Information:	Neath did not have its own Jewish cemetery. Burials would have taken place in Swansea.

On-line Articles and Other Material
relating to the Neath Jewish Community

on JCR-UK

Two Unknown Welsh Synagogues, and an Oxford Connection, an article by Harold Pollins. Originally published in Oxford Menorah issue no. 182, Chanukah 2006/5767
Bibliography

Former Jewish Communities in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot

Jewish Congregations in the former county of Glamorganshire

Jewish Congregations in Wales, listed according to current unitary authorities

Jewish Communities & Congregations in Wales home page