JCR-UK

Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire Hebrew Congregation

 

 

    


JCR-UK is a genealogical and historical website covering all Jewish communities and
congregations throughout the British Isles and Gibraltar, both past and present.
NOTE: We are not the official website of this congregation.


© Ivor Brown 2008

The former synagogue in Birch Terrace, Hanley, sold in 2004 for redevelopment,
but, as at September 2008, still standing.
The above photograph was kindly provided to JCR-UK by Ivor Brown.

 

Stoke-on-Trent
(including Hanley)

The city of Stoke-on-Trent (also known as The Potteries or The Six Towns) in the county of Staffordshire in the English Midlands, was formed in 1910 as a result of the federation of six boroughs or districts, namely Stoke-upon-Trent, Hanley, Burslem, Longton, Tunstall and Fenton, into a single municipal borough. It became a county borough and was raised to city status in 1925. In the local government reorganization of 1974, Stoke-on-Trent became a District of Staffordshire, but it was restored as a unitary authority in 1998. Although the city administrative offices are situated in what was the original town of Stoke, the city centre is generally regarded as in Hanley.

Newcastle-under-Lyme

The borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme  adjoins Stoke-on-Trent and forms a single conurbation with Stoke and is often considered to be an affluent suburb of Stoke.  Newcastle-under-Lyme became a District (later Borough) of Staffordshire in 1974, within its present boundaries. The District was formed by the merger of the municipal borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme with adjoining areas.

The Jewish Community

Until recently, the synagogue of the Stoke-on-Trent Hebrew Congregation (the only Jewish congregation known to have existed in Stoke-on-Trent or Newcastle-under Lyme) was situated in Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent. The congregation has now moved to Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Congregation Data

Name:

Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Hebrew Congregation(iii)
formerly Stoke-on-Trent Hebrew Congregation until about 2003
(and previously known as Hanley Hebrew Congregation until 1927)(iv)

Address:

London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs. ST5 1LZ.
Situated next to the congregation's cemetery, the synagogue was constructed in 2006, with the assistance of Lottery Heritage funds, on the site of the cemetery's prayer hall, which was demolished to make way for the new small synagogue.(v)

Previous Addresses:

Birch Terrace, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
The congegation decided to buy the Birch Terrace site, a former private boys school, in 1903 and in 1906 an adjoining site was also purchased, the combined site being large enough to build a synagogue (with a ladies gallery) and a separate school and study room. However, it took quite some time to raise the requisite funds and accordingly it was not until 5 October 1922 that the foundation stones of the new synagogue were laid.(vi) The synagogue opened on 6 September 1923 and remained in use until the deconsecration service of 29 March 2006 conducted by Rev. Malcolm Weisman. The building had been sold in 2004 as part of a major redevelopment project for central Hanley (subsequently put on hold), but it had been agreed that the congregation could initially continue to use the building for services whilst other properties in the street were still being acquired.(vii)

From 1874 until 1923, the synagogue was in Hanover Street, Hanley, a former Welsh Chapel, purchased in 1873 and opened and consecrated on 23 September 1874.(viii) However, due to lack of space at Hanover Street, the congregation was obliged to use premises in Glass Street for schooling and occasional meetings. By the time of the move to Birch Terrace, Hanover Street was in a run-down area, the synagogue being situated behind the old Port Vale football ground.

From 1872 until 1874, the congregation held services in a temporary synagogue, consisting of a room in Foundry Street, Hanley,(ix) and in a private house in Marsh Street, Hanley.(x)

Current Status:

Active

Date Founded:

The congregation was formed in 1872, when services commenced in a temporary synagogue (a room in Foundry Street), although 1873 is frequently given as the year the congregation was established.(xi)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

The congregation is unaffiliated but is under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi.

Rival Congregations:

First Rival Hebrew Congregation in Glass Street, Hanley
In about November 1881, owing to what was later termed as a "misunderstanding", a schism took place between the congregation's establishment and a group known as the Opposition, which resulted in the formation of a rival congregation in Glass Streety, each congregation having separate ministers and honorary officers. The congregations were initially reconciled in May 1883, through the efforts of Charles Jacobs and the good offices of William Aaronsberg, of Manchester, who for a short time assumed the office of president.(xiii)

Longton Hebrew Congregation
In the early 1890's there was a short-lived attempt to establish a separate congregation in Longton (which is one of the Six Towns that make up Stoke-on-Trent), situated just under five miles from the synagogue in Hanley. Rev. Abraham Rosenberg, formerly of Hanley Synagogue, served as its minister during 1890.(xiv)

Hanley New Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash
This secessionist congregation, in Glass Street, Hanley, although formed in about 1897, was a re-establishment of the "Opposition" congregation (see above). Later in the year a visit by the Chief Rabbi produced a scheme for reconciliation between the two congregations. However, a later break away occurred when the Glass Street premises hosted the Zionist Dorshei Zion association and again held separate services, but the congregations were again reunited by 1902. Rev. Samuel L. Sumberg of Hanley Synagogue served as minister of the breakaway congregation in 1896 and as hon. minister of the later breakaway congregation.

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

Rev. Mark Louis Harris - reader, and subsequently minister, from at least 1874 possibly intermittently until about 1883(xv)

Rev. M. Spier - minister in about 1878(xvi)

Rev. Moses Claff - minister in and about 1883(xvii)

Rev. Abraham Rosenberg - minister from at least 1884 until 1890(xviii)

Rev. Samuel L. Sumberg - minister from 1887 until 1896(xix)

Rev. Philip Wolfers - minister from February to July 1893(xx)

Rev. Morris Rosenbaum - minister from September 1893 until June 1894(xxii)

Rev. Marcus Berner - minister from 1896 until about 1898(xxiii)

Rev. S. J. Levy - minister from 1896 until about 1901, and then reader until about 1922(xxiv)

Rev. Mark Bensky - minister from 1901 until about 1921 (possibly with break from 1905 to 1907)(xxv)

Rev. Hyman Goodman - minister from about 1905 until about 1907(xxvi)

Rev. A. Miller - reader from about 1919 until about 1920(xxvii)

Rev. J. Rabbinovitch - minister from about 1921 until about 1922(xxix)

Rev. David Isaac Devons - minister from 1922 until 1926(xxx)

Rev. Samuel Isaacs - minister from about 1927 until 1933(xxxi)

Rev. Monty Isaacs - headmaster from 1933 and subsequently (from about 1936) minister until 1945(xxxii)

Rev. Bernard Landau - minister from about 1945 until 1947(xxxv)

Rev. Boruchas Mausas Starr - minister from 1948 until 1956(xxxvi)

Rev. Solomon Greenstein - minister from about 1956 until about 1962(xxxvii)

Rev. Harry Berman - officiated at services and kashrut supervisor from 1963 until 1968(xxxviii)

Visiting Ministers:

Rev. Aaron Asher Green of Sheffield - visiting minister from 1885 until 1888(xlii)

Rev. R. Elzas of Jews' College, London - visiting minister in 1889 (high holy days)(xliii)

Rev. Isaac Aarons of Wolverhampton - visiting minister in 1890(xliv)

Rev. Harris Cohen of Nottingham - visiting minister from 1896 to 1901(xlv)

Lay Officers of the Congregation:

Unless otherwise stated:
(a) the data on presidents and treasurers from 1922 to 2001 is taken from plaques of the congregation's honorary officers that were displayed on the walls of the former synagogue at Birch Terrace, Hanley;(xlvii)
(b) the lists of wardens, life vice presidents, representatives on the Board of Deputies and registrars, as well as data on all other lay officers since 2001 and, in numerous instances, the full names of officers have been kindly provided by Martin D. Morris, the president of the congregation; and
(c) other data on lay officers has been extracted from Jewish Year Book listings, first published in 1896/7.(xlviii)

Reference below to "present" is to April 2022.

Presidents

at least 1872-1875 - Joseph Solomon(xlix)

1875-1876 - Aaron Price(l)

1876-1880 - Joseph Solomon(xlix)

1880-1881 - J. Freedman(li)

1881-1882 - Joseph Solomon (warden)(xlix)

1883 - William Aaronsberg of Manchester(lii)

1883-1884 - Charles Jacobs(liii)

1884-1885 - Samuel Goldstone(liv)

1885-1886 - Charles Jacobs(lv)

1886-1887 - Maurice Epstein(lviii)

1887-1889 - Samuel Goldstone(lix)

1889-1896 - Lewis Goldberg(lx)

1896-1899 - Marcus Epstein(lxi)

1899-1901 - Samuel Greenberg(lxii)

1901-1902 - M. Rotenberg(lxiii)

1902-1905 - Samuel L. Sumberg

1905-1907 - Isaac Rich

1907-1909 - Isaac Shilkoff(lxiv)

1909-1911 - Colman Sumberg

1911-1912 - Isaac Shilkoff(lxiv)

1912-1914 - H. Smith

1914-1916 - B. Bloom

1916-1917 - S. Jacobson

1917-1920 - Joseph B. Blain

1920-1922 - Alexander Solomons

1922-1923 - Isaac Shilkoff(lxiv)

1923-1926 - Colman Sumberg

1926-1927 - E. Bloom

1927-1929 - Morris (Maurice) Morris

1929-1932 - Colman Sumberg

1932-1935 - Isaac Simon

1935-1936 - Morris (Maurice) Morris

1936-1937 - Colman Sumberg

1937-1943 - Joseph Kay

1943-1946 - Morris (Maurice). Morris

1946-1948 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1948-1950 - Philip Gold

1950-1952 - Alan Viner

1952-1953 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1953-1955 - Joel Myers

1953-1956 - Harold Burton

1956-1959 - Saul Simon, JP

1959-1965 - Philip Gold

1965-1967 - Cyril Hyman

1967-1977 - Maurice Taylor

1977-2011 - H. Sydney Morris

2011-present - Martin D. Morris

Treasurers

at least 1874-1876 - Julian Aaron(lxvi)

1876-1880 - Charles Jacobs(lxvii)

1880-1881 - H. Jacobs(lxviii)

1881-188? - Joseph Alexander(lxix)

1884-1885 - Aaron Price(lxxii)

1885-1886 - G. Woolf(lxxiii)

1886-1888 - J. Finn(lxxiv)

1888-1889 - Lewis Goldberg(lxxv)

1890-1892 - S. Gershon(lxxviii)

1892-1896 - Marcus Epstein(lxxix)

1896-1901 - M. Rotenberg(lxxx)

1901-1902 - J. Rich(lxxxi)

1902-1905 - S. Savitz

1905-1907 - L. Verly

1907-1909 - S. Jacobson

1909-1911 - B. Bloom

1911-1912 - S. Jacobson

1912-1916 - Harris Solkow(lxxxii)

1916-1917 - A.M. Solomon

1917-1920 - L. Lee

1920-1922 - Israel Simons

1922-1923 - Joseph B. Blain

1923-1924 - Isaac Shilkoff(lxiv)

1924-1926 - Joseph B. Blain

1926-1927 - Abram Savitz

1927-1931 - Harris Solkow(lxxxii)

1931-1932 - Joseph B. Blain

1932-1935 - J. Kay & Colman Sumberg

1935-1936 - David Cohen

1936-1937 - J. Kay

1937-1941 - Raymond Myers

1941-1942 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1942-1943 - Morris (Maurice) Morris

1943-1946 - Israel Simon

1946-1948 - Joel Myers

1948-1955 - Philip Slann

1955-1957 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1957-1959 - Ralph (Shepsie) Davis

1959-1961 - Mark Joseph Singer

1961-1987 - H. Sydney Morris

1987-2000 - Harry Slann

2000-2011 - Rafael (Rae) Elias & H. Sydney Morris

2011-2017 - Rafael (Rae) Elias

2017-2021 - Dr. Alison Knight

2021-present - Simon Turk

Wardens
(S=Senior; J=Junior)

1936-1937 - Abraham Levine (S)

1936-1937 - E. Bloom (J)

1937-1939 - E. Bloom (S)

1937-1941 - Harry Grossberg (J)

1939-1941 - Harry Miller (S)

1941-1943 - Abraham Levine (S)

1941-1944 - E. Bloom (J)

1943-1944 - Harris Solkow (S)(lxxxii)

1944-1959 - Harris Solkow(lxxxii)

1959-1967 - Raymond Myers;

1961-1964 - Joseph Kay

1965-1971 - Philip Gold

1967-1971 - Harry Miller

1971-1975 - Joel Myers

1972-1976 - Philip Slann

1976-1996 - Dr Lionel Alexander

1977-1979 - Bernard Slann

1979-1992 - Mark Singer

1992-1999 - Samuel Singer

1999-2015 - Michael Meisler

2010-2018 - Paul S. Lewis

2018-2021 - Dr Alison Knight (acting)

2019-2022 - Martin Frisher

Life Vice Presidents

1938-1948 - Isaac Rich

1948-1955 - Colman Sumberg

1955-1959 - Harris Solkow(lxxxii)

1959-1965 - Joseph Kay

1966-1971 - Harry Miller

1971-1976 - Philip Gold

1976-1995 - Alan Viner

 

Representatives of the
Board of Deputies

1936-1954 - Colman Sumberg

1954-1966 - Raymond Myers

1966-1969 - Philip Gold

1969-1975 - Anthony Slann

1975-1977 - Maurice Taylor

1977-1979 - Dr Lionel Alexander

1979-1981 - Rowel Genn

1981-1982 - Daniel Janner

2008-2011 - Caroline Sumberg

2011-2021 - David Sumberg

2021-present - Edwin R. Lucas

Secretaries and Hon. Secretaries

in and about 1874 - Isaac (Lewis) Lyons(lxxxv)

1883-1884 - Morris Epstein(lxxxvi)

1884-1885 - Aaron Price(lxxxvii)

1885-1888 - N. Ornstein(lxxxviii)

1888-1893 - M.D. Price(lxxxix)

1893-1895 - M. Rotenberg(xc)

1895-1896 - S. Greenberg(xciii)

1896-1900 - U. Shapiro(xciv)

1901-1902 - Colman Sumberg(xcv)

1902-1904 - Rev. Mark Bensky

1904-1905 - Graham L. Jacobs

1905-1906 - S. Greenberg

1906-1907 - U. Shapiro

1907-1908 - Rev. Mark Bensky

1908-1909 - Lazarus Rubinstein

1909-1910 - E. Bloom

1910-1911 - Colman Sumberg

1911-1912 - Isaac Rich

1912-1916 - U. Shapiro

1916-1917 - Joseph B. Blain

1917-1920 - Isaac Rich

1920-1923 - E. Bloom

1923-1926 - Julius Berman

1926-1927 - Israel Simon

1927-1928 - Victor Friesner

1928-1932 - Israel Simon

1932-1936 - P. Dennis Falk

1936-1937 - Raymond Myers

1937-1938 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1938-1939 - S. Grossberg

1939-1941 - Philip Slann

1941-1942 - Philip Dennis Falk

1942-1944 - Rev. Monty Isaacs

1944-1945 - Philip Dennis Falk

1945-1947 - Alan Viner

1947-1950 - Jack Grossman

1950-1952 - D.E. Craimer

1952-1954 - Samuel Singer

1955-1956 - D.E. Craimer

1956-1957 - Clive Copeland

1957-1965 - Carl Grossman

1965-1967 - Maurice Taylor

1967-1968 - Carl Grossman

1968-1979 - Jack Gardie

1979-1985 - Simon P. Morris

1985-1986 - Martin D. Morris

1986-1987 - H. Sydney Morris

1987-2000 - Harry Slann

2000-2011 - Rafael (Rae) Elias & H. Sydney Morris

2011-2017 - Rafael (Rae) Elias

2017-2021 - Dr. Alison Knight

2021-present - Simon Turk


Registrar / Secretary for Marriages

1875 - Charles Jacob appointed(xcix)

1883 - Adolph Alexander appointed(c)

1936-1944 - Joseph B. Blain

1944-1960 - Joshua (Joe) Sumberg

1960-1961 - Carl Grossman

1961-1966 - Raymond Myers

1966-2011 - H. Sydney Morris

2011-present - Martin D. Morris

Membership Data:

Board of Deputies Returns - number of seatholders(ciii)

1875

1880

1890

1894

1900

35

30

30

40

35

Jewish Year Books(civ)

1896

1900

1903

1905

40

21

47

73

Reports & Survey(cv)

1977 - 51 male (or household) members and 13 female members

1983 - 42 male (or household) members and 18 female members

1990 - 42 members (comprising 18 households, 11 individual male and 13 individual female members)

1996 - 29 members (comprising 7 households, 12 individual male and 10 individual female members)

2001 - 34 members (comprising 15 households, 11 individual male and 8 individual female members)

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

Charitable Status:

The congregation, under the name Stoke-on-Trent Hebrew Congregation, is a registered charity (no. 232104), registered on 30 March 1965 (standard registration).(cvi)

Registration Districts:

Stoke-on-Trent: Stoke on Trent, since 1 January 1935(cvii)

Newcastle-under-Lyme: Staffordshire, since 1 October 2008(cviii)


JCR-UK is extremely grateful to Mr. Martin D. Morris, president of the congregation, for the assistance and information provided by him in preparing the above lists of officers of the congregation.


Search the All-UK Database

The records in the database associated with Hanley and the other districts of Stoke-on-Trent and with Newcastle-under-Lyme include:

  • 1851 Anglo Jewry Database (as of the 2016 update)

    • Individuals in the '1851" database who were living in:
      Hanley       during the 1810s (1 records), 1820s (3 records), 1830s (9 records), 1840s (13 records), 1850s (7 records) and 1850s (7 records); and
      Newcastle-under-Lyme during the 1810s (5 records), 1820s (6 records), 1830s (6 records), 1840s (6 records), 1850s (15 records), 1860s (4 records), 1870s (3 records), 1880s (1 record) and 1890s (1 record).

  • UK Jewish Communal Leaders Database - Stoke and Hanley records:

    • Jewish Directory for 1874 and Jewish Year Book 1896/7 (records of 10 individuals); and

    • JCR-UK Listings (records of 111 individuals - as of the March 2024 update).

 

Online Articles, Photographs and Other Material
relating to the Stoke on Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme

on JCR-UK

See below for On-line Articles relating to the community's Jewish cemetery.

on Third Party websites

 

Notable Jewish Connections with Stoke-on-Trent

(courtesy Steven Jaffe)

  • Sam Finer served as Professor of Political Institutions at the new University College of North Staffordshire (now Keele University) from 1950 to 1966. His son Jem Finer (b. 1955 in Stoke-on-Trent ) was a founding member of The Pogues.

  • Goddard Lieberson (1911-1977), the president of Columbia Records from 1956 to 1971 and again from 1973 to 1975, was born in Stoke-on-trent. He became president of the Recording Industry Association of America in 1964 and was also a composer.

  • Jacob Morris Rich (b. 1897), editor of The Jewish Chronicle from 1931 to 1936 and a communal leader in Britain and later South Africa, was born in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

  • Lucy Rokach, a professional poker player and commentator, is from Stoke-on-Trent.

  • Ruth Smeeth (b.1979 in Edinburgh) was MP for Stoke-on-Trent North from 2015 to 2019.

  • Sir Barnett Stross (1899-1967), a doctor and medical campaigner on behalf of the Pottery workers, was Labour MP for Hanley and then Stoke-on-Trent Central from 1945 to 1966. He led the humanitarian campaign against Nazi atrocities, "Lidice Shall Live", launched in Hanley in 1942.

  • David Sumberg (b 1941), Conservative MP for Bury South from 1983 to 1997 and Member of the European Parliament for the North West England region from 1999 to 2009, was born in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

Other Stoke-on-Trent Jewish Institutions & Organisations(cxx)

Educational & Theological

  • Hebrew and Religious Classes (founded 1887), headmaster: the congregation's minister
    Number of pupils:

    1901

    1903

    1923

    22

    50

    25

Welfare Organisations

  • Hebrew (later Jewish) Philanthropic Society (founded 1902)
    Objects: to assist local poor by (a) free grants of money; and (b) loans free of interest.

  • Ladies' Benevolent Society (founded 1895)(cxxi)
    Objects: to relieve poor Jewish women during sickness.

  • War Distress Fund (founded by 1915)

Benefit & Friendly Societies

  • Hanley Jewish Benefit Society (founded 1893)(cxxii)
    For 3d (£0.0125) members were entitled to medical attention and shiva benefits. Provision was also made for the due carrying out of all religious rites in the province of a Chevra Kadisha.(cxxii)

  • Sick, Burial, and Benefit Society (founded 1892).
     Objects: (a) Free medical attendance; (b) 21/- (£1.05) benefit during shiva and Chevra Kadisha; and (c) Advancing loans up to £3 without interest.

  • Order Achi Brith and Shield of Abraham - Dr. J.L. Landau Lodge No. 18 (founded by 1931)

Literary and Zionist Organisations

  • Jewish Literary and Social Society (from at least 1917 until at least 1956), probable successor to:

    • Hanley Literary and Debating Society (from by 1906 until at least 1913)

    • Hanley Jewish Literary and Zionist Society (founded by 1903 until at least 1905)

    • Mutual Improvement Society (founded 1893)(cxxiii)
      Main object: to arrange for the periodical delivery of debates, papers, and lectures on Hebrew subjects.(cxxiii)

Miscellaneous Institutions

  • The Jews' Hospital and Orphan Asylum established in about 1901 a home in Stoke-on-Trent for Jewish boys to be apprenticed in the Potteries.(cxxiv)

  • Funds for the Relief of Polish (later German) Jewry

  • Jewish Ex-Servicemen's Association

  • JNF Commission

  • Jewish Green Room Club (about 1933 and 1934)

  • Stoke-on-Trent Refugee Aid Committee (founded by 1940 until at least 1947)

 

Jewish Cemetery Information

The Jewish cemetery for both Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme is situated in Newcastle-under-Lyme:

  • The London Road Cemetery, Jewish Section, also known as the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Hebrew Cemetery, London Road, Newcastle-on-Lyme ST4.
    The Hanley Borough Council had opposed a request to have part of the municipal cemetery set aside for Jewish burials and a national campaign was launched against such refusal. At the height of the struggle, the Duke of Sutherland "sold" this acre of land to the Jewish community for a "pepper-corn" sum of £1 and the Hanley Council on 18 January 1883 subsequently granted permission for such land to be a Jewish burial ground.(cxxx) The first recorded burial took place on 25 May 1884.(cxxxi)
    The synagogue is now adjacent to the cemetery.

    Articles and Other Material on JCR-UK:

(For some additional information, see also IAJGS Cemeteries Project - Newcastle-under-Lyme)

 

Jewish Population Data
(Hanley to 1922, Stoke-on-Trent from 1945)
1896

40 families

(The Jewish Year Book 1896/7)
1898

47 Families

(The Jewish Year Book 1898/9)
1903

70 families

(The Jewish Year Book 1903/4)
1922

40 families

(The Jewish Year Book 1923)
1945

190

(The Jewish Year Book 1945/6)
1952

200

(The Jewish Year Book 1953)
1969

100

(The Jewish Year Book 1970)
1984

60

(The Jewish Year Book 1985)
1986

40

(The Jewish Year Book 1987)
1989

30

(The Jewish Year Book 1990)
2007

26

(The Jewish Year Book 2008)

 

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i) and (ii) Reserved.

  • (iii) Listed under this name in Jewish Year Books from 2004. ↵

  • (iv) This change of name was approved at a general meeting of the congregation held on 12 March 1927. The congregation was listed under Hanley in Jewish Year Books until 1927. ↵

  • (v) Jewish Chronicle report of 17 March 2006. ↵

  • (vi) A Modern History of Jewish Settlement in the Potteries, p.8. ↵

  • (vii) Article by Martin Morris on Jewish Small Communities Network website. ↵

  • (viii) A Modern History of Jewish Settlement in the Potteries, p.8 and Jewish Chronicle reports of 21 March 1873 and 24 September 1874. This was the address listed in Jewish Year Books until 1924. ↵

  • (ix) Jewish Chronicle reports of 11 October 1872 and 11 April 1873. ↵

  • (x) Brief History of the congregation. ↵

  • (xi) The 1872 date is confirmed by the Jewish Directory of 1974. The Jewish Year Books give the 1873 date, which is date when the congregation purchased the premises in Hanover Street and is also the date engraved on the gates of the congregation's cemetery in Newcastle-under-Lyme. ↵

  • (xii) Reserved.

  • (xiii) Jewish Chronicle report of 27 June 1890. ↵

  • (xiv) Jewish Chronicle report of 18 May 1883. ↵

  • (xv) Listed as reader and shochet in the Jewish Directory of 1974. The Jewish Chronicle of 25 September 1874 referred to Rev. Mr. Harris, "formerly of Hanley", acted successfully as chazan of the Exeter Congregation and The Jewish Chronicle of 12 September 1884 referred to him as having left Hanley more than 12 Months previously, although the congregation advertised for a replacement in 1883. ↵

  • (xvi) Jewish Chronicle of 1 November 1878 described as the local minister. ↵

  • (xvii) In 1883 the Jewish Chronicle reported Rev. Claff as conducting the service at the opening of the synagogue at Burslem amd was described as the "minister of the United congregations". ↵

  • (xviii) Various Jewish Chronicle reports commencing 31 October 1884. ↵

  • (xix) Various Jewish Chronicle reports. Rev. Sumberg was listed as minister of the congregation in the first Jewish Year Book (published 1896/7). ↵

  • (xx) Jewish Chronicle reports of 3 March 1893 (appointment) and 7 July 1893 (move to Swansea). ↵

  • (xxi) Reserved.

  • (xxii) Jewish Chronicle report of 15 September 1893 (Rev. Morris Rosenbaum's appointment - Note: half his £100 salary was paid by the Provincial Jewish Ministers' Fund - Jewish Chronicle of 21 July 1893) and 8 June 1894 (move to Newcastle). ↵

  • (xxiii) Jewish Chronicle of 25 December 1896 (appointment), Rev. Berner was listed as minister in Jewish Year Book 1897/8 ↵

  • (xxiv) Rev. Levy was listed as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1998/9 through 1902/2 and as reader of the congregation in the editions from 1903/4 through 1922 (except for the 1920 edition), although it is assumed that he became reader when Rev. Bensky was appointed minister in 1901. He is also mentioned in various Jewish Chronicle reports from 1899 to 1915. ↵

  • (xxv) Jewish Chronicle of 10 January 1902 reported on Rev. Bensky preaching his inaugural sermon at Hanley. He is listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1903/4 through 1921, except for the editions 1905/6 and 1906/7. He joined Southport in 1922. ↵

  • (xxvi) Rev. Goodman was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1905/6 and 1906/7. ↵

  • (xxvii) Based upon Rev. Miller's listing as reader of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1920. ↵

  • (xxviii) Reserved.

  • (xxix) Based upon Rev. Rabbinovitch's listing as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Books from 1922. ↵

  • (xxx) Jewish Chronicle of 27 July 1922 reported that Rev. Devons of Coventry, has accepted a "call" from the Hanley Congregation to serve as chazan, teacher, and shochet and would enter upon his duties on 28 August. He died in office (death notice Jewish Chronicle 17 December 1926) He was listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Books 1923 through 1927. ↵

  • (xxxi) Rev. S. Isaacs was listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Books 1928 through 1933. He died in office (Jewish Chronicle report of 7 April 1933 - "The passing of the Rev. Samuel Isaacs, for several years Chazan-Shochet of the Hanley Hebrew Congregation, is a veritable calamity to Hanley Jewry"). ↵

  • (xxxii) The son of Rev. S. Isaacs, Rev. M. Isaac was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1937 through 1945/6 ↵

  • (xxxiii) and (xxxiv) Reserved.

  • (xxxv) Rev. Landau was listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1947. The Jewish Chronicle of 5 September 1947 reported on a farewell kiddush in his honour, after nearly two years with the community, to take office in Llandudno. ↵

  • (xxxvi) The Jewish Chronicle obituary of 3 February 1956. Rev. Starr was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1950 through 1956. ↵

  • (xxxvii) Rev. Greenstein was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1956 through 1962. A Jewish Chronicle report of 19 July 1963 refers to him serving six years in Stoke. ↵

  • (xxxviii) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 May 1968 reported that "for the past five years the Rev. H. Berman officiated at synagogue services and supervised the kosher meat shop" has left Stoke for Bournemouth and no replacement has been found. ↵

  • (xxxix) to (xli) Reserved.

  • (xlii) Jewish Chronicle report of 16 January 1885 - appointed under the Jewish Provincial Ministers’ Fund. He moved to Sunderland in 1888. ↵

  • (xliii) Jewish Chronicle report of 4 October 1889. ↵

  • (xliv) Jewish Chronicle report of 7 March 1890. ↵

  • (xlv) Jewish Chronicle reports of 13 March 1896 (appointment) and 13 December 1901 (farewell). ↵

  • (xlvi) Reserved.

  • (xlvii) Images of the plaques can be viewd HERE, on JCR-UK ↵

  • (xlviii) Where a person is first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it has been assumed that, as the congregation's annual election of officers appears to have taken place late in the year, such officer's term of office commenced in the year prior to 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 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 1915 through 1918, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1913 and continued in office until 1917. 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. ↵

  • (xlix) J. Solomon is first referred to as president in the Jewish Directory of 1874 and the Jewish Chronicle report of 14 August 1874 and was still shown as president in a Jewish Chronicle report of 10 September 1875. In 1879 he was elected "for the third time" - Jewish Chronicle report of 1 November 1878. He was however elected (as warden, no president named) at the 1881 AGM, reported in the Jewish Chronicle of 2 September 1881. However, a Jewish Chronicle report of 26 November 1875 refers to Aaron Price as president. ↵

  • (l) Referred to as president in Jewish Chronicle of 26 November 1875. ↵

  • (li) Elected president at the 1880 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 24 September 1880. ↵

  • (lii) W. Aaronsberg was a neutral appointment, following a split in the community - Jewish Chronicle reports of 18 May 1883 and 25 May 1883 ↵

  • (liii) Jewish Chronicle report of 14 March 1884 refers to C. Jacobs resignation as president. ↵

  • (liv) Jewish Chronicle report of 14 March 1884 on S. Goldstone's election. ↵

  • (lv) Jewish Chronicle report of 15 May 1885 on C. Jacobs's election. However, by late 1886, he had moved to Nottingham (Jewish Chronicle report of 10 December 1886). ↵

  • (lvi) and (lvii) Reserved.

  • (lviii) Jewish Chronicle report of 17 June 1887 refers to the steady improvement in the congregation under the management of Mr. Epstein, president. ↵

  • (lix) Jewish Chronicle report of 10 December 1888 refers to S. Goldstone's re-election as president. ↵

  • (lx) Jewish Chronicle report of 1 October 1893 refers to L. Goldberg's election as president for the sixth time (although this does not exactly tie in with L. Goldsone's re-election in 1888). He is still listed as president in the first Jewish Year Book (1896/97). ↵

  • (lxi) M. Epstein was elected president at the 1896 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 16 October 1896. He is listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1897/8 and 1898/9. ↵

  • (lxii) S. Greenberg served as president until the 1901 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 8 November 1901. He is listed as president in Jewish Year Books 1899/1900 through 1901/2. ↵

  • (lxiii) Also spelled Rottenberg. He was elected president at the 1901 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 8 November 1901. He is listed as president in the Jewish Year Books 1902/3. ↵

  • (lxiv) Also spelled J. Stulkoff and I. Shulkop, believed to be the same person. ↵

  • (lxii) Reserved.

  • (lxvi) The Jewish Directory of 1874. ↵

  • (lxvii) C. Jacobs was elected as treasurer "for the third time" in 1878 - Jewish Chronicle report of 1 November 1878. ↵

  • (lxviii) "H. Jacobs" was elected treasurer at the 1880 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 24 September 1880. However, the initial "H" could have been an error for a "C". ↵

  • (lxix) J. Alexander was elected treasurer at the 1881 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 2 September 1881. There is no further data on the treasurer until 1884 ↵

  • (lxx) and (lxxi) Reserved.

  • (lxxii) A. Price was elected treasurer and hon. secretary at the 1884 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 14 March 1884. ↵

  • (lxxiii) G. Woolf was elected treasurer at a special meeting in 1885 - Jewish Chronicle report of 15 May 1885. ↵

  • (lxxiv) Jewish Chronicle report of 17 June 1887 refers to the steady improvement in the congregation under the current management including J. Finn as treasurer. ↵

  • (lxxv) L. Goldberg was elected treasurer at a general meeting in 1888 - Jewish Chronicle report of 10 December 1888 and by 1889, he was elected as president. ↵

  • (lxxvi) and (lxxvii) Reserved.

  • (lxxviii) S. Gershon was elected treasurer "for the third year" in October 1892 - Jewish Chronicle report of 21 October 1892. However, as M. Epstein appears to have been first elected as treasurer in 1892, it is assumed that S. Gershon ceased to hold such post before the end of 1892. ↵

  • (lxxix) M. Epstein was elected treasurer "for the second time" in 1893 - Jewish Chronicle report of 1 October 1893, which indicates that he may have initially been elected in 1892. He was listed as treasurer in the first Jewish Year Book (1896/7). ↵

  • (lxxx) Also spelled Rottenberg. He was elected treasurer at the 1896 AGM (Jewish Chronicle report of 16 October 1896) and stood down at the 1901 AGM, when he was elected president (Jewish Chronicle report of 8 November 1901). He was listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Book 1897/8 through 1901/02. ↵

  • (lxxxi) J. Rich was elected treasurer at the 1901 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 8 November 1901. He was not listed as treasurer in Jewish Year Books (the office being shown as vacant in the 1902/03 edition). ↵

  • (lxxxii) Also spelled Salcow, believed to be the same person. ↵

  • (lxxxiii) and (lxxxiv) Reserved.

  • (lxxxv) The Jewish Directory of 1874. ↵

  • (lxxxvi) M. Epstein was elected hon. secretary at a special meeting in 1883 - Jewish Chronicle report of 25 May 1883. ↵

  • (lxxxvii) A. Price was elected treasurer and hon. secretary at the 1884 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 14 March 1884. ↵

  • (lxxxviii) N. Ornstein was elected hon. secretary at a special meeting held in 1885 - Jewish Chronicle report of 15 May 1885. ↵

  • (lxxxix) M.D. Price was elected hon. secretary at a general meeting held in 1888 - Jewish Chronicle report of 12 October 1888. ↵

  • (xc) Also spelled Rottenberg. Although he was listed as hon. secretary in the first two Jewish Year Books (1896/7 and 1897/8), as it appears that U. Shapiro served as hon. secretary from at least 1896 (see below), it is presumed that Rotenberg served as hon. secretary a little earlier. ↵

  • (xci) and (xcii) Reserved.

  • (xciii) Although he was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1898/9, as it appears that U. Shapero served as hon. secretary from at least 1896 (see below), it is presumed that (as with Rotenberg) he served a little earlier. ↵

  • (xciv) U. Shapiro served as hon. secretary at the 1896 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 16 October 1896. He is not however listed as hon. secretary in Jewish Year Books until 1899/1900 and 1900/1. ↵

  • (xcv) C. Sumberg served as hon. secretary at the 1901 AGM - Jewish Chronicle report of 8 November 1901. He was not however listed as hon. secretary in Jewish Year Books during this period. ↵

  • (xcvi) to (xcviii) Reserved.

  • (xcv) Jewish Chronicle of 17 December 1875 reported on the appointment of C. Jacobs as Secretary for Marriages. ↵

  • (c) Mr. Alexander was elected registrar at a special meeting held in 1883 - Jewish Chronicle of 25 May 1883. ↵

  • (ci) and (cii) Reserved.

  • (ciii) Taken from papers prepared by Prof. Aubrey Newman for a conference on Provincial Jewry in Victorian Britain, held on 6 July 1975. ↵

  • (civ) As listed in the relevant Jewish Year Book. ↵

  • (cv) 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. ↵

  • (cvi) Charities Commission website, accessed 30 March 2022. ↵

  • (cvii) Previous Registration Districts: Stoke upon Trent - from 1 July 1837 to 1 July 1922; and Stoke & Wolstanton - from 1 July 1922 to 1 January 1935. All registers would now be held by the current office. ↵

  • (cviii) Previous Registration District: Newcastle under Lyme - from 1 July 1837 to 1 July 1922. All registers would now be held by the current office. ↵

  • (cix) to (cxix) Reserved.

  • (cxx) Unless otherwise stated, all data, including dates of founding, are as stated in Jewish Year Books (or based upon the first appearance in Jewish Year Books). ↵

  • (cxxi) Jewish Chronicle report of 10 May 1895. ↵

  • (cxxii) Jewish Chronicle report of 22 December 1893. ↵

  • (cxxiii) Jewish Chronicle report of 28 April 1893. ↵

  • (cxxiv) Jewish Chronicle report of 1 March 1901 ↵

  • (cxxv) to (cxxix) Reserved.

  • (cxxx) Jewish Chronicle report of 26 January 1883 and A Modern History of Jewish Settlement in the Potteries, p.5. ↵

  • (cxxxi) The first recoded burial was of Esther Glaff, probably the wife of Rev. Moses Glaff - A Modern History of Jewish Settlement in the Potteries, p.5. ↵

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Page created: 2 March 2005
Data significantly expanded: 1 January 2017
Data further significantly expanded and notes first added: 14 March 2022
Page most recently amended: 19 April 2024

Formatting and research by David Shulman

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