JCR-UK

the former

Montefiore Centenary Synagogue

& Tredegar Jewish Community

Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, South Wales

 

 

   
 

Page created: 23 August 2005
Latest revision or update: 23 August 2017

Town of Tredegar

Tredegar, a town in the Valleys of South Wales, is located at the north end of the river Sirhowy valley, about 1,000 feet above sea level. It lies about 30 miles north of Cardif, some 9 miles east of Merthyr Tydfil and 5 miles south of Brynmawr. (Not to be confused with with New Tredegar, which lies some 6 miles to the south.)

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

Tredegar Jewish Community

The Tredegar Jewish community dates back to at least the 1870s, when a Jewish congregation was established. In 1911, the town's Jewish community was the victims of an anti-Jewish riot, when the rioters rampaged through any property having Jewish connections in Tredegar. Windows were broken and shops were plundered and destroyed, but there were no injuries (see Tredegar Anti-Jewish Riots of 1911). Nevertheless, the Jews continued to live and trade in the town and harmony was re-established with their non-Jewish neighbours. By the 1940's, the number of Jews in the Tredegar had dwindled to the extent that communal services could no longer be held. There was also a Jewish community in New Tredegar.

 

Congregation Data

Name:

Montefiore Centenary Synagogue, Tredegar

Address:

Morgan Street, Tredegar. (In the 1870's the synagogue was temporarily situated in Queen Street)

Date Founded:

1872/3 (congregation reorganised and new synagogue opened and consecrated 1884)

Current Status:

Closed for regular services about 1944. Sold in about 1954 and became a private home.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Minister

Rev S. Shyman - 1873 (first minister)

Membership Data:

1874  -  15 members (The Jewish Directory, A. Myers, 1874) or 21 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1880  -  20 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1890  -  23 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1895  -  20 seatholders (The Jewish Year Books 1896/7)

1900  -  15 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

Cemetery Information:

There is no Jewish cemetery in Tredegar, the closest being in Brynmawr and Merthyr Tydfil.

 

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

on JCR-UK

on third parties' websites

 

 

Other Tredegar Jewish Institutions & Organisations

Educational & Theological

  • Hebrew Classes (founded 1880)

Other Institutions & Organisations

Formed by 1900*

  • Tredegar Hebrew Benevolent Society (founded 1873) for affording relief to poor Jewish residents, strangers, etc.

  • Branch of Orphan Aid Society (founded 1890).

  • Branch of Poor Aid Society (founded 1893) for relief to Jewish itinerant poor (may have replaced the Hebrew Benevolent Society).

* As listed in the Jewish Year Books 1896 & 1900.

 

Tredegar Jewish Population Data

1874

60

(The Jewish Directory, A. Myers, 1874)

1896

102

(The Jewish Year Book 1895/6)

1919

175

(The Jewish Year Book 1920)

1946

39

(The Jewish Year Book 1947)


Former Jewish Communities in the county borough of Blaenau Gwent home page


Jewish Congregations in the former county of Monmouthshire

Jewish Congregations in Wales, according to current unitary authorities

Jewish Communities & Congregations in Wales home page

 

 

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