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| 26/1/2018 | ||
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£30k needed to record history of South Wales community
AN appeal has been launched by the Jewish History Association of South Wales to trace the history and heritage of the community over the past 250 years.
The recently-formed group needs to raise £30,000 to continue its initial
work and retain the services of an experienced project manager.
Donations have been made by the Swansea Hebrew Congregation, the
Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, Cardiff Reform Synagogue and the
charity Pencare.
One anonymous well-wisher has offered to match funding for future
donations up to £5,000.
Chairman David Lermon said: “Our aim is to record oral testimonies
and memories of Jewish life in communities in all areas of south
Wales, as well as the digitisation of CAJEX magazine, which flourished
from 1950 to 1991, in order to make it widely available.
“There will also be a website to signpost all available resources,
visual and oral, and an attempt to record all Jewish artefacts in
public collections throughout South Wales.”
Swansea’s Jewish burial ground dates from 1768, making it the
earliest physical evidence of Jews in Wales.
The Cardiff community began in the 1840s and there remain two
synagogues, Orthodox and Reform, but with falling and ageing memberships.
Over the years, communities flourished in mining and industrial
towns, such as Merthyr (1848), Pontypridd (1867), Newport (1869),
Brynmawr (1889), Tredegar (1874) and Llanelli (1902).
There has also been at least one Nobel Prize winner in Brian Josephson
(physics).
“There is likely to be a need for volunteers with relevant skills
and sufficient time.
“Work started this month recording oral testimonies under the
guidance of experienced project manager Klavdija Erzen.”
The committee also includes Tony Blasebalk, Lisa Gerson, Laurence
Kahn, Leonard Mars, treasurer John Minkes, Melody Odey and secretary
Stanley Soffa.
To help, phone Mr Lermon on 07557 799933. Email david@lermon.org
or klavdija.erzen@jhasw.org.uk
Donations via cheque and payable to JHASW can be sent to the treasurer
John Minkes at 60 Barons Court Road, CF23 9DG. Donations can be
subject to Gift Aid.
School reunion
GEOFF Courtney is trying to find an old classmate for a school
reunion.
Michael Cohen was a pupil at Highland’s Primary School in Ilford
in the early-1950s and subsequently at Bancroft’s School in Woodford
Green from 1955 until 1962.
Geoff, who started a career in journalism in 1961, believes Michael
was at one time a lecturer/professor at Swansea University.
Email geoffcourtney@btconnect.com
Pollie’s death
MARSHA Gilbert, of Oregon, is searching for the family of Pollie
Cohen, who died on September 19, 1912, at 17 Crimbles Street, Leeds.
Pollie was the sister of Nurse Cohen, Dan Cohen, Joe Cohen and
Jack Cohen. She was married to Nathan Myers and lived in Harrogate.
Marsha is also trying to get back in touch with Sonia Tobias.
She was in contact with her but her email address no longer works.
Sonia is the niece of Fay Cohen Balsam.
She is also looking for Hazel and Darryl Lipke.
Email firstwife22@hotmail.com
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Members and clergy of Cardiff’s Jewish community in 1920. Among them are: Abe Schwartz, JE Rivlin, Rev Harris Jerevitch, Rev Gershon Grey, MJ Cohen, the Rabbi of Newport, Rev Harris Hamburg, Alter Rivlin and Rabbi Grunitz
BYGONE DAYS: Louis Hamburg outside Cathedral Road Synagogue,
Cardiff, in October 1962