Service Agreement between the Newport Mon. Hebrew Congregation and Reverend Reuben Fisher, 30 December 1965

Description

This folder contains a Service Agreement between the President of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, George Bryant Elliot, and Reverend Reuben Fisher for the office of Reader and Headmaster of Hebrew Classes at the congregation. The document states that Reuben Fisher, referred to as 'the Official', will start at the congregation on 25 August 1964 as Reader and Headmaster of the Hebrew classes and that his salary will be £20 a week. It also contains information on his pension and life insurance. It states that the congregation will provide a house for him and his family. It is stated that he will not take other employment or be absent without consent from the congregations Council and a medical certificate must be provided for absence due to illness. He is also not to live more than 1 mile from the synagogue. There is further information on hispwn contributions to his pension and assurance policies. It is also stated that in the case of misconduct or neglect or breach of duties the matter may be brought to the Presidents attention for consideration of suspension from duties. It is stated that the agreement may be terminated with three months notice by himself or the congregation. The agreement is signed by Reuben Fisher and signed by a witness who is Peter Fligelstone.

Reverend Reuben Fisher served the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation from 1964 until 1974 when he emigrated to Australia.

Newport Monmouthshire Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1859 by orthodox Jews meeting at a temporary synagogue in Llanarth Street. A synagogue at Francis Street was opened in 1869 and consecrated by the Chief Rabbi Dr Herman Adler in 1871. In 1934 the congregation moved to their Nathan Harris Memorial Hall in Queen's Hill which was converted to a synagogue. In 1997 this synagogue was closed, and the congregation moved to their Prayer House by the Jewish Burial Ground on Risca Road. Within 20 years the congregation had dwindled to a few members able to attend and this too had ceased to hold services.

Sources:
"History of our Shul. The First Hundred Years", published by Newport Congregation in 1959;
Oral history interviews with members of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, recorded in 2018 by JHASW;
Information about Reuben Fisher has come from letters written by himself and the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation.

Depository: Gwent Archives.