Letter sent to members of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation discussing potential butcher changes, Newport, 1959

Description

This document is a letter sent from the honorary secretary to the members of the Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation dated April 1959. The subject discussed is the potential appointment of a new butcher. Detailed are the results of an extraordinary general meeting, the numbers of those in attendance, and the decision to hold a card vote. Due to a shortage of beef from the existing butcher based in Newport, two butchers in Cardiff were duly approached to possibly take over the role. A final alternative is presented; that no changes are made and a lack of beef is to be accepted by members of the congregation. The prospect of additional expenses are stressed, as well as the request to promptly select the ideal course of action.

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 the 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 the 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.

Depository: Gwent Archives.