Record of speech and prayer delivered to Newport (MON) Hebrew Congregation on the induction of Reverend David Braunold at Queen's Hill Crescent synagogue on 15 June 1975

Description

Record of speech and prayer delivered to Newport (MON) Hebrew Congregation on the induction of the "young Minister", David Braunold, carried out by Rabbi Cofnas, at Queen's Hill Crescent synagogue on 15 June 1975. The speech refers to the "hard task" before the new Rev. Braunold and sets out the qualities needed to be a minister for the congregation. In particular, there is a request that he focus on the instruction of children in Jewish history, religion and language. The speech also records the role already taken by Rev. Braunold in the "gentile community of Newport" and commends the active part taken by his wife, Helen Braunold, in the affairs of the community, the Ladies' Guild and the Women's International Zionist Organization.

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;
Newspaper clipping, presumably from the South Wales Argus, hand dated 15 June 1975.

Depository: Gwent Archives.