Minute book for Ner Tamid Jewish Youth Club, Cardiff, 4 May 1994- 5 June 1996

Description

This minute book for Cardiff Reform Synagogue Ner Tamid Jewish Youth Club starts with an entry written on 4 May 1994; its last entry is dated 5 June 1996.

The meeting on 4 May 1994 was the first official meeting of the newly formed Ner Tamid Youth Group at Cardiff Reform Synagogue. The notes (images 1-3) report on previous preparatory meetings and consultations; structure of the group; public liability insurance; future meetings with Reform Zionist Youth (RSY) from London; Taff Trail bike ride; writing a newsletter; fundraising. It was agreed the Ner Tamid would be open to children aged 8 years plus from Cardiff Reform and Cardiff Orthodox communities. The membership was subscription based.

The minutes of subsequent meetings include setting up Ner Tamid bank account, and registering as a charity, RSY roadshow arrangements, planning social activities, e.g. pottery, ice skating, visiting the Cardiff fire station; jewellery making, and advertising in West Quest, CeNeS, and the Jewish Chronicle.

On 9 January 1995 Ner Tamid celebrated one year since the first gathering of the committee. The notes (images 4-5) from that meeting report that Ner Tamid has been given a grant from the Jewish Youth Fund in support of their activities.

In 1996, due to the drop in membership, the talks about Ner Tamid and Cardiff Maccabi Football Club merger started.

The last entry, dated 5 June 1996, reports that Executive Committee members' responsibilities need to be defined.

The addresses and telephone numbers of the Ner Tamid committee members are listed at the back of the book. Inserted in the minute book is a Chanukah Party list, undated.

The Cardiff Reform Synagogue was founded in 1948 as the Cardiff New Synagogue. The following year, it became a constituent member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. Born in reaction against the more restrictive traditions of the Orthodox Judaism of Cardiff Hebrew Congregation, such as the prohibition of driving on the Sabbath and the ban on interfaith marriages, the new Synagogue appealed to the immigrants who had fled the war-torn Europe, where the Reform movement was already well-established. The congregation worships in a converted Methodist Chapel on Moira Terrace they acquired in 1952.

Sources.
'The History of the Jewish Diaspora in Wales' by Cai Parry-Jones (http://e.bangor.ac.uk/4987).
JCR-UK/JewishGen (https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/card1/index.htm).

Depository: Glamorgan Archives.

• https://cardiffreformsynagogue.uk/new/ (link opens in new window)