Jewish History Association of Wales/Cymdeithas Hanes Iddewig Cymru

16/08/2026

Please share our free event, taking place in Conwy Culture Centre / Diwylliant Conwy Culture on 9th September. We would love to see you there.

Oes gennych chi ddiddordeb mewn hanes Iddewig lleol? 🔎 Mae Cymdeithas Hanes Iddewig Cymru yn eich gwahodd i lansiad eu harddangosfa newydd ddydd Mercher 9 Medi rhwng 12pm-2pm. 📜🏛️🖼️

Mae’n canolbwyntio ar deuluoedd a busnesau Iddewig Llandudno. Bydd sgwrs gan yr Athro Nathan Abrams hefyd a deunydd o’r archif i’w weld. 🎤

14/08/2026

It was a privilege today to support the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre as they gave a site visit at Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue to the descendants of Rev. Eli Bloom.

Rev. Bloom was reader and then minister of the congregation during the early decades of the 1900s. They donated this beautiful Daily Prayer Book from 1907. I have never seen another one like it.

I love my job!

13/08/2026

Join us for the launch of our exhibition on Wednesday 9th September at Conwy Culture Centre Diwylliant Conwy Culture.

From 12:00 - 2:00 pm, we will explore the Jewish history of Llandudno and view items held by Conwy Archives.

07/08/2026

Today, Coventry Transport Museum is holding a one day only showcase of die-cast Corgi toys spanning seven decades. Unfortunately their website is not advertising the event for a link.

I wonder if the exhibition will mention the Welsh-Jewish history of Mettoy, who launched the iconic Corgi toy range from their Fforestfach factory in 1956. Named for Corgi, the welsh dog breed, and their association with the Royal Family.

You can read their full story here on our Swansea Trail:
https://swansea.jhasw-heritage.com/trail.php?trail-id=47

03/08/2026

We are currently researching the kosher hotels and guesthouses which existed in Llandudno from the first recorded in 1871 to the Second World War and beyond. So far we have come across 21 addresses, an impressive number for a small seaside town.

Does anyone have any memories of the kosher accommodation in the area? See how many you can name - there might be a prize (mainly just kudos!)

Advert from The Jewish Chronicle, 01 June 1945.

15/07/2026

Sending the Salamon family our condolences on the passing of Laraine.

We are very sad to announce the passing of Laraine Salamon, wife of Wally Salamon, and mother of Steven Salamon.
We still have the collage hanging in the shop depicting our name that you made out of dried pulses when we first opened in Royal Arcade in 1981.
Rest in Peace Laraine ❤️

12/07/2026

Exciting opportunity for a funded postgraduate scholarship with the Jewish History Association of Wales.

Applications are open to anyone in the UK, and we welcome those who have taken a long break from academic study. This postgraduate degree can be undertaken online.

Please share this with your friends so we can reach as many potential applicants as possible.

With thanks to the Silver family for their generous bequest. See the full details here:

A £6,000 scholarship is being offered to the successful applicant

10/07/2026

I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of this book. Nathan Abrams has provided a fascinating insight into the relationship between Wales and Jews across the centuries. It has a plethora of eyebrow-raising "Well, I never knew that!" moments. It also shows that Wales did not exist in a vacuum and that, even during the medieval period, ideologies spread widely across continents.

It brings together some uncomfortable aspects of Welsh history, which have long been forgotten. His work calls for acknowledgement and discussion, challenging long-held beliefs and showing how we can make positive changes by bringing these stories into the light.

Thank you to Gaby Koppel for sharing this article with us.

Shining a spotlight on Jewish history in Cymru, from medieval times to Britain’s only antisemitic pogrom

09/07/2026

I came across this map in The Jewish Chronicle from 30 May 1930.

It shows the Welsh-Jewish communities, but misses out Colwyn Bay, which was not established until 1942. This synagogue was opened in response to the large number of Jewish evacuees who moved to North Wales from larger cities to escape bombing. Many returned home following the war, and the declining community eventually merged with Llandudno Hebrew Congregation in 1977.