Plans for plaque in Worcester to remember Jewish community

But tracking down the exact location has been rather like a wander through the wilderness, because the search has been confusing. One theory placed the shul in High Street, while another put it in Pump Street.

Now, thanks to Worcester Civic Society’s comprehensive trawl through local Jewish writings, it turns out to have been at 2, New Street, a Grade II Listed semi detached property, which is currently occupied by a retro bar and a body piercing business.

Society chairman Phil Douce, said: “It took considerable research to place the synagogue at 2 New Street, but the Civic Society felt the Jewish involvement in Worcester over such a long period was a vital part of the city’s history and deserved to be recognised.

“As always the Society will arrange for the plaque to be made and it will be erected to coincide with Holocaust Day early next year.”

The first reference to Jews in Worcester was in 1154 when a few Jewish families are known to have lived here, earning their living by providing money-lending services to the local population.

In fact one, named Leo the Jew, lent money to the abbot of Pershore. But he found himself in prison after trying the make a forcible entry into Worcester’s hospital, presumably chasing a debt.

The right of Jews to live in Worcester was expressly confirmed by King Henry III who came to the throne in 1216 and there is evidence a Jewish Quarter may have been in the area of Cooken or Coken Street (now Copenhagen Street), in St. Andrew's parish where a Blue Plaque has already been placed.

However the Worcester Bishopric was hostile to the Jews, pushing for segregation between Jews and Christians, and eventually Jews were expelled from the city in 1275. The Jews of Worcester were finally expelled from England, as were all other Jews, in 1290.

It was 651 years later, in 1941, before the Jewish Chronicle announced the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Worcester. It was created to serve evacuees from London and Birmingham escaping the Nazi bombing during WW2.

Together with the British Jews, a number of Jewish refugees from Europe also settled in the city and integrated in the local economy. One example being the Milore Glove factory founded by Emil Rich, a refugee from Germany.

The Jewish evacuees and refugees were joined for the duration of the war by some American and Jewish servicemen from other countries who were stationed in the area. Services were held in the city and with the assistance of Rabbi Reuben Rabinowitz from the Central Synagogue in Birmingham, Hebrew classes for the children were begun.

At first services were held in temporary accommodation, but a synagogue was consecrated at 2 New Street in March 1943 by the Chief Rabbi of Britain. The opening ceremony was performed by Isaac Wolfson, a well known and successful businessman living in the Battenhall area of Worcester at the time.

Wolfson, who was later Knighted, was the head of Great Universal Stores, which included mail order giants Kay & Co. based in the city.

The synagogue appointed the Rev J. Rockman as reader and Hebrew teacher. The chairman of the community was Mr J. Zuck. The building incorporated a canteen and social rooms for servicemen and workers. The first barmitzvah, that of Stanley Davis, was held in Worcester in February 1943.

After the end of the war a majority of the members returned to their original larger Jewish communities. However, a small nucleus remained and continued to support the synagogue with regular services held and children’s classes organized.

In 1960, under of the guidance of the then chairman Dr Wolf Hirshow and vice chairman Mr A.J. Berger, an extensive reconstruction of the building was undertaken.

The synagogue continued to function until January 1973 but by that time it had become increasingly difficult to obtain a required number for services and the remaining members decided to vote the community out of existence.