This is a beautiful building which, when I was lecturing in Local History, I was invited to visit. The Ark was opened and it's beautiful objects beheld. The windoes are lovely too making the inside a myriafd of reflected lights.
In 1276 when Grimsby was only a
small settlement, valued only for the
tidal creek of the River Humber, there
was mention of 'the Jew, Ben of
Grymesby' (sic) which demonstrates
the length of time members of the
Jewish faith have been living in the
area.
The Jewish cemetery, which I didn't realise existed, in Grimsby, was consecrated by the Reverends J.Goldsmith and B. Rosengard in March 1886,and the foundation stone for
the Sir Moses Montefiore Synagogue in Heneage Road, which still stands as a Grade II listed building, was laid in
July 1885, with the Synagogue finally opening in 1888.
The synagogue in Grimsby is situated in Heneage Road, which at one time was close to the centre of the busy fishing industry. Not far away was the fish docks and the
corporation docks, and it would have been surrounded by housing. It certainly would have been within 2000 cubits of many of the population in accordance with Jewish Law of
the Sabbath.
Members of the Jewish community have served on both Cleethorpes and Grimsby Councils and in 2001 President of the Synagogue Leo Solomon (who was once my music and maths teacher..I was in his choir)was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire for his involvement in community issues.
It still has a regular attendance. read more
