Artist Jules found his inspiration in silktown
As part of an exhibition which celebrates Macclesfield’s Jewish history, curator Basil Jeuda shares some of his favourite stories
THIS is a delightful photograph of Julius Judah (Jules) Weinberg taken on the occasion of his Barmitzvah (Confirmation) in 1938 at a Synagogue in Stepney in the East End of London. He is wearing a traditional prayer shawl.
His uncle, Conrad Applebaum, moved up from London in the autumn of 1940 to continue working as a presser for the Jewish firm, H&I Franklin, who had relocated from London to Henderson Street Mill.
By 1942, the Weinberg family, along with their relatives the Applebaums, mainly speaking yiddish, had all been evacuated from London and were billeted in cramped conditions in Chestergate and Derby Street.
Jules’ father, a shoemaker in London, retrained as a presser and his sister Rosina (“Rose” as she is still affectionately known throughout the town) worked at Franklins, and then at another Jewish firm, Offenbachs. On arrival in Macclesfield, Jules also worked at Franklins where he learnt design and cutting of ladies’ clothes, before moving to another relocated Jewish firm, Osbands, Showing exceptional talent as an artist age, Jules studied at the Macclesfield College of Art, and had his paintings hung at the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and at West Park Museum in 1944.
He had his own Exhibition at West Park in the spring of 1946. He later set up his own business as a dress designer and dress maker at a “salon” on Park Lane. He died prematurely in 1965 and his married daughter lives in Macclesfield. A prominent feature of the forthcoming Exhibition at Charles Roe House will be 38 of his paintings and sketches, 20 of his patterns, and some delightful poems.
What a talent….