For sale — shuls from once thriving congregations
THE HIGH Holy-Days see synagogues in major areas full to capacity. In stark contrast, shul buildings in once thriving communities are up for sale, with online viewing on websites such as Rightmove.
Former shuls in Sunderland, Blackpool and Merthyr Tydfil are currently on the market. At its peak in the 19th century, the Merthyr Tydfil community was the largest in Wales, with 400 congregants. However, the Gothic building — described by Jewish Heritage UK as “architecturally speaking one of the most important synagogues in the UK” — closed in the 1980s when it could no longer muster a minyan.
In recent times, it has variously served as a Christian study centre and a gym. It is being advertised at £295,000, with planning consent to convert the property into nine apartments.
Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation closed in 2012 when the town’s shrinking Orthodox community merged with the nearby St Anne’s congregation.
The Grade II listed building was sold, but the purchasing developer decided to use only the rear of the property to build a block of flats. The front is up for sale at £130,000, marketed as a “healthcare facility”.
Sunderland Synagogue’s Ryhope Road building dates back to 1928. At the time of its dedication, the community was some 250 families strong. However, there was a sharp decline in numbers in the 1970s and 80s, culminating in the move of the Sunder- land Yeshiva to Gateshead in 1990. By the Millennium, only 30 families remained.
The synagogue closed in 2006, with demolition prevented by its Grade II status. At the time, the reported it had been sold “within the Jewish com- munity”. However, it has this year been listed for sale online for “offers in the region of £239,000”, described as “ripe for residential development subject to planning consent”.
Dr Sharman Kadish, director of Jewish Heritage UK, reported better pros- pects for historic shuls “like Princes Road in Liverpool and Birmingham Singers Hill Synagogue, which have had a new lease of life”.
It was important to maintain such buildings for Jewish continuity and heritage, she added.