Prince enjoys lesson in Welsh Jewish history
V THE PRINCE of Wales has visited the former synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil which the Foundation for Jewish Heritage is restoring as part of a long-term project to create a Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre.
He was shown around the Grade IIlisted site last Friday by leaders of the foundation and conservation architect Ashley Davies.
They told him the story of the Merthyr Jewish community and the heritage centre plans.
Foundation chief executive Michael Mail said the royal spent 50 minutes at the site, asking questions about Welsh Jewish history and what the heritage centre would contain.
“He also asked about the funding aspect and talked about his own interest and involvement in heritage preservation.” The visit “underscored the significance of the building. It is a unique Jewish and Welsh heritage site.”
The Prince additionally viewed images of the building’s interior when it served as a shul and artist impressions of the proposed centre.
At the conclusion of the visit, he was presented with a lino print of the building.
The synagogue was built in the 1870s and used as such until 1983.
It was then sold and used subsequently for various purposes.
However, when the foundation purchased the building in 2019, it had been unoccupied for 13 years and its condition had deteriorated to the extent that it was formally designated as “at risk” by Cadw, the Welsh government’s historic environment service.
Cadw provided half the funding for the urgent repairs carried out last year.
More recently, a business plan for the heritage centre was completed in preparation for a submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
As well as showcasing the 250-plus years of Jewish life around the nation, the centre will serve as a cultural venue and promote interfaith dialogue in Wales.
Project leaders are in regular contact with The Prince’s Foundation, which is assisting the venture.
The visit underscored the building’s significance as a heritage site’