Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation

In 1290 anti-Jewish feeling in England led to the expulsion of all Jews from the country. In the seventeenth century a small number of Jews arrived in London, fleeing persecution by the Inquisition in Spain. They outwardly behaved as Christians while holding secret prayer meetings; and began to petition Protector Oliver Cromwell for the official re-admittance of Jews to England. Eventually their petition was successful and the first official Jewish place of worship was opened in Creechurch Lane, London, in 1656. This building soon became too small and in 1695 work began on a new synagogue, to be situated on Bevis Marks Street, around the corner from Creechurch Lane. The building was opened in September 1701.

Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries immigrants joined the Congregation, coming from Portugal (known as Marranos) or from Jewish communities elsewhere including Spain, Holland, France, Italy and North Africa, the Middle East, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq. The congregation began to leave the City of London and the East End to settle in the west of London, leading to the establishment of a branch synagogue: situated on Wigmore Street in 1853; moved to Bryanston Street, Marble Arch in 1861; and finally Lauderdale Road, Maida Vale, in 1896. Another synagogue was constructed at Mildmay Park in North London in 1883 and in Wembley in 1962. The Beth Holim hospital and old people's home was moved to Wembley in 1977.

In 1657 the Congregation opened a cemetery, known as the Velho (Old), in Mile End Road, East London. The Velho Cemetery closed in 1735 and the Novo (New) Cemetery was opened further along Mile End Road, and was used until 1918. After this a third cemetery was opened in Golders Green in north west London. The Novo cemetery was partly cleared in the 1970s in face of a compulsory purchase order. Re-interments were carried out at Brentwood, Essex, where all the names are recorded on plaques.

The Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation was led by a small group (Mahamad) consisting of two Wardens (Parnassim) and a Treasurer (Gabay), chosen annually front among the Elders. In the mid 19th century this body became an elected Executive. The Mahamad compiled the first Laws of the Congregation (Ascamot) which were intended to maintain a pious, united and ordered community. The Mahamad levied taxes on members, selected and paid the Haham (Chief Rabbi) and other officials, received offerings and legacies, authorised the solemnisation of marriages and distributed charity (both money and goods such as matzot, coal and blankets).

The synagogue also established various charities to help its members. These included an orphanage; the Shaare Tikvah (Gates of Hope) School for boys, founded in the seventeenth century; the Villareal School for girls; Dower Societies which provided assistance for brides to set up their homes; the Welfare Board offering assistance to people in need; and medical provision in the Beth Holim, now an old people's home but formerly a hospital founded in 1747.

Famous members of the Synagogue include Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, (1784-1885), financier and Jewish community leader, who devoted much of his wealth to charitable causes and travelled widely campaigning on behalf of Jewish interests; and boxer and prize-fighter Daniel Mendoza (1763-1836) who created a new style of boxing which led to the development of the modern sport. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was circumcised at the synagogue, although a later quarrel between his father and the synagogue Elders led to the family leaving the congregation and the children being baptised as Christians in 1817 (thus allowing Disraeli to enter Parliament).

The Synagogue is still used for regular worship as well as for special services organized by British Jews in general.

Source of information: Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation website at http://www.sandp.org/history.htm (accessed March 2010).