The JC’s edition of June 12, 1903 reported that “the Jewish families of Barnsley have formed themselves into a congregation and held a minyan for Pentecost. The officers of the New Briggate Synagogue, Leeds, lent the Sefer [Torah].”
Local historian Nigel Grizzard said that even at the peak of its Jewish life, Barnsley “probably had no more than 10-15 Jewish families”.
In the 2011 Census, just 16 the 91,297 people in Barnsley identified as Jewish.
“Michael Jolles of the Jewish Historical Society of England praised Mr Dante and Mr Grizzard for their “tenacity in excavating the background of this long-forgotten synagogue and for bringing to fruition the positively received commemorative event. Such a triumph is rare.”
The blue plaque was unveiled by Barnsley Mayor Councillor Steve Green.
