A blue plaque has been unveiled on the building that housed a synagogue in Barnsley from 1903-1946. The ceremony, attended by local MP Dan Jarvis, was the culmination of lengthy efforts by Leeds-based Richard Dante, whose family has  links to the South Yorkshire town.

“My father and his brother had a tailoring business there from 1949-1983,” he said.

“As a young  boy, I used to go there and help my dad. I enjoyed going to Barnsley. I knew the street on which the synagogue had been.

“Years later, I went to see the building and was surprised it was still there. I thought it should be recognised for posterity.”

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.