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'Mark our heritage in Wales'

Dr Cai Parry-Jones, author of a book on Wales’s Jewish communities has suggested that an unused synagogue could be used as a museum or heritage centre

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Dr Cai Parry-Jones, author of a book on Wales’s Jewish communities, said the country lacked a permanent building dedicated to its Jewish history.

He suggested that an unused synagogue — the oldest in Wales — in Merthyr could be used as a museum or heritage centre.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Parry-Jones said: “Since devolution, more is being done because Wales is starting to understand and see itself as a multifaith and multicultural country. More could be done.”

The Merthyr synagogue has not been used for worship for years, is for sale, and could be turned into flats.

Nathan Abrams, Professor of Film Studies at Bangor University, said it was difficult to maintain the principality’s Jewish heritage when the community had dispersed.

He said: “We had an exhibition at Gwynedd Museum around ten years ago to teach people about the Jewish history of north Wales.

“We try all sort of things, but it is difficult.”

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