The development of the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre in the former synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil will move forward thanks to a new major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Heritage Fund announced June 16 that it was awarding a £3.9 million Delivery Round Grant to the project — on top of the nearly £400,000 Development Round Grant it had already awarded in 2022.
(Grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds: Round one development funding from the Heritage Fund is awarded allowing a project to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award.)
Added to “£1.7 million from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, and grants from several leading charitable organisations,” the Heritage Fund grant brings funding for the project to more than £6 million, the Foundation for Jewish Heritage (FJH), which is overseeing then project, said.
Once complete, the Heritage Fund said, “the centre will host a permanent exhibition on the history of Judaism in Wales and will engage more people in Welsh Jewish culture through:
- celebratory events centred around major Jewish festivals where people of diverse faiths and cultures can come together to share customs, food and music
- a digital hub which will improve access to archival resources and stories of Jewish life
- a young curator programme providing young people with training in interpretation and exhibition curation.”
“When its doors open in 2028, the Centre will feature an exhibition that showcases the history of Jewish communities in Wales and their experience, much of which is unknown,” the FJH said. “There will be an ambitious learning and activity programme, as well as events that bring together different communities to explore their distinct cultures and shared Welsh heritage. The Centre will enhance the expanding tourist and visitor offer in Merthyr Tydfil, and will also provide new facilities for the local community.”
Built in 1876-77, the Merthyr Tydfil synagogue, a Grade II listed building, is the oldest purpose-built synagogue still standing in Wales and is considered architecturally one of the most important synagogues in the UK. It was sold in 1983 when the Jewish community disbanded and was used as a community center and a gym and then stood derelict from 2006. The Foundation for Jewish Heritage purchased the synagogue building in 2019 .
We have following the development of this project from the beginning and have posted frequently about it. Click here to see our earlier posts.