Spanish & Portuguese Jews

Now that Jews were legally safe to practise their faith, they felt more settled living in England. The community bought land for a cemetery in London and in 1701, Bevis Marks Synagogue, the first purpose-built synagogue in the UK, was opened by the SephardiDescribes Jews of Spanish or Portuguese decent. Spanish and Portuguese community in the City of London. It is still there today, in regular use. It is a beautiful building, based on the design of a synagogue in Amsterdam. The grandfather of the prime minister Benjamin Disraeli was a member of this synagogue.

At this time Jews spoke Spanish or Portuguese. They quickly assimilated (blended) into English society. The community numbered around 3–4,000. Seven ‘Deputados’ (representatives) from the Spanish and Portuguese community established the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 1760 to represent the Jewish community’s concerns to government – something that it still does to this day.

TO FIND OUT

Bevis Marks synagogueJewish communal building where people gather to pray, learn and celebrate. (From Greek – meaning place of gathering). in London has seven brass candelabras hanging from the ceiling (as seen in the photo above). The one in the centre is larger than the others. What do they represent?

CRITICAL THINKING

What difference do you think it made to the Jewish community in England to have its first ever synagogue? Is it important for every faith or ideological group to have a physical space of its own?

CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. What was built in 1701?

2. Why was the Board of Deputies of British Jews set up?

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