Audio clip from an oral history interview with Jack Fine: Aberdare Synagogue, Mountain Ash, 9 July 2018

Description

This is an audio clip from an oral history interview with Jack Fine in which Jack talks about the Aberdare Synagogue.

In his interview, Jack discusses the Jewish community in the valleys, particularly Mountain Ash, Penrhiwceiber and the surrounding areas, to which he notes that there was not much of a community when he was growing up. The nearest synagogue was Aberdare Synagogue, and, in the interview, Jack recalls his memories of it being a house in Seymour Street with approximately 20 to 30 people. Notably, Jack also has memories of attending Cathedral Road Synagogue when he lived in Cardiff. Growing up, Jack notes that his mother had no interest in Jewish observances and did not attend synagogue; however, she did keep separate cutlery and dining sets. In contrast, Jack's father regularly attended synagogue; however, this was due to the fact that all of his family were there. Significantly, Jack has memories of the Second World War and in the interview, he reflects upon memories of a bombing and the living conditions of people. Jack notes that he received no religious concessions or exemptions in school, but that there was one exception where he got Yom Kippur off purely by chance. Jack was active in the Cardiff League Table-Tennis team growing up. In the interview, Jack reflects upon the causes for the diminished Jewish communities in South Wales and what the communities now look like.

Depository: The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales.