Metadata: Westminster Jews Free School
Collection
- Country:
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Holding institution:
- London Metropolitan Archives, City of London
- Holding institution (official language):
- London Metropolitan Archives, City of London
- Postal address:
- 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB, United Kingdom
- Phone number:
- (+44) 20 7332 3820
- Email:
- ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk
- Reference number:
- LMA/4047
- Title:
- Westminster Jews Free School
- Title (official language):
- Westminster Jews Free School
- Creator/accumulator:
- Westminster Jews Free School
- Date(s):
- 1846/1950
- Language:
- English
- Extent:
- 0.4 linear metres
- Type of material:
- Textual material
- Physical condition:
- good
- Scope and content:
- Records of the Westminster Jews Free School, 1846-1950. This is a short series of records and consists of minutes and financial accounts. The minutes date from 1846 and include the first minute book of the Jewish Girls Free School (1846-1853) which contains lists of pupils and letters.
- Archival history:
- Deposited at London Metropolitan Archives in 1998.
- Administrative/biographical history:
- A school existed as part of the Western Synagogue from 1820 and at that time the aim of the school was 'that male children of the Jewish persuasion (whose parents are unable to afford them educated) be instructed in Hebrew and English reading, writing and arithmetic; that the principle of religion be carefully inculcated and every exertion used to render them good and useful members of society.' The School was funded by voluntary contributions and classes were held at the teachers homes. Children were admitted from age 5 to 12 and discharged at 13. In addition to instruction, the boys received gifts of clothing and on bar mitzvah an entire new outfit was provided. By 1837 the school committee had decided to rent premises in Stanhope Street but by 1843 this was too small and a new school was opened in Greek Street. The equivalent girls school opened in 1846 at Richmond Buildings, Dean Street and shortly after moved to Greek Street. Its aims were ‘… the diffusion of religion and knowledge of moral and social principles among the young and ignorant’. In 1853 the 2 schools were amalgamated and named the Westminster Jews Free School. It remained at Greek Street until 1882 when it became obvious the school was no longer big enough. A new school was built in Hanway Place and consecrated in July 1883 and could now accommodate 500 children. By 1911 the school numbers had decreased dramatically and on 31 December 1945 the school officially closed.
- Access points: locations:
- London
- United Kingdom
- Subject terms:
- Education
- Education--Schools and universities
- Orthodox Judaism
- System of arrangement:
- Catalogued in two sections: Administration; Finance
- Access, restrictions:
- These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.
- Finding aids:
- Please see online catalogues.
- Links to finding aids:
- https://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
- Yerusha Network member:
- London Metropolitan Archives
- Author of the description:
- Nicola Avery, London Metropolitan Archives, 2018
