The former synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil is set to be transformed into a Welsh Jewish heritage centre. The impressive building was established in 1848 before it ceased as a place of worship in 1983.
From then the former synagogue took on variety of uses including a gym, until it closed for good in 2004 and fell into disrepair. Now, in July 2022, the Foundation for Jewish Heritage has successfully secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme to bring the important grade II listed building back to life.
In 2018, the foundation conducted a feasibility study funded by the Muriel and Gershon Coren Charitable Trust exploring the viability of a Heritage Centre at the grade II listed building that was deemed as being at risk. The Foundation went on to purchase the site in 2019 and carried out urgent repairs in 2020 with financial support from private trusts, individual donors and Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.
