Constitution of the Cardiff New Synagogue Ladies' Guild, 14 April 1981, Cardiff

Disgrifiad

Constitution of the Cardiff New Synagogue Ladies' Guild, unanimously agreed at the Guild's annual general meeting on 14 April 1981 in Cardiff. The Constitution describes the purpose and operation of the committee including membership, officers, function, decision-making, quorum and conduct of meetings. The object of the Guild is described in the Constitution as working "for the general welfare and benefit of the Cardiff New Synagogue and to engage in such charitable work as shall be approved by the Members or the Committee". The constitution is included in a Cardiff New Synagogue Ladies' Guild Minute Book, 1979-1990.

The Cardiff New Synagogue Ladies' Guild, a women-only volunteer group, was established in 1950. The ladies of the Guild organised religious, fund raising and social activities for the Synagogue - from the annual garden parties, to the food of festivals and to talks held in members' homes, as well as acts of tzedakah (justice or charity) and community welfare. The Ladies' Guild ceased to exist in 1986. In its place, a new guild formed that was open to both men and women, which focussed more on fundraising for the Synagogue.

The Cardiff Reform Synagogue was founded in 1948 as the Cardiff New Synagogue. The following year, it became a constituent member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. Born in reaction against the more restrictive traditions of the Orthodox Judaism of Cardiff Hebrew Congregation, such as the prohibition of driving on the Sabbath and the ban on interfaith marriages, the new Synagogue appealed to immigrants who had fled war-torn Europe, where the Reform movement was already well-established. The congregation worships in a converted Methodist Chapel on Moira Terrace, acquired in 1952.

Sources:
'The History of the Jewish Diaspora in Wales' by Cai Parry-Jones (http://e.bangor.ac.uk/4987);
JCR-UK/JewishGen (https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/card1/index.htm).

Depository: Glamorgan Archives.