‘From Holyhead to Wrexham’, academic in bid to save north Wales’ Jewish heritage
Professor Nathan Abrams is crowdfunding to preserve the community's 'disappearing' history of the region, with walks, a self-guided map, a digital app and travelling exhibitions
A Jewish professor at the University of Bangor has asked for help to preserve and display the “disappearing” Jewish heritage of north Wales.
Professor Nathan Abrams is crowdfunding to keep this Jewish history alive through guided walks, a self-guided map, a digital app and travelling exhibitions of the Jewish history of north Wales, “from Holyhead to Wrexham”.
Last year he launched two walks and a Jewish map of Bangor, followed by an exhibition funded by his university, before transferring all the material to a free app called ‘Walking Jewish History’.
“North Wales has had a rich Jewish history,” said Abrams. “Jews moved there in large numbers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were escaping persecution in Eastern Europe, but also wished to better themselves in Britain, where there were exciting new economic opportunities.
“Jews did much to help shape north Wales’ high streets. They had entrepreneurial energy, ambition, financial acumen, a willingness to take risks and the vision essential in building modern businesses.
“While little of this Jewish entrepreneurialism survives, their legacy lives on in the number of well-known British businesses and brands that bear their names. As the Jewish community has declined and dissolved, and our high street has been transformed, not many know of this history.”
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