5. Bevis Marks, Rev'd Benjamin Artom, and Bevis Marks

At the beginning of March (6th) letters were sent out on behalf of the committee to the Elders (governing committee) of Bevis Marks Synagogue, Sir Moses Montefiore, and to the Reverend Benjamin Artom, Haham (1) of the Sephardim in Great Britain (the names of the intended recipients appear in this order in the minutes reflecting no doubt the perceived importance of each to the Committee in Manchester) informing them of the project to build 'the first instance of a provincial Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue being formed in Great Britain.' The letter included details of the monies already promised and raised as an indication of the earnestness of their intent, and the intended cost of the building; £2,500 (2).  

As the oldest synagogue in Great Britain and the chief synagogue of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews,(3) the Manchester Sephardim would naturally look to Bevis Marks as a spiritual head and as a model for the constitution and practice of a Manchester Sephardi synagogue. As they expressed it in the letter to Montefiore, they wished the new synagogue to be 'constituted in every respect the same as the ancient and parent synagogue.' And,no doubt, in presenting their plans to Bevis Marks and to the respected and wealthy philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore, they hoped that the support received might be more than simply spiritual. In this they were not to be dissappointed.

Of the copies of the answers received, R. Artom's appears last in the minutes although it was the first to be sent. Artom expresses; 'the pleasure which I feel in seeing that you are disposed to carry out what I have long considered a real and great מצוה [religious duty]' and stated that it thought it 'wise' on the part of the committee to place themselves 'under the guidance and protection of the Mother Congregation.' He promised to make it 'a duty to second [their] efforts for the attainment of [their] religious aims.'

Rabbi Benjamin Artom (1835-1879), Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in Great Britain.

The Elders of Bevis Marks informed Manchester that they had met to consider the 'memorial' they had received and had unanimously approved it. However, although they agreed that would assist 'as soon as premises are purchased and contracts entered into for the construction' and promised the sum of 300 guineas (approx. £24,000 today) this was to be dependent on two conditions being met: firstly the new synagogue was to place itself under the 'control and superintendence of the Ecclesiastical Authorities of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of London,' and secondly that it was to be 'distinctly understood that no pecuniary responsibility whatever is at any future time to be incurred by this congregation [Bevis Marks] by reason the Manchester Synagogue being the supervision of our Ecclesiastical Authorities.' That is to say that, whilst Bevis Marks was to become the competent authority over Manchester for all spiritual matters, that assumed authority would in no way make Bevis Marks financially liable for the new Synagogue. The Elders hoped that the 'desire evinced by the Authorities of [the Manchester] congregation ... will influence our Yehidim [Heb: 'members'] in responding to the appeal ... and that it may result in your establishing a place of Divine Worship for our Brethren in Manchester.'

Sir Moses Montefiore had delayed his response until he had heard that Bevis Marks had given its approval, but, having heard that it had been granted, he expressed himself to 'heartily approve of the good intention of my Brethren in Manchester and cordially wish them success in their pious undertaking' and continued that he was 'happy to subscribe the amount of £50 on the same conditions as have been specified by the Elders.'

Meeting again at the end of March (31st), the committee resolved to send letters of thanks to both Bevis Marks and Sir Moses Montefiore, and that an appeal be sent for publication in the Jewish Chronicle, with copies of the appeal to be sent to the the Yehidim of Bevis Marks and 'other Jewish Gentlemen in the Metropolis and elsewhere.' Hopefully, Haham Artom was not too put out that they overlooked replying to his letter of support.

Sir Moses Montefiore (1784-1885)

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(1) The title 'haham' (Hebrew, 'wise or learned man') is customarily used by Sephardim in preference to 'rabbi.' However in London the title was only given to the rabbi of Bevis Marks with the approval of the Mahamad (governing committee), and not all rabbinic leaders of Bevis Marks were so honoured by the Mahamad. 

(2) In terms of the Retail Price Index this would be equivalent toady to some £190,000, but a fairer comparison to modern building and labour costs would be close to £2,000,000.  

(3) The long-maintained opposition of Bevis Marks to another Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in London that had contributed to the 1840 schism and the founding of the (reform) West London Synagogue, had finally been overcome in 1853 with the opening of a branch synagogue in Wigmore Street, London. This was followed in 1865 with the opening of the Essex Road Synagogue which Solomon Andrade had built in his garden. Previously he only other Sephardi synagogue in Great Britain was Sir Moses Montefiore's private synagogue at his home in Ramsgate built in 1833.