Historic Jewish community in Llandudno

[Karen and Derek]

When we lived in Salisbury Court (off Gloddaeth Avenue), our next door neighbour was the late Percy Davies who I understand ran a business with his sister Lily in Madoc Street. Percy was introduced to me by the late Jack Berry who described Percy as an 'unorthodox Jew'. Don't really know what he meant by that.

He ran a clothes shop in Madoc Street and was known locally as "Davies the Jew".

We also knew his shop by that name and always bought our school uniforms from there.

I remember his Sister who always sat at the rear of the shop.

Karen.

[Hans Wins]

As refugees during WW2 we lived in Colwyn-Bay therefor I have no knowledge of Llandudno's Jewish history. I do know that there was a Jewish Community Centre located in Princess Drive, Colwyn-Bay called 'Zion House'. Unfortunately, that is all I know but I thought just to let you know.

[Michael]

I remember Zion House in Colwyn Bay. It was opposite the present Barclays business centre. (that is, if the business centre is still there---they havent turned it into a casino LOL).  Zion house fascinated me, it had, to me, strange symbols on the outside which I didnt understand, nor trust.  I suppose I thought as a ten year old it was witchcraft.  Mike

[Nemesis]

Anyone know why we suddenly have vast amounts of the Jewish People in town this week? Is it some special holiday for them?

[Yorkie]

http://www.chabad.org/calendar/holidays_cdo/aid/1126695/jewish/2012-Holidays.htm

[SDQ]

http://www.chabad.org/calendar/holidays_cdo/aid/1126695/jewish/2012-Holidays.htm

That'll be a 'No' then

[Michael]

  Hello Nemesis.  The house that the jews own in Abbey Road holds a considerable amount of people.   Most appear to come from Manchester.
  They invariably walk up the orme, all together, at some time. Even in the rain.
    I can only imagine that because of recent weather !!!!  they decided to be more sensible and walk around Llandudno.
     The house I refer to is full virtually the whole time.  I have myself witnessed around 50 all going in in one wack.   Mike

[Nemesis]

I'll answer my own question !!   Having been informed by a neighbour.
Apparently there is a large Jewish wedding in town this weekend. Quite a few local B&Bs have them staying, as well as the Chabad( ?) in Church Walks. Hence the fact that they are all so smartly dressed.
Having catered for the kosher diet in the past, breakfast can be somewhat of a difficulty, especially as the same utensils cannot be used for kosher and non kosher food.

[Michael]

  Sorry Nemesis, I probably meant Church Walks, not Abbey Street   Teach me as a outsider sticking m nose in  Mike

[Yorkie]

http://www.chabad.org/calendar/holidays_cdo/aid/1126695/jewish/2012-Holidays.htm

That'll be a 'No' then

Actually it saved a long boring explanation.  - Shalom!    WWW

[Nemesis]

Nay Mike -I am more of an outsider than yourself !
The building in question is looking very shabby--especially from the rear which is in Rectory Lane.

[Jack]

Saw this the other day, some interest to the person who was doing the original research perhaps?

http://theantitzemach.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/news-from-llandudno-wales-uk-pronounced.html

[Llechwedd]

35 young Jewish boys with black hats, white shirts, black suits and their scarf thingys (sorry) round their waists got off the train from London with me last night. They had an older man with a long white beard with them.  They set of up Madoc Street at a rate of knots, don't know where they went. If the synagogue is no longer where would any wedding take place?

[Nemesis]

Perhaps someone else might know--- The building in Church Walks does hold some kind of services, I have heard chanting etc when walking the dog-- but -- Is it an actual synagogue? Some of the basement rooms are equipped with dormitory style sleeping arrangements, and there is an awful lot of coming and going of all ages.
Re the wedding-- this is what we wondered because Chabad isn't big enough for the volume of people around. Does Venue Cymru host weddings?

[sam]

Yes it is/was a Synagogue but not sure if it's now just referred to as a Jewish Centre....my friends used to live in the flats above and below. Here is an article from 2007:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/faith/pages/mike_lee.shtml

Would love to go to a Jewish wedding - Mazel Tov!