THE MONTEFIORE SYNAGOGUE AND MAUSOLEUM
Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) was a towering figure of Victorian England, renowned locally, nationally and internationally. The grandson of wealthy Sephardi London merchants originally from Livorno in Italy he retired from the Stock Exchange a rich man to devote his life to philanthropy. He gave generously locally: his mayoral gold chain is still worn by Ramsgate mayors. Nationally he worked for removal of disabilities for all dissenters; he helped establish the non-denominational University College London. Internationally he most famously fought for and helped financially his co-religionists abroad in times of persecution and established a new suburb and industries for impoverished Jews of Jerusalem and of the Holy Land.
He first came to Ramsgate in 1812 on his honeymoon with his wife Judith Cohen, sister-in-law to Nathan Rothschild. After his first visit to Jerusalem he bought, in 1831, East Cliff Lodge with its grounds, now George VI Park. The pious and observant Montefiores immediately expressed their intention to build a synagogue as a private `chapel' on their estate. David Mocatta, a cousin, was hired to design it.He was the first Anglo-Jewish architect, a pupil of Sir John Soane and architect for railway stations on the Brighton Line. Mocatta estimated the cost at between £1500 and £1600 exclusive of the interior which was to cost £300 and £400. The foundation stone was laid on the New Moon of Tammuz (Leo) 5691 anno mundi (1) or 9th. August 1831 in the presence of large numbers of the family; terra santa[sic](2) was placed where the Ark with its scrolls would eventually stand.
It was on Sunday the 16th. June 1833 that the dedication of the synagogue took place.
The Chief Rabbis of both the Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities were present, leading a large and distinguished congregation from all over the United Kingdom.
`The simple building is based on a rectangular plan with canted corners plus a semicircular apse at the back to accommodate the Ark. It has whitewashed stucco walls and a lead roof. The clock on the façade, an unusual feature of synagogues (the most famous being that on Prague's baroque Jewish Town Hall) is inscribed in English with the motto TIME FLIES. VIRTUE ALONE REMAINS. The chiming clock is the only example in an English Synagogue.'(3)
This clock has marked the time for numerous Ramsgatonians, speeding many a schoolboy late for school. Sir Moses Montefiore's arms, by the side of the entrance, are from the now demolished Judith, Lady Montefiore College; they were placed there after 1960.
`The interior: Semicircular stone steps (at north) lead to a tiny vestibule with a marble washstand. The interior of the small prayer hall was originally dimly lit from above by an octagonal dome and lantern of clear and red glass, a feature typical of the Regency, and by a tiny window over the Ark now filled with a stained glass Decalogue. Only later were windows introduced at gallery level. The classicism of the tapering Ark is modified by the lotus-bud capitals, which give it a slightly Egyptian feel.
Other alterations to the interior have somewhat compromised the restrained neoclassicism: the cream, pink and grey granite and marble lining the walls (in 1912), replacement and rearrangement of furniture (by oak in 1933; the Reader's desk is now in the centre) and the introduction of iron gallery supports and stained glass (also 1933). The gallery faces the Ark along the west wall and has a traditional high latticework mehitsah (*). In 1933 the original timber Royal Family prayer board was replaced. It can now be seen at Bristol Synagogue' (4)
The present Prayer for the Royal Family is for King George V and Queen Mary.
In the lobby there is a memorial to a member of the family who was killed on active service at Gallipoli during World War I.
The synagogue is lit by candles in their original brass chandeliers, as at its parent synagogue Bevis Marks in London. Sir Moses' own seat by the Ark is still to be seen as is that of Lady
Montefiore's in the women's gallery (no.3).
The Montefiores travelled widely and visited the Holy Land seven times. The suburb built outside the old walls of Jerusalem, `Yemin Moshe' (the Right Hand of Moses in honour of Sir Moses) had a distinctly English flavour, and one might say even a very Ramsgate flavour: the ironwork is from G S Culver's Ramsgate Metalwork factory and the windmill was based on the Hereson flour mill. It was built by Messrs. Holman, engineers and millwrights, of Canterbury.
continues at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08D2urAwnU
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just back from ramsgate visited the site very quiet but still amazed at how beautifull it looks. will go back ..
MyHarvey111 6 months ago
i have to say that the woods surronding this buildiung are very odd. i allways get a nausiating feeling when going to look at this building,
LetsTakeArideOut 6 months ago
What a waste of money. Why don't you religious nuts use that money on something else?
atifirepro7 1 year ago
I wonder how large the jewish community of Thanet is ?
historicrecord 2 years ago
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Can a synagogue ever be holy if it was paid for with blood money? Maybe. If not, it still is a site to behold. Think of the income this little gem of tourism has generated over the years, not to mention merchandising and the family's bragging rights about how they were so wealthy from war profiteering they bought a special place in Hell."Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary."MLK
pathfinderdaddy 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Goyim are mentally inferior to Jews and can't run their nations properly.For their sake and ours,we need to abolish their governments and replace them with a single government.This will take a long time and involve much bloodshed, but it's for a good cause.Here's what we'll need to do:Place our agents and helpers everywhere.Take control of the media and use it in propaganda for our plans.Start fights between different races, classes and religions.Use bribery,threats and blackmail to get our way
pathfinderdaddy 2 years ago
and that has WHAT to do with me missing ramsgate?
oh yeah...NOTHING!
brenchen 3 years ago
i miss ramsgate
brenchen 3 years ago