Physical Description:

 Only edition. 9 pp. plus wrapper, octavo, 212:135 mm., light age staining. A very good copy bound in the original wrappers.

Detailed Description:   

Title: Form of Service at the Opening by Sir Samuel Montagu, Bart MP of the New Almshouses of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation London 1894.

English and Hebrew of facing pages. The Spanish and Portuguese Congregation is a Sephardic Jewish community based at the Bevis Marks Synagogue in the City of London. The Congregation’s first synagogue was established in Creechurch Lane in 1657. This was replaced in 1701 with the present synagogue, which still stands in the east of the City, close to Aldgate Tube station and 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin). Bevis Marks Synagogue is designated as a monument of national importance, open to visitors, and religious services are still held there.

A variety of charities and organisations were run by or connected to the Congregation. These include two sets of almshouses, the Barrow’s Almshouses in Bethnal Green and Cock Court Almshouses in the City; the Beth Holim Hospital in Mile End, founded in 1747; several schools and a Theological College; an orphan society; two Dower Societies which provided assistance for brides to set up their homes; a Board of Guardians; and six burial and mourning societies.