York’s latest blue plaque was unveiled on Coney Street yesterday (Monday).
It marks the location of York’s 13th-century Synagogue.
The York Civic Trust plaque offers an interesting new perspective on the history of York’s Jewish community, whilst officially commemorating the site.
The Synagogue dated from about 1205 to 1290, and was central to Jewish mediaeval life in the city. This was during a time when York was amongst the most important Jewish centres in the country.
Following the tragic events of 1190 at Clifford’s Tower, where the city’s Jewish community died due to antisemitic sentiments following the coronation of Richard the Lionheart, a group of Jewish individuals returned to live and work in York by the King’s order.
During the first half of the 13th century, this second Jewish community experienced growth and prosperity, making for a story of resilience, co-operation and success that had previously been overlooked in the face of the massacre of 1190.
These new insights emerged through ‘The Jewish Neighbourhoods’ research, run by the University of York, and part of the ‘StreetLife: York’ project that explored the history of Coney Street.
Dr Louise Hampson of the University of York and StreetLife project, said, “This work came about somewhat unexpectedly through the StreetLife project which was a government-funded initiative focused on historic high streets.
“The choice of Coney Street for York started us on a process of discovery and rediscovery of the significance of the Jewish community to York’s history in the 12th and 13th centuries, some aspects of which were known but the significance of which has not been fully appreciated.
“We are continuing to uncover new information which is revealing just how central the cooperation between the Jewish community and the other powerbrokers in York was to the development of the mediaeval city. I am delighted that in this ongoing work we can take this step in bringing this history into the mainstream and to wider attention.”
The blue plaque was revealed yesterday afternoon on the front of the ‘Next’ building on Coney Street, the site where the Synagogue once stood.
The unveiling ceremony, performed by Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo, was observed by a large audience, including representatives from several local and national Jewish communities.
Each member of the crowd shared a desire to see the Synagogue’s site remembered, and many had been involved in the plaque processes, including phrasing and funding.
Rabbi Elisheva Salamo, appointed in 2023 as York’s first resident Rabbi in eight hundred years, spoke on the plaque’s significance to the York Liberal Jewish community: “We stand at the locus of an old hope after terrible times for Jews in York and throughout England.
“This second synagogue must have housed many scholarly debates, Shabbat prayers, and holiday celebrations. I hope it served only as a spiritual refuge and teaching centre for all who dwelt in the city of York.
“It was erected in counterpoint to the rebuilt Clifford’s Tower, which was burned during the massacre. So do we hope to establish the building of our modern Jewish community, rising again in the face of antisemitism, as a strong, welcoming and holy place, a sign that Jews remain part of our wonderful city.”
Dr Duncan Marks of the Civic Trust said, “This is the first blue plaque celebrating Jewish heritage in York. Just as the city today is culturally diverse, so too was our past, and should be celebrated.
“Whilst shopping and commercialism is sometimes said to be our ‘new religion’, this plaque shows us that over the centuries our shopping streets were used by a wide range of fascinating people and uses – enriching us all and something to be proud of.”
The Next building is one of many on Coney Street and along the riverfront of the Ouse set to be revamped as part of a major regeneration proposal ‘Coney Street Riverside’, pending approval.
The regeneration project is led by York-based Helmsley Group, who also helped facilitate the plaque’s installation.
Max Reeves, Director of Helmsley Group said of the importance of the street, “With its rich history spanning back to Roman times, Coney Street has long been a key commercial and cultural hub in the city.
“As proposals for the Coney Street Riverside project are developed, it’s important to recognise and preserve this heritage, ensuring we respect the street’s historical importance while contributing to the city’s evolving identity.”