• Introduction
• History
• Key Dates

• Places of interest
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Even though the Jewish community was in decline from 1850, this did not stop members of the community from attaining local prominence. Henry Hart became an influential figure in the city for over half a century. He was fifty years an Alderman of the city and three times mayor of the city.
By 1889 the synagogue had become very decrepit and the surroundings unkempt. The community was effectively re-launched with a restoration and re-consecration of the synagogue after a major appeal in 1889 had raised £100.

The last minutes of the synagogue were last recorded in 1896, and by 1911, only some three Jewish families remained in Canterbury when the synagogue was closed. It was briefly reopened in the First World War for Jewish soldiers stationed in the area. One of the worshippers was Cecil Roth, the noted scholar and Anglo-Jewish historian.

After the Great War Jewish life in Canterbury died. In 1931 the synagogue was formally closed and handed over to the charity commissioners, who sold it, and gave the proceeds to the Board of Jewish Deputies to maintain the cemetery. Two Torah scrolls were given to Oxford synagogue on the understanding they would be returned if the congregation was ever reinstated. There were apparently links between Canterbury and Oxford, as suggested by the burial of Wolf and Esther Harris of Oxford at the Canterbury cemetery, in 1871. The former synagogue was used for all sorts of secular purposes and it is now maintained as 'The Old Synagogue Recital Room' by the Kings School, Canterbury and is occasionally used for religious services.

A new Jewish community has re-established itself again in Canterbury, largely associated with the creation of the University at Canterbury in 1965. In 1975 there were sufficient Jews in Canterbury for the community to officially re-establish itself. A Jewish presence is once again well established in Canterbury, though it is relatively small. Some Jewish services are now held periodically in the Old Synagogue and relatively recently a Jewish wedding was celebrated in the building.