1723
The famous Cheltenham Spa (of alkaline water) is established.
1788
George III patronizes the spa.
1800
Ephraim Alex is born in Cheltenham, the founder of the Jewish Board of Guardians.
1814
Jewish business men from Bath trade in Cheltenham. Jacob Abraham, optician, moves from Bath to Cheltenham to set up shop.
1820s
The Jewish community emerges to service the needs of the new middle-class suburb of Pittville in the north of the town.
1823
A formal Jewish congregation is established and meets at St Georges Place.
1828
The Duke of Wellington makes large purchases at Jacob Abraham's shop.
1837-9
A new synagogue is built at St James Square for £1,500.
1838
The London Society baptizes two Jews.
1838
There are Jewish booksellers, drapers, furriers, opticians, watchmakers, wheelchair makers, fancy goods sellers.
1840
The congregation publishes its laws and regulations.
1841
There is a burglary of ritual items from the synagogue.
1843
Two more Jews are baptized by the London Society.
1843
Lewis Dight, a communal leader leads a succession from the synagogue after a dispute with the Warden.
1844
The cemetery in Elm Street is established.
1847
There is a Jewish population of 97, though 25 are unaffiliated to the synagogue.
1850
It is estimated that 75 Jews live in Cheltenham.
1864
The synagogue is restored.
1865
Gas light is installed in the synagogue.
1868
Henry B. Samuelson, the local Liberal candidate implies an anti-Semitic slur in one of his election speeches. Samuel later privately apologised after the Jewish community protested.
1871
The most prevalent Jewish profession is pawnbroking.
1871
The Chief Rabbi visits the synagogue.
1872
The rabbi, P. Phillips complains of his very low income.
1874
The synagogue finances reach crisis point. The synagogue also needs more repairs.
1892
The synagogue has only three members left. The synagogue minyan depends on school boys at the nearby Cheltenham College. However there is also a brief revival this year.
1894
Halperns' Directory lists four Jewish businesses in Cheltenham.
1899-1901
There is a legal dispute over a legacy to the synagogue. This wastes most of the remaining community assets.
1901
There are four Jews living in Cheltenham.
1903
The synagogue is closed except for festivals attended by Jewish students at Corinth House.
1914
The synagogue reopens very briefly in March when some Jewish families settle in the area.
1922
Corinth House is closed by the college, the last house master, Daniel Lipson, secedes with half the boys to a form Corinth College.
1930s
Some seven or eight Jewish families are now settled in the town.
1935
Corinth College closes.
1935-7
Lipson becomes Mayor of Cheltenham.
1937-50
Lipson is elected an independent MP.
1939-45
The old synagogue is reopened by Orthodox evacuees, and local families.
1945
Some Jewish families stay on after the war and the synagogue remains open.
1984
There are some 100 congregants of Cheltenham synagogue.
1998
There are some 70 Jews in Cheltenham.
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