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Sources for business history: plans of New Court

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Exhibition - Faith & Charity

8: Testimonials from the United Synagogue and the Great Synagogue

Testimonial from the Council of the United Synagogue

The roots of the United Synagogue can be traced back to 1835. This year saw the signing of the treaty between the Hambro', Great and New synagogues which centralised the distribution of aid to the poor affiliated to all three synagogues. The proposer of the treaty was Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836). Nathan served as warden of the Great Synagogue in 1818 along with his brother-in-law Solomon Cohen. He first proposed the idea in 1823 and hosted negotiations at New Court in 1824.

The first President of the United Synagogue on its establishment in 1870 was Anthony de Rothschild (1810-1876), Nathan's son. He remained President until his death in 1876. The presidency was then held by successive generations of the family: Nathaniel 'Natty', 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915) from 1876-1915, Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917) from 1915-1917, and Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882-1942) from 1917-1942.

Testimonial from the Board of Management of the Great Synagogue

The Great Synagogue of London was, for centuries, the centre of Ashkenazi Jewish life in London. The earliest Ashkenazi synagogue constructed in London after the return of Jews to England in the 17th century was built about 1690 at Duke's Place, north of Aldgate. The congregation grew, and in 1722 a new building was erected with the cost of £2000 being born by businessman and philanthropist, Moses Hart. The building was consecrated on Rosh Hashana (September 18, 1722). An enlarged building, designed by George Dance the Elder, was consecrated on August 29, 1766. 

Between 1788 and 1790, the third synagogue was built on the site. Unusually for the times, the principal donor was a woman, Judith Hart Levy, a daughter of Moses Hart, who subscribed £4000. The architect was James Spiller. The building was in the classical style identified with John Adam.  Nathaniel, 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915) was elected Warden of the Great Synagogue in May 1872. The Great Synagogue was destroyed in the London Blitz on May 10, 1941.

Detail of embossed gold decoration on the testimonial from the Council of the United Synagogue

Detail of embossed gold decoration on the testimonial from the Council of the United Synagogue