The survey of the Jewish built heritage in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Project start date: 2004-11

Project end date: 2007-12

The Survey is a thematic building recording project covering all Jewish monuments and sites that date from before the Second World War (1939). Mediaeval and modern buildings and sites, both sacred and secular, are covered by the included in the Survey's online database, including purpose-built synagogues, Mikvaot [Jewish ritual baths] and cemeteries, as well as Jewish schools, hospitals, soup kitchens, communal offices and meeting halls. Since an initial “pilot project” in the East End of London in the summer of 1996, some 350 sites have been visited by the UK Survey in nearly 100 towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and the Channel Islands. The on-site record includes the compilation of detailed field notes, sketch plans and drawings, and both internal and external photography in 35mm format. The fieldwork phase has been preceded and is followed up by extensive library and archive research into the architectural history of every site. This research has, in particular, brought to light rare visual material on Jewish buildings and sites that no longer exist, having been destroyed by redevelopment or enemy action. In co-operation with repositories and private collectors, surviving historic photographs, maps and architectural plans are being photographed and scanned into the Image Archive which forms part of the Survey Database.