We are seeking Trustees for a new charitable organisation being established to lead the exciting redevelopment of the historic Synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, a project of national importance to Wales. Trustees will help bring new thinking, views, skills and experience to the project.
The Grade II listed Synagogue is among the most important Jewish sites in Wales and the first purpose-built Synagogue for a Jewish community, part of a wave of migration, drawn to Merthyr Tydfil when it was Wales’s largest town and a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. The building has had varied uses since its closure as a synagogue in 1983, but over the past twenty years it has declined and is now derelict.
The project is led by the Foundation for Jewish Heritage with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and the Welsh Government. There are plans to restore the Synagogue as a community asset, and to create a new Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre.
The project is at a pivotal point. With planning nearly completed, we will soon move into the delivery phase. We need to get the right people on board as trustees of the new organisation that will lead project delivery and be responsible for the operation of the new Centre.
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with the following skills and experience:
Commercial and business development, particularly operational start-ups
Cultural venue and/or cultural programming leadership
Financial and business planning
Legal
HR and volunteer strategy
Charity governance
We’re looking for people with a passion for Jewish history, heritage and culture, and a commitment to getting the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre up and running. We need people who are able to bring energy and commitment, take a proactive part in our board discussions, engage in healthy debate, respect others’ viewpoints and then gather around to support a consensus view.
If you think you’ve got the skills, experience and personal qualities to support us in taking our next vital step, we would be delighted to hear from you.
