Casgliadau Arlein

Oral history recording with Joyce Arron. One of a collection of interviews conducted by Cai Parry-Jones for his doctoral thesis entitled 'The History of the Jewish Diaspora in Wales'. Funded by the AHRC.

Born in Ammanford, Joyce’s maiden name was Cohen. Her grandfather, Morris Cohen, was a Russian-Jewish immigrant and settled in Ammanford in the early twentieth century. He opened a drapery shop in the town and became a highly respected member of the local community. He embraced local politics, serving on the local council and eventually becoming chairman of the council. Talks about growing up Jewish in Ammanford where there was no Jewish community; travelling to Swansea for religious lessons and synagogue services; meeting her husband, Charles, and their marriage; move to Port Talbot; Port Talbot’s Jewish Community; the decline of the community; the decision of her sons to move away to pursue their careers; her and Charles’ move to Swansea following the demise of Port Talbot Jewry; the Swansea Jewish community and its decline in the late twentieth century; downsizing the synagogue in Ffynone Road in 2009; the relationship between non-Jews and Jews in south Wales; the future of Swansea Jewry and Welsh Jewry; her identity as a Welsh Jew.