THE unveiling of a blue plaque marking the home of Brighton’s first recorded Jewish resident will form part of a six-month celebration of the faith’s impact on the city over the past 250 years.

The blue plaque will be unveiled on the corner of Crabtree and Evelyn in East Street in July as part of a series of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of a Jewish presence in the city.

Other highlights of the celebrations, which have been nine months in the making, will be the opening of the doors of the Middle Street Synagogue to allow visitors to witness what is considered the city’s most stunning building interior after the Royal Pavilion.

The celebration will include bus tours, art exhibitions, open days, lectures and it will end with a remembrance service held for the first time in 20 years in the Middle Street Synagogue.

Sussex Jewish Representative Council president Beryl Sharpe told a meeting that the city’s Jewish population now amounts to only around 3,000 although it was difficult to keep accurate numbers with many Jews not affiliated to a synagogue or other organisations.

The unveiling of the blue plaque is set to take place on July 14 in East Street, Brighton, with the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Brighton and Hove mayor, councillors and MPs all expected to attend.

The Jewish Historical Society has tracked down half a dozen relatives of the first Jewish resident Israel Samuel from around the globe, including in New Zealand, Canada and Israel and it is hoped that they may also attend.

A definitive anthology on the Jewish community in Brighton and Hove produced by the Jewish Historical Society will also be released to mark the anniversary.

Former Hove MP Ivor Caplin, who is leading the promotion of the celebration, said he hoped the events would allow residents of all faiths to explore the Jewish faith and community.

He said: “I am proud to be Jewish.

“I had my bar mitzvah in Middle Street Synagogue quite some years ago.

“The Jewish community has played a very important part in the city and has a long history.”

Ronnie Bloom, father of Albion chairman Tony, spoke of the impact of his faith on his and his family lives at a launch event event fittingly hosted in the Harry Bloom lounge at the American Express Community Stadium.

He said: “Judaism plays an important role in our work and our daily life.

“We have a wonderful respect for what the Jewish community has done in the past.”