[2][3] The congregation uses the synagogue for Shabbat and major festivals although the community is small and has been in decline for some years.

German-born Jews played an important role in the development of the local woollen trade and Jewish merchants from central Europe took advantage of the climate of economic and political freedom in Bradford.

[1] Aged 28 and with a Rabbinic diploma, Strauss was appointed as the first rabbi in Bradford in 1873, and was welcomed by the community at a general meeting on 31 October of that year.

[6] Subsequent to this meeting funding was secured that enabled the community to continue using the current building.

[10][1] Architecturally, Bradford is a very rare and well-preserved, small-scale, provincial synagogue built in "Oriental" style.