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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Newcastle Reform Synagogue

The Newcastle Reform Synagogue (transliterated from Hebrew as Ner Tamid, lit. "Everlasting Light"), is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Gosforth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1963, the congregation is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

History

The community was founded in 1963 by European Jews|European-Jewish]] refugees. After about twenty families had shown interest the previous year in forming a Reform congregation, assistance was sought from the nearest Reform synagogue, Sinai Synagogue, Leeds, who lent a Torah scroll and some prayer books. Services were held in homes, school rooms and church halls.

In 1963 the newly formed congregation bought a Methodist chapel in Derby Street, off Barrack Road, in Newcastle. This was converted into a synagogue, function hall, school rooms and a caretaker's flat, and the congregation grew. However, eleven years later, the congregation was served with a Compulsory Purchase Order and had to abandon the building. For the next ten years the community held regular services as before, in homes, school halls and church halls. On High Holy Days it used the Newcastle City Council Chambers.

The present purpose-built synagogue was completed in 1982. A dedicated cemetery in North Shields has a prayer house, complete with facilities for tahara.

See also

References

  1. ^ "50th Anniversary celebrations for Newcastle Reform Synagogue". Lieutenancy of Tyne and Wear. 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Newcastle Reform Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Community Spotlight: Newcastle Reform Synagogue". News. Movement for Reform Judaism. 11 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Our Synagogue". Newcastle Reform Synagogue.