Newcastle Reform Synagogue

Newcastle Reform Synagogue
Basic information
Location The Croft/ off Kenton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4RF
 United Kingdom
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Registered charity (number 246816)
Status Active
Website www.newcastlereformsynagogue.co.uk
Completed 1982 (the building); 1963 (the community)[1]

Newcastle Reform Synagogue, also known by its Hebrew name Ner Tamid ("Everlasting Light"), is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. It is located in Gosforth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The community was founded in 1963[1] by children of European-Jewish refugees. After about 20 families had showed 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[2]

The present purpose-built synagogue was completed in 1982. A dedicated cemetery in North Shields has a prayer house, complete with facilities for tahara (ritual cleansing of the deceased).[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "50th Anniversary celebrations for Newcastle Reform Synagogue". Lieutenancy of Tyne and Wear. 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ http://www.newcastlereformsynagogue.co.uk/about

See also

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