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.^[2]

History

The community was founded in 1963^[1] by children of 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.^[3]

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.^[4] 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.^[3]

The present purpose-built synagogue was completed in 1982. A dedicated cemetery in North Shields has a prayer house, complete with facilities for tahara.^[3]

See also

1. ^ ^{a b} "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. ^ ^{a b c} "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.^{[self-published source?]}

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