Belfast Jewish Community: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
|materials= |
|materials= |
||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Belfast Hebrew Congregation''' is the Jewish community in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]. The community follows the [[Ashkenazi]] [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] ritual. Membership has fluctuated from 78 in 1900, approximately 1500 during World War II ,about 375 after [[World War II]], and 200 in 1999.<ref>[http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/Belfast/index.htm JCR-UK] 350 in 1945, 380 in 1949. It is steadily rising. </ref> See ---Jews of Northern |
The '''Belfast Hebrew Congregation''' is the Jewish community in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]. The community follows the [[Ashkenazi]] [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] ritual. Membership has fluctuated from 78 in 1900, approximately 1500 during World War II ,about 375 after [[World War II]], and 200 in 1999.<ref>[http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/Belfast/index.htm JCR-UK] 350 in 1945, 380 in 1949. It is steadily rising. </ref> See ---Jews of Northern Ireland.-=== |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
Revision as of 18:20, 26 January 2010
| Belfast Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Active Synagogue |
| Location | |
| Location | 40 Somerton Road Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1967 |
The Belfast Hebrew Congregation is the Jewish community in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The community follows the Ashkenazi Orthodox ritual. Membership has fluctuated from 78 in 1900, approximately 1500 during World War II ,about 375 after World War II, and 200 in 1999.[1] See ---Jews of Northern Ireland.-===
History
Established in 1870, first two "ministers" (rabbis) were Reverend Joseph Chotzner (serving from 1870 to 1880 and 1892 to 1897) and Rev. J. E. Myers.[2] Having immigrated in 1851, M. A. Jaffe (father of Otto Jaffe) was instrumental in founding the synagogue. Later, the position was filled by Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1916-1919), who later become Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Israel, and Rabbi Jacob Shachter (translator of Zvi Hirsch Chajes), 1926-1954.
Elizabeth Jane Caulfield, the Countess of Charlemont, regularly attended the synagogue and apparently converted to Judaism there.[3]
Otto Jaffe, Lord Mayor of Belfast, was life-president of the Belfast Hebrew Congregation, which worshipped at the Great Victoria Street synagogue.
Buildings
Currently located on Somerton Road, the congregation previously had the Synagogue[4] building on Annesley Street (1904-1964) and Great Victoria Street (1871-1904). (The foundation stones were dated July 7, 1871 and February 26, 1904.)
The synagogue is unusual in that it is circular, not rectangular. There is no balcony for women, but a raised platform on either side. The roof is held up by concrete-covered beams that forms the shape of a Star of David.
The synagogue has a plaque in memory of Jews killed during the Holocaust. Listed in the U.K. National Inventory of War Memorials, the English part of the inscription reads: "In memory of the martyred millions of European Jewry 1933-1945."[5]
See also
References
On Rabbi Jacob Shachter (1886-1971) of Romania and Manchester UK, see this biography at Yashar Books.