History

The formation of the Newcastle Reform Synagogue came about when. In 1962, Ronny Loble saw a small classified advertisement in the local paper, asking anyone interested in joining a Reform Synagogue, to reply to a box number. He replied and found that the advertisement was placed by a single young man, who was not Jewish. However, he had a few more enquiries and it was decided to hold a meeting in a Newcastle hotel. A handful of people attended, most were refugees from across Europe who had escaped
from the Nazis. Their traditional form of worship was equivalent to Reform in the UK. It was decided by those present that a Reform Synagogue would be very welcome.

Some of the interested families were members of local Orthodox Synagogues and others were not members of any congregation. Others who lived locally were existing members of existing Reform Communities elsewhere. The word spread and after several more meetings, a total of 28 families approached the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain – RSGB – with a view to affiliation and to obtain some expert advice. Help came not only from London, but also from the nearest Reform Synagogue, Sinai in Leeds. Its Rabbi, Henry Brandt, a German Refugee, and his members advised on ritual, orders of service, loaned us Siddurim and brought their choir to help with the music. By 1963 there was confidence that a congregation could be formed, but what about a Synagogue? It was either luck or providence, when a Methodist Chapel in Derby Street was offered at a very low price, with a 100% mortgage, on the condition
that we would retain the full pipe organ installed there and retain the plaque showing its donor. Funds were scraped together, some by way of donations and others by loans from intending members. The chapel, .a building at the end of a terrace of houses was converted into a Synagogue with a function hall and kitchen on the first floor and an attached house. provided class and meeting rooms, and a flat for the resident caretaker. This first progressive Synagogue in Newcastle was consecrated in 1965. After 11 years
we received a Compulsory Purchase Order to quit the building, as the area was to be developed. We were in the wilderness for 10 years, holding regular Services in members’ homes, hotel and school rooms, Church Halls and on High Holidays, in the Civic Centre. The different venues made it necessary to transport our single Torah Scroll on loan from Leeds, prayer books and an old, very heavy, pedal operated
harmonium every week. We became expert furniture removers! After many offers from the city and inspections of various unsuitable properties, we finally settled on the green field site, where NRS is today. This Synagogue was completed in 1983 and dedicated by Rabbis Lionel Blue and Maurice Michaels in 1984.

Over the years, we enjoyed the services and support of many Rabbis and Rabbinic students, some full time and others on a part time basis. Of course, this Synagogue would not exist without them and the fantastic devotion, support, sacrifice and hard work of many of our members. The first chairman of NRS, Sol Caplan and his wife Rona, worked energetically and unceasingly, while others were learning about establishing and managing a community. The pillars of our community, from the outset, were Claire and Nonek Jacobson. Claire led the choir, arranged the first ever communal Seder in Newcastle, was the members’ Agony Aunt / pastoral worker, taught Cheder, acted as secretary, news sheet editor, baked cakes and did much else. Nonek was the person who enabled us to hold regular Services, when we were without a Rabbi,
thanks to his deep knowledge of Judaism and his unfailing commitment to the NRS. He attended every Shabbat morning and holiday Service, taught Cheder, trained B’nei Mitzvot for their great day and developed the ritual side of the community. Eve and George Loble were other stalwarts of NRS. Eve playing a key role in the Guild and George magnificently representing the community across the spectrum at religious, civic, cultural, social and interfaith activities as our Honorary Life President for many years.

With the passing of these Founder Members, it was difficult to envisage how NRS would survive, but now, having celebrated our 60 th Anniversary in 2023, we are a vibrant, thriving and continually developing community. We honour the memory of our founder members, but also honour our rabbis and student rabbis from whom we have learnt so much, MRJ and other communities who have supported us. In particular, we thank Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, Brenda Dinsdale our Hon Life president and our many volunteers who devote their time, energy, talents and enthusiasm to make NRS the warm, welcoming community that it is today.

We thank those who contribute to our:-

• Executive and Council

• Adult Education Programme

• Art Appreciation Group

• Book Group

• Buildings Team

• Cheder Team and Toddler Groups

• Chevra

• Communications Team

• Digital and technology team

• Environmental Team

• Guild, Social and catering Teams

• Interfaith Groups

• Ritual Team

• School Visits Team

• Social Action Group

• Walking Group

We have representation on or volunteers contributing to:-

• Board of Deputies

• BAME

• Charities for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and to City of Sanctuary Planning Groups

• Council of Faiths

• Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Groups

• Mitzvah day

• Movement for Reform Judaism Board

• Philip Cussins House Board

• Sacre groups

• The ‘drop In’

• The Lahav Jewish Heritage Steering Group

• The Recorder

• The Representative Council of North East Jewry​

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