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Our Synagogue

Welcome to Newcastle Reform Synagogue.

 

We are a Reform Jewish community of around 170 adults and children offering a range of religious services, adult and children's education, social activities and community support.

 

Regular weekly Shabbat and Festival Services are held.

 

Our building and classrooms provide a focus for learning and social occasions within a single buiilding which is large enough to accommodate everyone, even at the busiest times.

 

Welcome from the Chair

 

As I reflect on recent times and anticipate the forthcoming year in our welcoming and vibrant community I am aware of how fortunate we remain to have such a dedicated group of followers who work so hard to ensure the smooth running of the Synagogue and life of the community. In recent weeks we were able to celebrate many very special occasions, including a baby blessing and a Barmitzvah. We worked together to make Mitzvah Day a successful social communal activity as well as generating resources and funds for our charities supporting refugees, asylum seekers and the homeless. We enjoyed games, activities and latkes during our Chanukah party and the lighting of the first candle and celebrated Havdalah together and the lighting of the seventh candle as well as demolishing even more doughnuts.
 
In this coming year of 2023 NRS will celebrate our 60th Anniversary. We are so fortunate to have the continued input of Rabbi Sybil Sheridan and welcome Student Rabbi Helen Altorf. I am delighted that we continue to welcome new members, including young families, friends and visitors. We are indeed a community that continues to thrive. We look forward to a range  of religious, social, cultural and learning opportunities, including regular and family services, our ever popular communal meals, Kiddushim, communal Seder, Jewish Book Group, The Art Appreciation Group and Adult Education. Music is continuing to be developed within the community and we look forward to the reestablishment of the choir. The Social Action Group works to support local charities and our Environmental Team continues to develop ways that  we can be more environmentally friendly as a community. We are building on our achievement of having received a Silver Award under the Eco-Judaism Scheme.


We can arrange lifts for those who find it difficult to attend and we are happy to visit
members in their homes or have a chat on the phone. We contribute to and support joint
activities with our neighbouring Jewish communities and promote positive attitudes and greater understanding of Judaism through a range of interfaith activities, school visits and talks to a variety of organisations. We aim to communicate successfully with members and the wider world through our Website, NRS News, our fortnightly newsletter and Facebook page. We would welcome the involvement of others and all offers of assistance are gratefully received. My thanks and good wishes go to you all. There is so much for us to celebrate as a community and we look forward to a year of continued success. In a year in which we have seen some sad losses as a community and ongoing strife across the world, it is my hope as ever that 2023 will bring peace and joy to the Jewish community in the North East and the wider world.

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Linda Scott

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The Rabbi's Message

 

Rabbi Sybil Sheridan

 

Rabbi Sybil Sheridan first came to Newcastle Reform Synagogue as a student Rabbi in 1980. Since then, she has served a number of congregations, including in Ealing, Reading, Wimbledon and West London Synagogue. Now, at the end of her career, she would like to focus on small communities  where she hopes she can make a strong and positive contribution to the lives of its members.

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Rabbi Sybil has a deep interest in interfaith matters, being one of the very first Jews to study theology in Cambridge. She has served on the committee of the Bishops’ Conference for Catholic Jewish Relations in the UK and teaches Muslim Jewish Text Study seminars along with Sheikha Halima Krausen. She also has a keen interest in social justice issues in this country and abroad. She is on the advisory committee of Tzelem, the cross communal rabbinic forum for social justice, and a founder of the organisation MEKETA supporting Jews living in Ethiopia.

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Rabbi Sybil has contributed to, written and edited a number of books, mostly on Bible, but also on the experience of women Rabbis, ‘Hear our Voice,’ - and on liturgy for women entitled ‘Taking up the Timbrel,’

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‘ I am very excited to be coming back to a community I loved as a student. It is lovely to reconnect with old friends, sad to see how many of the once familiar faces have passed away, but delighted to meet as many new and interesting people.’

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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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nonek and claire.png

Claire and Nonek Jacobson

George and Eve Lobel

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To become a Member

 

If you are thinking of becoming a new member, or are just interested in finding out more about us just click on the page headings above to get a better feel for life here at the NRS.

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Once you have read enough on our website, please contact us to arrange a meeting. You will be made very welcome.

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Please email us to arrange a visit or attend a service for the first time..

 

The building has access for wheelchair users. There is an induction loop for the hearing impaired in the synagogue itself.

 
Member Application
 
Conversion Candidate Application
 
Friend Application
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School & Group Visits

 

   

Here at NRS we please to have the opportunity to welcome visitors


We host visits Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings: 10.00 am – 12.00 and 1.00- 3.00 pm excepting religious festivals that occur at specific times of the year.


Visits are hosted by members of the community. All bookings are initially provisional until we are able to confirm that a member of the community is available for the date requested
 

Talks about Judaism and tours of the synagogue usually take about 1 ½ hrs; we cover:

  • religious practice held in the synagogue and in the Jewish home,

  • show the Torah scrolls,

  • demonstrate the use of ritual objects and any other topics specifically requested.

 

Out of respect for our traditions we ask that on visiting the synagogue , male visitors remove outdoor hats and cover their heads with skull caps which we provide​

 

We do not make a charge for visits but a donation of £20-30 is appreciated to cover costs.
 

No food or drink is allowed to be brought into the synagogue as we observe Jewish dietary laws; we cannot provide refreshments

 

Photographs are allowed inside the synagogue but for security reasons we do not give permission for the outside of the building to be photographed

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To make a booking please email us with

  • the name of the school / organisation 

  • the name of the lead teacher / organiser of the visit ,

  • the proposed date and time of the visit

  • the number and (where appropriate) ages of the children

 

We will then contact you to discuss your requirements and confirm details.
 

We look forward to welcoming you

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Services

 

The cycle of festivals, including Shabbat, mark the Jewish year.

 

We hold services most Shabbat evenings and mornings, and for all major festivals and the High Holydays. We livestresm most services and hold regular services on zoom (please see your newsletter or ask for details)

 

Our Erev Shabbat (Friday evening) services begin at 8pm except on the last Friday of each month when we start at 6.45pm, usually follwed by a Shabbat meal.

 

Shabbat morning (Saturday) services begin at 10.30am, and include carrying the Torah scroll in procession around the synagogue and reading the weekly parasha (portion) from it, the first shabbat of each month is our Family Service beginning at 10.30am, with a service designed to be child friendly and welcoming to all generations. 

 

 

Marking Life Cycle Events at the NRS

 

NRS offers all the life stage ceremonies of Judaism

 

 

Brit Milot/ Baby Blessings

 

We help to organise Brit Milot (for boys) and Baby Blessing/Naming ceremonies for both boys and girls.

 

 

B'nei Mitzvot - Bar and Bat Mitzvah

 

We arrange an intensive study period, supervised by the Rabbi, for all young boys and girls approaching 13. The young person then takes responsibility for parts of a Shabbat morning service, as well as reading in Hebrew from the Torah scroll.

 

 

Chuppot

 

Jewish weddings take place under a chuppah (wedding canopy) in our synagogue, and we can arrange both the legal and Jewish aspects.

 

 

Bereavement

 

Our community has its own female and male Chevra Kaddisha. We have our own Cemetery and Prayer House at Preston Cemetery, North Shields. Burial is offered for members of NRS, many of whom belong to our Burial Scheme. Arrangements can be made at the time for others. 

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