Manchester Marks 150 Years
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
As 5768 drew to a close members of Manchester Reform Synagogue also brought to an end a year that marked their 150th anniversary as a congregation.
The Manchester Reform Synagogue was founded in 1857 when Manchester’s Orthodox Synagogue, Halliwell Street, split into two congregations. One became the Orthodox Great Synagogue. The other, which represented those members of the Manchester Jewish community of a reformist tendency, became the Manchester Congregation of British Jews.
The original building was in Park Place, at the near end of Cheetham Hill Road. This fine building was consecrated on 25th March 1858. The Synagogue associated itself from the outset with the West London Synagogue, which had been founded in 1841.
The early years of the twentieth century saw the ministries of Rev Abraham Wolf (1901 to 1907), Rev Harry Lewis (1908 to 1913) and Rev Jacob Phillips (1913 to 1940), followed from 1940 by Rabbi Percy Goldberg. It was during his ministry that the Park Place building was bombed on 1st June 1941 during the blitz of Manchester. In one disaster, the congregation lost its building as well as most of its records and treasured possessions.
However, thanks in large measure to the dynamic leadership of Rabbi Percy Goldberg, there was not even a break in services. When the present site in Jackson’s Row became available, it was purchased in 1949, and has remained the congregation’s present home ever since, with plans for it’s redevelopment over the next year.
From 1977, Rabbi Reuven Silverman has been the spiritual leader and under his guidance, the congregation has continued to flourish.
To mark the congregation’s 150th anniversary, many events were held throughout the year. Visiting Rabbis have conducted services including Rabbis Norman Zalud, Warren Elf, Michael Shire and Michael Hilton. The congregation also played host to Rabbis Margaret Jacobi and Sybil Sheridan.
The Ladies Guild hosted a Summer Garden Party in Hale on 1st June 2008, with guest speaker Jonathan Goldberg QC, son of the late Rabbi Percy Selvin Goldberg.
There was an anniversary lecture series which proved to be a great success. Around 50 to 80 people regularly attended the lectures at the School of Humanities at the University of Manchester, on such subjects as Religion and the Secular State.
The congregation held a commemorative service in Victorian dress on 23rd June 2007, featuring Sherlock Holmes, followed by a lunch that over 150 members attended.
A 150th Jubilee Lecture was given by Rabbi Tovia ben Chorin, on 28th June 2007. Rabbi ben Chorin, who was minister at Jackson's Row from 1974 to 1977, is now emeritus Rabbi at the Or Chadash Liberal Community in Zurich.
Members of the staff and congregation took part in BBC GMR ‘It’s Kosher’ programme on 14th January 2008. A film evening followed on 3rd February 2008, with a Civic Service on 23 February 2008 led by Head of the Movement for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Dr. Tony Bayfield.
A Family Service and Chavurah Lunch celebrated Israel’s 60th birthday, and a Blue & White Ball celebrated the end of the 150th anniversary year on 22 June 2008.
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