Glasgow Reform Synagogue

Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland

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Congregation Data

Name

Glasgow Reform Synagogue (since about 2007 or since 2014⁽ⁱⁱ⁾)

Hebrew Name

Or Hadash ("New Light") adopted about 2012⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Former Names

Glasgow New Synagogue (from about 1950 until about 2007, or possibly later^(iv))

Glasgow Progressive Synagogue (until about 1950^(v))

Address:

147 Ayr Road, Newton Mearns, G77 6RE, from July 1968. A listed former municipal building, it was fully refurbished in 2002.^(vii)

Former Addresses:

306 Albert Drive, Pollokshields Street, Glasgow S1, from 1950 to 1968.^(viii)

Langside Halls, Glasgow, from about 1948 to 1950.^(ix)

90 Albert Road, Pollokshields Street, Glasgow S1, from late 1930s until about 1948.^(x)

39 Queen Street, Strathbungo, Glasgow S1, from about 1935 until late 1930s.^(xi)

prior to then, in various halls and members' homes.

Current Status:

Active

Founded:

Established in 1933 at the initiative of Samuel Ginsburg, a Glasgow printer.^(xii)

Ritual:

Reform. The only Reform congregation in Scotland.

Affiliation:

An original constituent synagogue of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain (now the Movement for Reform Judaism) (which had been formed in 1942, initially under the name Associated British Synagogues).

Website:

https://www.grs.org.uk

Ministers:

(To view a short profile of a minister who also served other congregations, hold the curser over his or her name.)

Rabbi Joseph C. Levine, BA (the first minister of the congregation) - from about 1935 to 1937^(xvi)

Rabbi Samuel Halevi Baron (also known as Barron), MA, BHL - from 1937 to 1939^(xvii)

Rev. S. Mendoza - about early 1940s^(xviii)

Rabbi Curtis E. Cassell - visiting minister from 1943, full time minister from 1945 to about 1948^(xix)

Rabbi Nigel Atkins (later known as Rabbi Hillel Avidan, see below) - from 1965 to 1967^(xxi)

Rabbi Sion David - from 1967 to 1970^(xxii)

Rabbi Hillel G. Avidan (formerly known as Rabbi Nigel Atkins, see above) - from 1970 to June 1974^(xxi)

Rabbi Simon J. Franses - from 1974 to 1987^(xxiii)

Rabbi David A. Kunin - from September 1990 to 1995^(xxiv)

Rabbi Pete Tobias - from 1995 to 2003^(xxv)

Rabbi Nancy Morris - from October 2003 to January 2012^(xxvi)

Rabbi Lisa Barrett - about 2012^(xxvii)

Rabbi Dr. Kate Briggs (part time) from July 2014 to 2016^(xxviii)

Lay Officers:
(to 1950s)^(xxxi):

Hon. President

Maurice Olsberg JP^(xxxii) (c.1934-c.1938)

Presidents

Capt. A.E. Barnett^(xxxiii) (c.1938-c.1948)

Max Newman^(xxxiv) (c.1948-c.1956)

Hon Secetaries

M. Harrison (c.1934-c.1936)

B. Levy^(xxxv) (c.1936-c.1939)

P. Glass, MA, LLB^(xxxvi) (1939-at least 1940)

H. Rosenby^(xxxvii) (at least c.1945-c.1946)

B.M. Gee^(xxxviii) (c.1946-c.1959)

Chairman

W. Mundlake^(xl) (c.1934-c.1938)

Treasurers & Hon. Treasurers^(xli)

William Lovatt^(xlii) (c.1934-c.1935)

C.G. Friezer (c.1936-c.1939)

W. Sandground^(xliii) (c.1939-at least c.1940)

Mrs. A.E. Barnett^(xliv) (at least c.1945-c.1948)

William Lovatt (c.1948-c.1950)

B. Delmonte (c.1950-c.1951)

Mrs. B. Levy (c.1951-c.1956)

Wardens^(xlviii)

c.1937-c.1946^(xlix)	W. Mundlake	William Lovatt
c.1946-c.1948	W. Mundlake	B. Levy
c.1949-c.1950	W. Mundlake	W. Ginsburg
c.1950-c.1952	W. Mundlake	W. Ginsburg	M.A. Newman
c.1952-c.1953	W. Ginsburg	M.A. Newman
c.1953-c.1956	W. Ginsburg	M.A. Newman	W. Aiken

Membership Data

Jewish Year Books (number of seatholders)^(lii)

1938

1945

1955

1957

1958

1961

90

100

135

140

170

200

National Reports and Surveys^(liii)

1977 - 137 male (or household) members and 117 female members

1983 - 143 male (or household) members and 120 female members

1990 - 172 members (comprising 91 households, 38 individual male and 43 individual female members)

1996 - 234 members (comprising 176 households, 29 individual male and 29 individual female members)

2010 & 2016 - listed as having 100 to 199 members (by household)

Charitable Status/b>:

The congregation, under the name Glasgow Reform Synagogue, is a registered Scottish charity (Scottish Charity Number SC008933), registered from 15 December 1951.^(liv)

Cemetery
Information:

The Congregation has its own cemetery - the Cardonald Cemetery (for details see Glasgow Cemetery Information on Glasgow home page)

Notes & Sources (↵ returns to text above)

(i) Reserved.

(ii) Although the "History" of the congregation congregation's website (see below), accessed 10 November 2019, states that the current name was only adopted in 2014, the congregation had been listed under this name in Jewish Year Books since 2008. ↵

(iii) Based on the first appearance of this name being in Jewish Year Book 2013. ↵

(iv) Based upon the congregation being listed under this name in Jewish Year Books from 1951 through 2007. ↵

(v) Based upon the congregation being listed under this name from its first appearance in a Jewish Year Book in 1935 until 1950. ↵

(vi) Reserved.

(vii) "History" of the congregation (see below). It was also the address under which the congregation was listed from Jewish Year Book 1969. ↵

(viii) "History" of the congregation (see below). It was also the address under which the congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books 1951 through 1968. ↵

(ix) The "History" of the congregation (see below) , refers to these premises being used "by 1947". It was also the address under which the congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1950. ↵

(x) This was the address under which the congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books 1937 through 1947. ↵

(xi) This was the address under which the congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books 1935 and 1936, although the "History" of the congregation (see below) states the the synagogue was only moved to this address in 1936. ↵

(xii) "History" of the congregation (see below). ↵

(xiii) to (xv) Reserved.

(xvi) Based upon Rabbi Levine's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1935 and 1936. The "History" of the congregation (see below) refers to his appointment from the consecration of the synagogue. ↵

(xvii) Based upon the "History" of the congregation (see below), where his name is given as Rabbi Halevi Barron. However, Rabbi Baron's is listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1939 and 1940 and no ministers were listed for the congregation in the 1937 and 1938 editions. ↵

(xviii) Based upon the "History" of the congregation (see below), which refers to Rev. Mendoza coming from London to act as rabbi during the early war years. The Jewish Year Books were not published from 1941 to 1945. ↵

(xix) Based upon the "History" of the congregation (see below) and Rabbi Cassell's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 1945/6 through 1948. ↵

(xx) Reserved.

(xxi) Based upon Rabbi Avidan's profile formerly on the South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) website, as well as the "History" of the congregation (see below). However the latter states Rabbi Atkins initially served the congregation "from 1961", which appears to be incorrect, the correct date being 1965. Furthermore, in Jewish Year Books, there were no ministers listed for the congregation from 1949 through 1965, and Rabbi Atkins/Avidan is only listed as minister in the 1966 edition (as Rev. N. Atkins), the 1967 edition (as Rabbi N. Atkins) and the editions from 1972 through 1974 (as Rabbi H. Avidan). ↵

(xxii) Based upon the "History" of the congregation (see below), Rabbi David's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1968 through 1970 and Reflections of Rabbi David. ↵

(xxiii) Based upon Rabbi Franses's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1975 through 1986 and the "History" of the congregation (see below). ↵

(xxiv) Based upon the "History" of the congregation (see below). Rabbi Kunin is not listed in any Jewish Year Book and there were no ministers listed for the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1988 through 1997. ↵

(xxv) Based upon Rabbi Tobias's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1998 through 2004 and the "History" of the congregation (see below). ↵

(xxvi) As reported in the "History" of the congregation (see below). However Rabbi Morris was only listed as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 2012. ↵

(xxvii) Profile of Rabbi Barrett on South West Essex & Settlement Reform Synagogue's website, accessed 3 July 2019. ↵

(xxviii) As reported in the "History" of the congregation (see below). ↵

(xxix) and (xxx) Reserved.

(xxxi) All this data here has been extracted from Jewish Year Books and the period of service given here generally runs from the year prior to first listing of the officer and ends with the year in which the officer was last listed. The Jewish Year Book was not published during the war years 1941 to 1945. There were no listings of officers (other than hon. secretary) after 1956. ↵

(xxxii) The letters "JP" first appeared after his name in the Jewish Year Book 1936. ↵

(xxxiii) Capt. Barnett was listed as president in the last pre-war Jewish Year Books 1939 and 1940 and in the first post-war editions 1945/6, 1947 and 1948 (there being no publication during the intervening years). It therefore presumed that he also served in that position during the war. ↵

(xxxiv) It is uncertain whether the Max Newman who served as president is the same person as the M.A. Newman who served as warden. ↵

(xxxv) B. Levy also later served as served as warden. ↵

(xxxvi) P. Glass was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1940. As there were no subsequent editions published until after the war, it is uncertain until when he continued to serve. ↵

(xxxvii) H. Rosenby was listed as hon. secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1945/46. As, due to the war, there were no previous editions since 1940, it is uncertain from what date when he began to serve. ↵

(xxxviii) B.M.Gee was also listed as secretary in the Jewish Year Book 1945/46, with H. Rosenby being listed as hon. secretary. ↵

(xxxix) Reserved.

(xl) W. Mundlake also served as senior warden (see below). ↵

(xli) The title changed from hon. treasurer to treasurer with effect from Jewish Year Book 1939. ↵

(xlii) W. Lovatt also served asubsequent term as treasurer and as junior warden (see below). ↵

(xliii) W. Sandground was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book 1940. As there were no subsequent editions published until after the war, it is uncertain until when he continued to serve. ↵

(xliv) Mrs Barnett was listed as treasurer in the Jewish Year Book from 1945/46. As, due to the war, there were no previous editions since 1940, it is uncertain from what date when she began to serve. ↵

(xlv) to (xlvii) Reserved.

(xlviii) Up to and including the Jewish Year Book 1948, the first named warden was described as senior warden and the second named warden as junior warden. ↵

(xlix) W. Mundlake and W. Lovatt were repectively listed as senior warden and junior warden in the pre-war Jewish Year Books 1938 and 1939 and in the first post-war edition 1945/6 (there being no listing of wardens in the 1940 edition and no publication during the war years 1941 through 1945). It therefore presumed that the also served in these position throughout the war. ↵

(l) and (li) Reserved.

(lii) The figures shown are taken from the Jewish Year Book for the year subsequent to the date shown. ↵

(liii) Reports on synagogue membership in the United Kingdom, published by or on behalf of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and which can be viewed on the website of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research. Click HERE for links to the various reports. ↵x

(liv) Website of OSCR Scottish Charities Regulator, accessed 9 November 2019. ↵

On-line Articles and Other Material
relating to this Congregation

on the congregation's website

History of the congregation, researched by Miriam ‘Mamie’ Shenkin and Lilah Newman.

Greater Glasgow Jewish Community home page

List of Reform Judaism Congregations

Jewish Communities and Congregations in Scotland home page

Page created: 11 October 2005
Data significantly expanded and notes added: 12 November 2019
Latest revision or update: 12 July 2020

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