Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue

Name:

Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue

Address:

Street Lane Gardens, 399 Street Lane, Moortown, Leeds LS17 6HQ

Other Addresses:

At one time there were two branches:

1.  The original branch, which closed in about 1973, at the following addresses:

• Parkside, Newton Park View, Chapeltown Road, Leeds 7 - the last address, from 1937 to 1973;

• Bridge Street (corner Lower Brunswick Street & Back Nile Street) from 1908 to 1937;

• Upper Hope Street from 1886 to 1908 (moving to larger premises in Hope Street in 1895);

• 20a St Albans Street  (home of several synagogues over the years) from 1877 to 1886;

• Templar Street, where it started as a small congregation in the early 1870s

All the above addressses, apart from Parkside, are in or around the Leylands district of Leeds.

2.  The present Moortown branch, which first commenced services in about 1959. New synagogue built and opened in 1969

Current Status:

Active

In 2023, it was announced that the congregation would merge with Etz Chaim Synagogue, forming a new congregation operating from Etz Chaim adapted building on Harrogate Road.

Date Formed:

1874

Affiliations:

In 1890's and some time thereafter, was a member of the United Synagogues of Leeds, which also included the Great Synagogue.
Now, a provincial synagogue under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Membership Data:

Newton Park View branch

1904 - 250 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1905)
1909 - 180 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1910)
1940 - 560 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1940-41)
1946 - 560 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1947)
1953 - 620 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1954)

Moortown branch

1999 - 710  (Board of Deputies)

Affiliates:

At certain times, the following congregations were affiliated:

• Chissidiche Chevra (Synagogue) (Jewish Year Books 1940)

• Chevra Shilleler (Jewish Year Books 1935-45)

• Chevra Sefard (Sward) (Jewish Year Books 1935)

• Chevra Torah (Jewish Year Books 1935-45)

• Roundhay Road Cheva (Synagogue) (Jewish Year Books 1935-40)

Incorporated Congregations:

The following congregations were incorporated into Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue:

• Chevra Torah (early 1940's)

• Leeds Zionist Synagogue (1955)

• Old Central Synagogue (1958)

• Roundhay Road Cheva (Synagogue) (1958)

Website:

http://www.bhhs.co.uk/

Marriage Certification:

Worship Number 71767
Registration District: Leeds North

Records:

All Synagogue records prior to 1952 destroyed in a fire.

Cemetery:

The congregation generally used or uses the Hill Top Cemeteries and the BHH Cemetery. For details see Cemetery Information on Leeds Jewish Community home page.

See also Database below.