Great Synagogue

Congregation Data

Name:

Great Synagogue

Previous Name:

Old Hebrew Congregation (sometimes referred to as the Englisher Shul.)

Addresses:

Belgrave Street, Leeds, from 1860 (the "Belgrave Street Synagogue", consecrated August 1861, rebuilt in 1878).

Previously in Back Rockingham Street, Camp Road area (the "Back Rockingham Street Synagogue"), from 1846 - now the site of Merrion Centre.

Founded:

1846 (prior thereto the community prayed in a converted loft in Bridge Street, at the bottom of Lady Lane - the "Bridge Street Minyan").

Closure:

Closed 1983

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliations:

In 1890s, became a member of the United Synagogues of Leeds, which also included the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol.
In 1930, the Great Synagogue became one of the original constituent synagogues of the Leeds United Hebrew Congregation.

Incorporated Congregations:

The following congregations were incorporated into the Great Synagogue:

• Copenhagen Street Chevra (1876)

• Neir Tamid Chevra (1800s)

Ministers:

Rev. Ephraim Cohen - 1849 to 1860 (Reader, Shochet & Mohel)

Rev. Kaufman - from 1860

Rev Moses Abrahams  - late 19th century

Membership Data:

1845 - 6 ba'alai batim (Chief Rabbi's Questionnaire)

1851 - 18 seatholders, with average Sabbath attendance of 35. (Chief Rabbi's census)

1852 - 18 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1860 - 44 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1870 - 88 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1880 - 150 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1890 - 280 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)

1895 - 300 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1896)

1900 - 300 seatholders (Board of Deputies Returns)