Sha'arei Shalom Synagogue
The Origins of Sha'arei Shalom
Our community was founded in 1977 by a group of about 10 like minded families who were then members of the Jackson's Row, Manchester, Reform Synagogue. The group wanted a synagogue nearer to their homes in North Manchester, so moved away amicably from their parent synagogue, and, with the support of the members and rabbinate at Jackson's Row and of the RSGB, set about building up a community and a synagogue for North Manchester.
Early services and meetings were held in the homes of the founding families. They moved on to rented church and public halls until they were eventually able to purchase land and to build the new synagogue on Elms Street, Whitefield, which opened in May 1980 and was given the Hebrew name Œלּוּםù יּøשּﬠ (Sha'arei Shalom) which translates into English as the Gates of Peace.
Over the intervening years the synagogue has been led by an Council of Members and has steadily grown to the position in 2003 where there are 200 member families.
Past leaders of the community have been
Year |
Chairman |
Hon Secretary |
Treasurer |
| We're exploring | the archives and records | to find the relevant details to | complete this page. |
| Melvyn Flacks | |||
| Tony Rosenfield | |||
| Henry Abrahams | |||
| David Farber | |||
| Gwyneth Abrahams | |||
| 1997 - 2000 | Brian Fink | Colin Wicks | |
| 2000 - 2002 | Eric Cohen | Colin Wicks | Brian Fink |
| 2002 - 2005 | Eric Cohen | Leon Dysch | Brian Fink |
| 2005- 2007 | Eric Cohen | Louis Weiner | Brian Fink |
| 2008 - date | Wayne Rashman | Louis Weiner | Brian Fink |
Religious
Ritual has been decided upon by a Ritual Committee and for many years regular
services have been conducted by Lay Reader members and occasional visiting
Rabbis. On several occasions, the Council has appointed a Rabbi to the Community
with varying degrees of contractual obligation:
1981 -1982 Rabbi Hillel Avidan
1985 - 1986 Student Rabbi Pete Tobias
1993 Consultant Rabbi Walter Rothschild
1997 Consultant Rabbi Sidney Kay
1998 - 1999 Student Rabbi Warren Elf
1999 - 2000 Rabbi Warren Elf
2001 - 2007 Rabbi Norman Zalud (shared with Liverpool Liberal Synagogue)
2007 - date Rabbi Norman Zalud (part time)
In 1998 a serious difference of opinion on rabbinical style led to the resignation of several members of the Council who resigned their membership of the synagogue and founded a new community, Chaim V'Tikvah. Their services and meetings are once again held in in the homes of the founding families and rented church and public halls. Meanwhile, Sha'arei Shalom continues to prosper.
2002 was the Silver Anniversary Year of the Sha'arei Shalom North Manchester Reform Jewish Community. The Silver Jubilee was celebrated in various ways throughout the year.
2008 will be our 30th Anniversary. Plans will be considered as to how to mark this next milestone.