Sinai Synagogue (Leeds)

Reform Jewish congregation in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sinai Synagogue (Leeds)map

Sinai Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located on Roman Avenue in Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, in the United Kingdom. The congregation was founded in 1944[2] and is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism.[3]

Quick Facts Religion, Affiliation ...
Sinai Synagogue, Leeds
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The synagogue in 2008
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRachel Weston (Cantor)
StatusActive
Location
LocationRoman Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England LS8 2AN
CountryUnited Kingdom
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Location of the synagogue in Yorkshire
Geographic coordinates53°50′50″N 1°30′37″W
Architecture
Architect(s)Halpern & Associates
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleModernist
Date established1944 (as a congregation)
Completed1960
Website
sinaileeds.uk
[1]
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History

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Perspective

Prior to World War II the Jewish community in Leeds was overwhelmingly Orthodox.[4] Rabbi L. Graf of the Reform Synagogue in Bradford attempted to start a community of worship in Leeds, presiding over a service of six people in a house in Oakwood on 8 January 1944.[4] Numbers grew and services moved to a variety of sites, eventually buying the defunct Sephardi Synagogue building at 21 Leopold Street, Leeds 7 in November 1951, which was used until 16 September 1960.[4]

Plans for a new building on Roman Avenue began in 1957. Construction began in March 1960, and was completed in November of the same year.[4] It was designed by Halpern & Associates of London.[citation needed] On 12 June 1960 the foundation stone was laid and a section of Harehills Cemetery consecrated for the use of the congregation.[4] The building was consecrated on 6 November 1960.[4]

In 1969 it was recognised as a "major organisation in the community" by the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, gaining a seat on the Council's executive.[4]

Cultural activities such as religious classes expanded until they were too large for the rooms, so a temporary building was erected in the car park in 1965; this was used until 1985, by which time additional rooms had been attached to the synagogue.[4]

The community has a burial ground in current use at Harehills Cemetery, Leeds, which is managed by Leeds City Council.[5]

The congregation publishes a quarterly magazine, the Sinai Chronicle.[6]

See also

References

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