Newcastle Reform Synagogue

Welcome to the website of the Newcastle Reform Synagogue (NRS), a community of about 200 adults and children living in the North East and Cumbria

Our rabbi
Our part-time rabbi, Barbara Borts, began work with us in August 2008. After studying in her native California, Rabbi Borts moved to Europe and was ordained in 1981 from Leo Baeck College (becoming the joint 3rd woman rabbi in the UK). She worked as a congregational rabbi at Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue, and then she took a break to run the Homeless Volunteer Scheme of CSV (Community Service Volunteers.) She founded and ran the Social Issues Group of the RSGB and was involved in interfaith and women's dialogue groups. Rabbi Borts then worked as an adult Jewish studies educator in North America, leading to her M.A. from McGill University in Culture and Values in Education. Since her return to the UK, she has worked as a rabbinical consultant and an educator. Rabbi Borts is pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Durham, and travels once a month to Basel, Switzerland, to work with a small community there, with whom we are twinned (see their website). She loves music, and is often to be found walking her dogs.

You can contact Rabbi Borts at therabab@hotmail.com or by telephone on 07889 206327

Services

Erev Shabbat services (Friday night) usually begin at 8pm and last about an hour, but on the last Friday of each month, the service is at 6.30pm, followed by a Friday night dinner (must be pre-booked and paid for)
Shabbat morning services begin at 10.30am and last up to 2 hours.
We also have services for all major and most minor Festivals
[see Calendar page].

We are a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

To contact us
Telephone: 0191 284 8621
(24 hr answerphone)
Registered charity No: 246816

General

Do let the rabbi know of any personal or health issues where her support would be appreciated (remembering that as a part-time rabbi, she'll prioritise the most urgent). You might also like to look at her website at www.therabab.mypodcast.com, where you'll find some good music she'd like to share with us.

And what's happening soon?

8 May 2009
It may seem a long time off right now, but if you fancy coming along to the ever-successful Jewish Book Group, the next meeting is on Tuesday 8 September at 19.30 and the book to be reading is Barney's Version, by Mordecai Richler. So you have plenty of notice to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this long book!!

Much closer is our AGM, on Sunday 17 May at 17.00. Please come and contribute to your shul's future.

30 April 2009
The latest copy of Focus is available here.

21 April 2009
2 May at 10.30 is our monthly Kindershabbos
Sunday 10 May Ramble with the Rabbi - it's (almost) Lag ba'Omer
Meet up at the entrance to Pets Corner, Jesmond Dene, 13.50 for a 14.00 start - a gentle walk round Jesmond Dene, followed by refreshments at the café at about 16.00. All are welcome. Bring your dog. If you can't do the walk, you can still meet up with the walkers for a cup of tea.
10 May is just two days before Lag Ba'Omer, a minor celebration when picnics and outdoor activities are traditional.

The Annual General Meeting of Newcastle Reform Synagogue will take place on Sunday, 17 May 2009 at 17.00 at NRS. Please join us.
On Sunday 31 May at 14.30 we're holding a Bingo afternoon; the ticket price will include refreshments. Wonderful prizes are on offer, and we hope people of all ages will come.

17 April 2009
Don't forget Monday's Yom HaShoah service, starting at 19.30, with readings, songs and remembrances (20 April).
Do book up for our next Friday night dinner on Friday 24 April. The service starts at 18.30, followed by the dinner - it's always a lovely evening.
There are Yom HaAtzmaut celebrations at UHC on Tuesday 28 April. Contact Brenda if you'd like tickets.

General information
There are many ways to study and learn at NRS: the GCSE/Basic Judaism class on Sundays at 10.30 and the Pirkei Avot Study Sessions before one shabbat morning service each month at 09.30 are just two. If you'd like more information, contact the rabbi.

The new prayer book, Seder Ha-T'fillot, is available through the synagogue at £19.95 for Members and Friends and £24.95 for non-members.

Calendar

NRS News - what's been happening?

17 April 2009
Pesach is over, but some of us are still feeling the lovely warmth and community-feeling of our first night seder. If you missed it this year - be sure to book next year!

29 March 2009
On Friday night, some of us discovered at least an embryonic inner Hasid - while others enjoyed the rabbi's energy and singing but perhaps weren't quite so sure about Rabbi Carlebach's approach! Those of us who did enjoy it began to let go of our typical British reserve and could be seen and heard clapping, swaying and almost dancing - and singing our hearts out.

The Friday night meal which followed was, as ever, a triumph of Brenda's ability to organise and co-ordinate, producing a delicious three-course meal in her smart new chef's coat before dashing off to get to a meeting in the south!

7 March 2009
Today's Kindershabbos was an enjoyable occasion - but there was only one child there!! Fortunately, many of us discovered our inner child to bang tambourines and shake bells, to practise our Purim booing and some of us even managed to keep quiet when we were told to.....

12 February 2009
Last Sunday, Tu B’Shvat saw a wide range of ages together in the shul to enjoy the seder for this lovely festival.

6 February 2009
What a truly wonderful weekend that was. Many people enjoyed Rabbi Dr Michael Shire's address at the Shabbat evening service, and when Rabbi James Baaden was unable to be present for Shabbat morning, Rabbi Dr Michael Shire led a discussion on the sedra, including whether to miss out or explain difficult and uncomfortable Torah portions.

But the real high point was the Induction on Sunday. The warmth, the feeling of community, the sense of connection, was imbued throughout. NRS feels very connected to our not-so-new rabbi and she to us; we felt connection with our sister community in Basel, two of whose members were with us, and with Reform Judaism across the UK. There were former congregants of Rabbi Borts' from Radlett and Bushey, and a great turn-out from the Movement for Reform Judaism, including Rabbi Ian Morris from Leeds and David Jacobs, the Movement's Synagogue Support Director. We also welcomed many other guests including local religious leaders and the Sheriff of Newcastle.

Both our founder members and Life Presidents, Nonek Jacobson and George Loble, spoke. George outlined the history of our synagogue and said: "In the short time since her arrival, Rabbi Borts has endeared herself to us all. She works extremely hard in her part-time role. She is extremely knowledgeable, very warm and has seemingly inexhaustible energy. Having had several capable, but tone deaf Rabbis, we are truly delighted that Rabbi Borts has a beautiful voice and we are enjoying listening to her and, I must say, learning many new tunes which enhance our devotions."

Rabbi Danny Rich and Rabbi James Baaden led parts of the service, and Rabbi Dr Michael Shire undertook the induction. You'll not be surprised to learn that there was a very good spread for the tea afterwards!!