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'Magen David' - a shield or star of DavidABOUT US

Newcastle Reform Synagogue was founded in 1963 and is run by an elected council. This page gives you some background information about us, our community, our synagogue and our council. If you have any further queries about us, please do get in touch.

The Synagogue is an autonomous body which is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism based at the Sternberg Centre for Judaism in Finchley, London. NRS is also a member of the Representative Council of North East Jewry.


The Reform Synagogue Movement
The Movement for Reform Judaism consists of around 40 Synagogues throughout Great Britain comprising over 40,000 members. The movement is growing and has its own Beth Din (Court of Rabbis) which deals with matters concerning Jewish status.

Synagogue Building

Newcastle Reform Synagogue - Front entrance

Our purpose-built Synagogue was officially opened on 17th March 1985. The multi-purpose building can hold up to 200 people and includes classrooms, kitchen facilities and a secure car park which is used over Shabbat (the Sabbath).

Social Activities/Guild
The Synagogue and the Guild organise various activities from time to time. These are especially around festivals and provide excellent social occasions to meet members and also assist in raising much needed funds for the community. These include a hugely popular communal Seder (Passover meal), occasional catered Friday evening dinners and chavurot (where everyone brings food to share) as well as quiz nights and once in a while a dinner dance. Helpers and Guild members are always much sought after as wherever possible a 'hands on' approach helps to conserve Synagogue funds!
Judaica Shop
The Synagogue operates a small Judaica shop where religious items, prayer books and cards may be purchased or ordered on request.
Communication
The Synagogue publishes a newsletter called 'Focus' roughly 6 times per annum. Editorial and advertising contributions are always very welcome. The publication is free to all members and to fee-paying 'friends'. It is customary to make a donation towards the cost of Focus and to insert a greeting prior to the Jewish High Holydays.


Regular Services
NRS holds services for all major festivals, High Holydays as well as regular weekly services. Erev Shabbat (Friday night - the eve of Sabbath) services commence at 8:00pm. The last Friday evening service at the end The 'Sefer Torah' is processed and the bearer wears a 'Tallit' or prayer shawlof each month commences at 6:30pm and incorporates a special Sabbath eve meal, which is chargeable. Shabbat morning (Saturday) services commence at 10:30am and include processing of and reading from the Torah.

Rabbi
Rabbi Barbara Borts took up her part-time appointment with us on 1 August 2008. We thank Rabbi Amanda Golby for the year she spent as our visiting rabbi prior to this.

Council
NRS is administered by an elected Council and Honorary Officers who are always available to assist members. They are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting (Calendar/News) and may be contacted in the first instance by calling the Synagogue office.
Catering/Functions
All catering on the Synagogue premises or under the auspices of the Synagogue is kosher (complying with Jewish law) although not supervised and either milchig (dairy based with no meat ingredients) or parev (with no meat or milk ingredients). It is hoped that this provides a universally acceptable standard.

The Synagogue hall, rooms and kitchen may be hired for private use. Arrangements may be made through a member of Council subject to availability and approval by the Council of the caterer (who must understand and agree to only use kosher parev ingredients) and of the purpose for the booking. A hire fee is charged and the facility must strictly be returned in good and tidy order.


NRS Customs
Each Reform Synagogue has its own minhag (local customs) and the style of service will vary somewhat from one community to another. In Newcastle the services are conducted in Hebrew (roughly 65%) and English and participation is encouraged especially with regard to joining in the singing. Men are asked to wear kippot (head coverings) and tallitot (prayer shawls) when appropriate - these are optional for women. Men and women participate in the service and may be called up to read from the Torah (the scrolls containing the five books of Moses - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

Our Synagogue showing the 'Ark', the 'Bimah' or dais and the reading desk from where the Rabbi or lay leader conducts the service

There are no reserved seats or allocations. Members and visitors may sit wherever they wish and men and women sit together. Please note that at times, security measures may be in operation and all members and visitors are kindly asked to cooperate and to be vigilant.

Members and Jewish visitors are offered mitzvot (the Warden delegates specific roles in the services). There is no requirement to offer a donation in return for this privilege as in some Synagogues. However donations, at the discretion of visitors, are always gratefully received.

The Synagogue is regarded as a Beit Ha'knesset (meeting place) and snacks are often served after services to encourage attendees to meet and socialise. A kiddush (sanctification of wine and bread where short blessings are recited) usually follows immediately after each Shabbat morning service.