Sinai Synagogue (Leeds)
Sinai Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation on Roman Avenue in Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1944[2] and is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism.[3]
| Sinai Synagogue, Leeds | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Leadership | Rachel Weston[1] |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Roman Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS8 2AN England |
| Geographic coordinates | 53.8471°N 1.5103°W |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1960 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The community has a burial ground in current use at Harehills Cemetery, Leeds, which is managed by Leeds City Council.[4]
It publishes a quarterly magazine, the Sinai Chronicle.[5]
History
Prior to World War II the Jewish community in Leeds was overwhelmingly Orthodox.[6] 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.[6] 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.[6]
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.[6] It was designed by Halpern & Associates of London. On 12 June 1960 the foundation stone was laid and a section of Harehills Cemetery consecrated for the use of the congregation.[6] The building was consecrated on 6 November 1960.[6]
In 1969 it was recognised as a "major organisation in the community" by the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, gaining a seat on the Executive.[6]
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.[6]
See also
References
- "Cantor Rachel Weston". Sinai Synagogue Leeds. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- "Sinai (Reform) Synagogue Leeds, West Yorkshire". Congregation Data. JCR-UK. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- "Simcha at Sinai". Movement for Reform Judaism. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- "Sinai Synagogue Cemetery (Leeds)". Leeds Jewish Community West Yorkshire. JCR-UK. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
- "Sinai Chronicle". www.sinaileeds.uk. Sinai Synagogue, Leeds. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- Sterne, Ernest C. (June 1985). The Early History of the Sinai Synagogue, Leeds 1944–1970. Harrogate: Enid Taylor Ltd.