Giffnock Synagogue

for both children and teenagers.

piritual leadership

The congregation is led by Rabbi Moshe Rubin who originally hails from the United States having joined the community in 1990, first serving as their Cantor. He was asked to take over the pulpit upon the retirement of the previous Rabbi (Rabbi Philip Greenberg) approximately seven years ago. Giffnock's Emeritus Cantor is Rev Ernest Levy OBE. The Cantor for the High Holydays 2008 was Chazan Russell Grossman, of London.

Brief History and Community

Founded in 1934 approximately, the synagogue stood at May Terrace in Giffnock until 1968. The new current complex was erected on Maryville Avenue. Giffnock Synagogue is described as a "provincial synagogue". As a member of the United Synagogue organization of Great Britain, it is under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi. It is the largest Jewish community in Scotland. Services are conducted in the Ashkenazi Orthodox ritual.

Membership

*1938 - 350 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1939)
*1950 - 400 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1951)
*1953 - 550 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1954)
*1957 - 750 seatholders (Jewish Year Book 1958)
*2007 - 700 seatholders (approximation)

ee also

*History of the Jews in Scotland
*Synagogues
*Synagogue architecture
*Judaism
*Modern Orthodox Judaism
*Ashkenazi Jews

External links

* [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/Scotland.html The Virtual Jewish History Tour - Scotland]
* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=403&letter=S&search=scotland Jewish Encyclopedia on Scotland]
* [http://www.sjac.org.uk/ Scottish Jewish Archives Centre]

References

*JewishEncyclopedia