Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation is a large Orthodox synagogue located in greater, Manchester and is considered part of the "North Manchester" Jewish community, in the United Kingdom and caters to mostly Ashkenazi Jews. [ [http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/m15_heaton/index.htm JCR-UK Jewish Communities & Records: Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation] ]

The rabbi for over 30 years was Reverend Leslie Olsberg, who was to become Emeritus Rabbi in 2008, however Reverend Olsberg died recently, and Rabbi Daniel Walker has succeeded him. Yehooda Marks is the hazzan.

History

The Manchester Jewish Community presently stands at approximately 35,000 Jews making it the second largest Jewish community in the United Kingdom, dating from the 1780s. [ [http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/worship/worship7.html Manchester & the Northwest Region of England: About Manchester Jewry] ] From 1889 to 1974, the Jewish congregation that eventually established this synagogue was in the county borough of Manchester, geographically (though not administratively) within the County of Lancashire. [ [http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/m15_heaton/index.htm JCR-UK Jewish Communities & Records: Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation] ]

The congregation was formally founded in 1935. The congregation is presently in the metropolitan borough of the City of Manchester (within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, which no longer has any administrative powers). By 1999 it had a membership of 550. [ [http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/m15_heaton/index.htm JCR-UK Jewish Communities & Records: Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation] ]

In the news

The synagogue is an important part of Manchester's Jewish community.

In 2002, the synagogue reported that antisemtic epithets were shouted at it: "On 15th September 2002, antisemitic epithets were shouted in the direction of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester." [ [http://www.antisemitism.org.il/eng/events/4671/Britain_%26%238211%3B_Antisemitic_Epithets_Shouted_in_Manchester The Coordination Forum for Countering Antisemitism, 15-09-2002/Britain] ]

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation's rabbi was quoted in the "Manchster Evening News" when a local Jewish cemetery was desecrated in 2005:

:Outrage over Jewish cemetery attack.:More than 100 gravestones were smashed in a racist attack on a Jewish cemetery. Graves of Holocaust survivors were among those badly damaged at Rainsough Jewish cemetery in Prestwich. It is the ninth time in 10 years that vandals have desecrated graves at the Prestwich cemetery, one of the Manchester's largest Jewish burial grounds...The Rev Leslie Olsberg, Minister of the Heaton Park Hebrew congregation said: "I am devastated. I received the news with great disbelief. I put it down to mindless vandalism. The families of relatives are devastated and only time will release the grief and tension that they must be suffering at the present time. "I have not had a chance yet to enquire into the steps that will be taken to bring a little normality to the situation. From what I believe the responsibility for repairs rests with the families." [ [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/161/161943_outrage_over_jewish_cemetery_attack.html "Manchester Evening News", "Outrage over Jewish cemetery attack" by Paul Britton, 10/6/2005] ]

Rabbi Olsberg was quoted in "This Is Lancashire":

:Minister’s praise for care at Heathlands.:Popular minister, Reverend Leslie Olsberg, was back at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation after suffering a heart attack four months ago...Rev Olsberg, who recently spent a period in Heathlands Village recuperating had high praise for the organisation. He said: "I have spent 40 years as chaplain at Heathlands. But you can't fully appreciate something until you experience it. I now appreciate the care they provide from the inside. I think the community should take more interest in the good that goes on in there." [ [http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2007/10/20/1034489.html "This Is Lancashire" Lancashire|Archive|2007|October|20] ]

The rabbis retirement was noted in The Jewish Chronicle, April 2008:

:Tributes to Manchester minister:Bury South MP Ivan Lewis was among over 220 family, friends and congregants at a testimonial dinner for the Rev Leslie Olsberg in advance of his retirement as minister of Manchester’s Heaton Park Synagogue. Rev Olsberg will retire on May 10, his 86th birthday, after 35 years’ service. Paying tribute, Mr Lewis said: “He has been there for every section of our community. He was my barmitzvah teacher and inspired generations with his belief that every child is special, regardless of their level of observance.” Another speaker was Eric Wilson, ex-head of the Manchester Jewish Grammar and King David Junior schools. He recalled meeting Rev Olsberg in 1961 at a job interview at Manchester Jewish Grammar, where the minister was honorary secretary. Mr Wilson was not impressed by the school but Rev Olsberg convinced him to take the job and they became friends. Rev Olsberg later became chaplain to King David Schools. [ [http://www.thejc.com/home.aspx?ParentId=m11s20&SecId=20&AId=59317&ATypeId=1 "The Jewish Chronicle", "Tributes to Manchester minister" by Estelle Beninson 11/04/2008] ]

References