Manchester Reform Synagogue
1864-2007
Archives
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Committee Minutes: Executive Committee minutes, 1954-2005; Executive Committee minutes, 1938-2007; AGM minutes, 1936, 1954-2005; Council of Founders Minute Book, 1881-1954; Park Place Synagogue Social Circle Committee Minute Book, 1929-1948; Minutes of Building Fund Committee and Maintenance Committee, 1968-1972; Ladies Guild: Minutes and membership lists, 1950s-e.1960s
Membership Records: Burial Register: Whitefield Cemetery, 1864-1968; Register of Deaths, 1857-1959; Seating Book, 1964-1968; Personal Record Cards for Congregation, 1941 onwards (Restricted Access); Record of Membership Fees, 1940s-1970s (Restricted Access)
Financial Records: Account Books, 1938-1976; Correspondence with Banks and Accountants, 1965-1968; Cash Account Book, 1948; Miscellaneous Payments and Capital Account: Prizes; Wages; Stationery; Correspondence re Anglesey loan, 1969-1980; Synagogue Private Ledger: Miscellaneous Payments, 1948-1960; Joint Subscriptions Scheme, 1977; Balance Sheets, 1988-1992, 1993; Record of Membership Fees; Miscellaneous payments; Donations; Repayments, 1966-1972
Printed Material: The Grape Vine, 1978-1984; Synagogue Bulletin, 1959-1973; Comment, 1964-1976; Jackson's Row Newsletter, 1977-2003; Inform Newsletter, Oct 1972-1995; Grape Juice, c. 1989; Magazine of Manchester Reform Synagogue Jackson's Row, 2003-2006; Order of Service/Notices of the Week, 1975-2006 Annual Reports of Manchester Congregation of British Jews (became Manchester Reform Synagogue), 1963-1967, 1971-2003; Induction Service: Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin, 24 Nov 1974; Exhibition companion: 'Park Place to Jackson's Row', John Moscrop (Synagogue History Group) 2006; Prayer books; The Council of Manchester and Salford Jews: Year Books, 1974-75; The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region: Year Books, 1976-1995.
Deeds of Covenant, 1960s-1990s
Lionel Blundell Building Fund: Cash Book, Oct 1945-1967; Private Ledger, 1945-1960; Private Ledger, 1952-1964; Account Book: Manchester Congregation of British Jews Building Fund: War Damage Account with Barclays Bank Ltd, 1951-1955.
Frederick B. Lister Papers: Building Committee; MRS Trustees; Lionel Blundell Legacy; Synagogue Choir Trustees; Building Extension; General correspondence, 1950s-1970s; Special Financial Committee, c.1949-c.1976
Colin Hoffman Papers, 1980s-2004
Rabbi Silverman Papers, 1970s-1990s (Restricted Access)
Correspondence and Other Papers, 1950s-1990s (some Restricted Access)
Photographs and Newspaper Cuttings: Miscellaneous photographs including: Choir, c.1928; Confirmation photographs, c.1959; Interior of Park Place Synagogue, Cheetham, n.d., Interior of Jackson's Row Synagogue, n.d.; Photograph sent from Rabbi M.M. Sparer, San Francisco, 1969; Miscellaneous newspaper cuttings including references to Manchester Reform Synagogue, 1950s-1970s; Newspaper cuttings from Arts Festival, 1970; Material for possible use in 50th anniversary celebration of Manchester Reform Synagogue
Related Material:Synagogue drawings and plans are still held at the synagogue.
Goldberg, P, Selvin, 'The Manchester Congregation of British Jews, 1857-1957: A Short History' (Local Studies Library 296.0942 G2A)
Title:
Manchester Reform Synagogue
Date of work:
1864-2007
Reference number:
GB127.M779
Level of description:
Fonds
Includes:
Custodial history:
The Manchester Reform Synagogue was founded in 1857 and located at Park Place on Cheetham Hill Road. The Reform Synagogue was designed by member and architect Edward Solomon. The foundation stone was laid by Horatio Micholls on 11 March 1857 and the synagogue was consecrated by Reverend Professor David Woolf Marks of the West London Synagogue on 25 March 1858. The first minister to serve was Rabbi Doctor Schiller-Szennessy. A Reform burial ground was established at Higher Lane in Whitefield and burial records were kept from the foundation of the synagogue to the 1970s.
The second minister of the synagogue was Dr. Gustav Gottheil followed by Rev Dr Issac Weiner (1873-1877), Rev Laurence Mark Simmons (1877-1900), Rev Abraham Wolf (1901-1907), Rev Harry Lewis (1908-1913), Rev Jacob Phillips (1913-1940), Rabbi Percy Goldberg (1940-1974), Rabbi Toviah Ben Chorin (1974-1977) and from 1977 Rabbi Reuven Silverman.
On 1 June 1941 the synagogue at Park Place was destroyed in the blitz and very few records and possessions survived. Consequently the majority of synagogue records date from this time onwards. Temporary accommodation was found and services continued under the leadership of Rabbi Goldberg. Compensation was applied for from the War Damage Commission through Frederick Lister, a member of the Executive. In 1949 the site for the new synagogue on Jackson's Row in Manchester was purchased with an award from the War Damage Commission, the funds from the Lionel Blundell building appeal and a loan from Alexander Levy. The building was designed by Bernard Kuit and Vivien Steinart. The site was consecrated on 18 May 1952 and the synagogue opened on 29 November 1953.
As the congregation grew the building was expanded and additional synagogues were opened, Menorah in South Manchester (1972) and Sha'arei Shalom in North Manchester (1976). The synagogue has a long tradition of teaching, offering both adult education and classes for children including Cheder and a Bar/Bat Mitzvah group. In addition there is a large network of social groups both for adults and young people.
The records include details of the congregation, services, education, social activities, finance, committees, the Council and Executive and the papers of Colin Hoffman, President, and Rabbi Silverman.
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedSome material is on restricted access. Please ask the staff for more details.Reseacher can access the majority of restricted access material by signing the 'Reseacher Undertaking Concerning Access to Archives that Would Otherwise be Closed'.
However membership records that are on restricted access are closed for 100 years. The synagogue should be consulted with regards to accessing this information.
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
Topics:
Record types:
Manchester Archives and Local Studies
Language:
English
Record number:
7199070
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Total copies: 1