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The Virtual Jewish History TourScotlandby Jacqueline ShieldsEarly History The Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries 1900's Modern Day Scotland Synagogues in Glasgow
Unlike the Jews of England, the Jews of Scotland have enjoyed an uninterrupted history since there seem to have been no Jews in Scotland prior to 1290, when the Jews were expelled from England. Individual Jews did, however, have interests in Scotland without actually settling there, as shown by an official regulation passed in 1180 by the Bishop of Glasgow forbidding churchmen to, "ledge their benefices for money borrowed from Jews." The Sixteenth through Eighteenth Centuries Around 500 years later, a few Jewish students and professors attended and taught at Edinburgh University. One Jew, David Brown, was permitted to live and trade in the city. The first Jewish graduate from Glasgow University in 1787, Levi Myers, graduated without having to take a religious oath. Not having to swear this oath attracted many Jewish students to Scotland, since all English universities required such an oath to be said at graduation. Glasgow only had some 20,000 inhabitants in 1740, but increased in population to about 84,000 within sixty years. With this population growth Glasgow also developed international commercial relations, in which Jews played an important part. As Glasgow grew, so did the number of Jews, with the first reference to an actual Jewish settler in Glasgow in 1812. Eleven years later there were enough Jews in Glasgow to open a synagogue in a first floor apartment. The Jewish community, however, continued growing and in the late nineteenth the Garnet Hill Synagogue was built.
In 1918, Dr Salis Daiches became minister of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation. During the course of his ministry, which lasted 27 years until his death, he had a profound effect on the Jewish community. He united the community into a single cohesive unit and at the same time acted as spokesman for the Jews in Scotland during the troubled inter-war years. The Synagogue in Salisbury Road, built in 1932 to accommodate 2000 people, is a tribute to his leadership and vision. On Dr Daiches' death in 1945, the community appointed Rabbi Dr Isaac Cohen, who subsequently became Chief Rabbi of Eire. Overall, Jews have experienced great tolerance, acceptance, friendliness, and generosity from fellow non-Jewish Scots. Today, there are two synagogues in Edinburgh, Reform and Orthodox, and the Edinburgh University has a Jewish society. In Glasgow there are six synagogues, including Reform, Orthodox, liberal, and Lubavitch synagogues. There are also two mikvahs in Scotland, one in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh. According to the 2001 census, approximately 6,400 Jews live in Scotland, making up .13% of the overall Scottish population. 1. Chabad Minyan Known as Shul in the Park holds services on Shabbat mornings, Friday evenings, Monday morning and evening and Wednesday mornings. For times of services please send an email. It meets at the Burnfield Care Home, Burnfield Rd Giffnock. Five minutes walk from the Giffnock police station. Rabbi: Rabbi Mendel Jacobs. Tel: +44 (0)141 638 6116 2. Giffnock Synagogue, 222 Fenwick Rd Giffnock where you will always find a minyan for all services. Rabbi Rubin Tel.+44 (0)141 577 8251 3. Netherlee and Clarkston
Syn, Clarkston Rd, corner Randolph Dve. 4. Newton Mearns Synagogue,
Larchfield Ave. Newton Mearns. 5. Langside Synagogue, Niddrie Rd. Glasgow G41 two minutes walk from the Ewington Hotel Tel. +44 (0)141 423 1152. 6. Garnet Hill Synagogue, Garnet Hill St, off Sauchiehall St in the Glasgow City Centre near Charing Cross area. This Shul only has a minyan on Shabbat morning starting at 10.00am. Rev Aaron Soudry Tel. +44 (0)141 639 7730. 7. Glasgow New Synagogue/Or Hadash The idea of creating a Reform Jewish community in Scotland was born in 1931. Always existing near to the heart of the Jewish community in Glasgow, the Glasgow New Synagogue/Or Hadash building has moved as the Jewish population moved. Recently renovated to accommodate the growing need for more classroom space, the modern, elegant building has attracted great admiration for its lovely space and clean lines. It now finds an excellent home in the extreme south of Glasgow, Newton Mearns. Or Hadash is the only Reform Jewish community in Scotland, drawing its members mainly from the Glasgow area but with members from the Edinburgh area and as far afield as Aberdeen and Kirkcudbright. Or Hadash is the second oldest synagogue in Glasgow. Sources: “An Introduction to the Edinburgh Jewish Community.” “Analysis of Ethnicity in the 2001 Census-Summary Report.” Fleishman, Kurt. “The Gorbals and the Jews of Glasgow.” Map: The Howood Inn |
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