Belfast Hebrew Congregation
Encyclopedia
The Belfast Hebrew Congregation is the Jewish community in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. The community follows the Ashkenazi Orthodox
ritual. Membership has fluctuated from 78 in 1900, approximately 1500 during World War II ,about 375 after World War II
, and 200 in 1999.
s) were Reverend Joseph Chotzner
(serving from 1870 to 1880 and 1892 to 1897) and Rev. J. E. Myers. Having immigrated in 1851, M. A. Jaffe (father of Otto Jaffe
) was instrumental in founding the synagogue. Later, the position was filled by Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog
(1916–1919), who later become Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Israel, and Rabbi Jacob Shachter (translator of Zvi Hirsch Chajes
), 1926-1954.
Elizabeth Jane Caulfield
, the Countess of Charlemont, regularly attended the synagogue and apparently converted to Judaism there.
Otto Jaffe
, Lord Mayor of Belfast
, was life-president of the Belfast Hebrew Congregation, which worshipped at the Great Victoria Street synagogue.
The synagogue is unusual in that it is circular, not rectangular. There is no balcony for women, but a raised platform on either side. The roof is held up by concrete-covered beams that forms the shape of a Star of David
.
The synagogue has a plaque in memory of Jews killed during the Holocaust. Listed in the U.K. National Inventory of War Memorial
s, the English part of the inscription reads: "In memory of the martyred millions of European Jewry 1933-1945."
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The community follows the Ashkenazi Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
ritual. Membership has fluctuated from 78 in 1900, approximately 1500 during World War II ,about 375 after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and 200 in 1999.
History
Established in 1870, first two "ministers" (rabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s) were Reverend Joseph Chotzner
Joseph Chotzner
Reverend Joseph Chotzner was the first rabbi of the Jewish community in Belfast, Ireland. Rev. Chotzner served from 1870-1880 at the helm of the Belfast Synagogue....
(serving from 1870 to 1880 and 1892 to 1897) and Rev. J. E. Myers. Having immigrated in 1851, M. A. Jaffe (father of Otto Jaffe
Otto Jaffe
Sir Otto Jaffe, JP was a German-born British Jewish businessman and twice elected Lord Mayor of Belfast.-Family:...
) was instrumental in founding the synagogue. Later, the position was filled by Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog
Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog
Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog , also known as Isaac Herzog, was the first Chief Rabbi of Ireland, his term lasting from 1921 to 1936...
(1916–1919), who later become Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Israel, and Rabbi Jacob Shachter (translator of Zvi Hirsch Chajes
Zvi Hirsch Chajes
Zvi Hirsch Chajes was one of the foremost Galician talmudic scholars. He is best known for his work Mevo Hatalmud , which serves both as commentary and introduction...
), 1926-1954.
Elizabeth Jane Caulfield
Elizabeth Jane Caulfield
Elizabeth Jane Caulfeild . She was the only daughter of William Meredyth, first Lord Athlumney, and by marriage in December 1856 to James Caulfeild, 3rd Earl of Charlemont, she became the Countess of Charlemont...
, the Countess of Charlemont, regularly attended the synagogue and apparently converted to Judaism there.
Otto Jaffe
Otto Jaffe
Sir Otto Jaffe, JP was a German-born British Jewish businessman and twice elected Lord Mayor of Belfast.-Family:...
, Lord Mayor of Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...
, was life-president of the Belfast Hebrew Congregation, which worshipped at the Great Victoria Street synagogue.
Buildings
Currently located on Somerton Road, the congregation previously had the Synagogue building on Annesley Street (1904–1964) and Great Victoria Street (1871–1904). (The foundation stones were dated July 7, 1871 and February 26, 1904.)The synagogue is unusual in that it is circular, not rectangular. There is no balcony for women, but a raised platform on either side. The roof is held up by concrete-covered beams that forms the shape of a Star of David
Star of David
The Star of David, known in Hebrew as the Shield of David or Magen David is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism.Its shape is that of a hexagram, the compound of two equilateral triangles...
.
The synagogue has a plaque in memory of Jews killed during the Holocaust. Listed in the U.K. National Inventory of War Memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
s, the English part of the inscription reads: "In memory of the martyred millions of European Jewry 1933-1945."
External links
- Belfast Hebrew Congregation on Jewish Communities and Records - UK (hosted by jewishgen.org).