The Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre (ASJCC) is a Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 74 Dee Street, Aberdeen, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. The building is the northernmost synagogue in the British Isles.
| Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Synagogue | |
| Leadership | Lay-led |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
  Location of the synagogue in Scotland | |
| Coordinates | 57°08′32″N 2°06′12″W / 57.1423°N 2.1032°W |
| Architecture | |
| Type | House |
| Established |
|
| Website | |
| asjcc | |
History
editSeveral Jews were awarded medical degrees from Aberdeen in the 18th century,[1] but they did not live in Aberdeen (the degrees were awarded in absentia). Jews were living in Aberdeen by the late 19th century.[2] The Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1893, and initially worshipped in a flat on 34 Marischal Street.[3][4]
In July 1944, Aberdeen Town Council denied a planning application from the congregation to convert a residence on Dee Street into a synagogue and community centre.[5] The decision was overturned following an appeal in September 1944[6] and the synagogue opened on 6 June 1945, with the consecration service held by the rabbi Kopul Rosen.[7][8][9]
In 2016 Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation was reorganised and renamed as Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre.
On 28 August 2017, the congregation's washing machine malfunctioned, flooding the building and tearing a hole in the synagogue's ceiling.[10] Following repairs, it reopened in May 2018.[11]
Community
editAccording to the census,[when?] there are about 250 Jews in the Aberdeen area (city and shire). The community is mostly incomers who come to Aberdeen to work or study. The ASJCC tries to support all Jews in the Aberdeen area, regardless of which type of Judaism they follow.
There is a burial area for Jews in Grove Cemetery.[12]
There is also a Jewish Students Society in Aberdeen, which works closely with the ASJCC.
The community has not had a permanent full-time rabbi since the 1950s. Most services are led by lay members of the community, but rabbis do visit to lead services on major holidays and events. ASJCC's website has up-to-date details about services and events.
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ "Aberdeen Jewish Community". Scottish Jewish Archives Centre. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ↑ Abrams, Nathan (2009). Caledonian Jews: A Study of Seven Small Communities in Scotland. McFarland.
- ↑ "Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 13 September 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "Aberdeen". The Jewish Chronicle. London. 9 October 1896. p. 25. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "No Synagogue in Dwelling-house". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 26 July 1944. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "Hebrew appeal upheld". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 15 September 1944. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "Impressive Service at New Aberdeen Synagogue". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. 7 June 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "Aberdeen's New Synagogue". Jewish Echo. Glasgow. 15 June 1945. p. 8 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ "New Aberdeen Synagogue Of Peace Consecrated". Daily Record. Glasgow. 7 June 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 1 May 2026 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ↑ Beattie, Kieran (14 September 2017). "Fundraiser launched after flood rips hole through roof of Aberdeen Synagogue". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ Beattie, Kieran (28 May 2018). "Aberdeen synagogue celebrates reopening after months of closure". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Burial Grounds". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.