Photo by Ben Ravilious, by permission.
Showing posts with label Orthodox Synagogue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orthodox Synagogue. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 September 2012
HERITAGE OPEN DAY AT LEICESTER SYNAGOGUE
Photo by Ben Ravilious, by permission.
Monday, 21 November 2011
INTER FAITH WEEK 2011, DAY 2: HIGHCROSS EXHIBITION
Second day of our week-long exhibition in Highcross to celebrate Inter Faith Week, showcasing the eight communities represented on Leicester Council of Faiths.
The dynamic of the exhibition is beginning to become clear. The new location and layout mean that we're shifting more of free literature than in previous years. While it might seem that, on the other hand, fewer people are stopping to talk this time round, I don't think that's so. In terms of people approaching the stall, the arrangement of the banners is definitely more appealing and effective than before (and we're able to rotate them every so often, to keep it fresh). Putting the free literature on the trestle tables at the sides of the display space allows people to approach and take what they want in relative safety from the volunteers inside the display. You never know how it's going to work out until you see it in action. The dark semi-circle on the floor that marks the outer edge of the display space marks a safe boundary for the public. If you're brave enough to cross that line, then you're fair game!
There's some discussion with members of the public today about the content of the University of Leicester Faiths Trail, the banner and booklet for which are included in our exhibition here. A woman queries (strongly and at length) why the Cathedral was passed over in favour of St Mary de Castro, while a man objects to the omission of Neve Shalom, the Leicester Progressive Synagogue on Avenue Road. The simple answer to the former is that St Mary de Castro is older and has a more interesting history as a building, especially its relation with the Castle (and, after all, the team who compiled the information and created the trail are second year undergraduate students in the University's School of Archaeology and Ancient History). The answer to the latter is that Neve Shalom wouldn't fit into the schedule of a walking tour - although it may well have to in future, given that the Orthdox Synagogue on Highfield Street is up for sale.
I have gentler chats with Marlene from the Salvation Army and David from the local Eckankar group (whom I first met at the launch event for Leicester Speaks last month in Humberstone Gate).
Here are some comments entered in the reflective log by volunteers on the exhibition today:
“I found it particularly difficult to convince the cynics that true interfaith co-operation can be achieved regardless of the political situation. Also a lot of people had issues with the Faith Trail especially the synagogue which is for sale and Orthodox Jewish community in reduction and also the fact that the Mandir has moved. Otherwise a pleasant experience as I enjoy being a social butterfly!”
“Even though it was early and Monday morning, several people came and took leaflets and brochures; some of them were very keen to get involved and discuss their personal experiences regarding both individual faiths and the wider religious community, Some very useful comments and suggestions were received from the members of the Jewish and Christian communities.”
“Several people paused and glanced at the display. A couple or three stopped and chatted. There seemed to be a general acceptance of the display.”
“Many people have passed by. Some have taken an interest. Leaflets have been taken. Wanting to know about neighbour’s religion. Interesting talking amongst ourselves on the subject of spirituality.”
“I have rather enjoyed talking with the other volunteers. I get a sense of other space within the little enclave that is made from the tables with flyers and the tall boards showing each faith. A smallish sense of discontent from the retail world around us. And that sense disappears as I go and get coffee. I like that just by my presence I help to show others that there are joyful relations between the faiths.”
“Some very interesting discussions with three separate individuals, related to faith communities generally and in once case personal experience of the journey to having a full time spiritual life. The siting of the display seemed much better this year in terms of the ease it provides for engaging with passers-by – a sense of it being less intrusive and offering a range of different encounters.”
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
MAPPING FAITH & PLACE: 1st SEMINAR
Faithful reader, won't you welcome please, guest blogger Rosemarie Fitton:
I attended the first seminar of a project, Mapping Faith and Place, run by Leicester University, "investigating the significance of South Asian religious and cultural heritage in Leicester's urban landscape." This took place at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery. There are two further seminars to run next year followed by a public conference. I was wearing a number of hats, firstly as the creative director of Heterarchy, my interior design practice, based here in Leicester, secondly as an academic from DeMontfort university and thirdly, after George had asked me to write a blog about the seminar, as a member of the Leicester Council of Faiths.
The seminar was organised by Dr Deirdre O'Sullivan and Dr Ruth Young, both from the School of Archaeology & Ancient History at Leicester University.
There were a series of talks which were preceded by an introduction to the project by Dr Chris King, who had originally conceived and obtained funding for the research; Dr King, formerly of Leicester University, is now based at Nottingham University.
Dr King outlined the purpose of the project which is for academics and non-academics to work together to share knowledge and insights in order to gain an understanding of Leicester's cultural and religious landscape. In this series of seminars we will be looking at ways to take the project forward and how to best connect with people from the different communities.
Dr Deirdre O'Sullivan and Dr Ruth Young talked about the work that had already taken place, which has resulted in The Faith Trail, most of the work for which was carried out by students at Leicester university. There is a website and booklet which accompanies this part of the project.
We then had a talk by Linda Monkton of English Heritage, who is head of research policy for places of worship. She spoke about the National Heritage list for England which includes an on-line database of all nationally designated heritage assets and the National Heritage Protection Plan, which is a framework for the key priorities for research over protection issues. She was very interested in finding out ways that English Heritage could foster good relationships with local contacts in the different faith communities.
I then gave a talk on the work my company had carried out on the interiors for the new Swaminarayan Hindu temple on Gypsy Lane, which opened on the 8th-9th October. Describing how we had become involved in the project and how we set about the design process, to create interiors which reflected the rich cultural heritage of the Swaminarayan faith yet in a more contemporary style.
Rupert Allen, Assistant Church Buildings Development Officer for the Diocese of Coventry and Leicester spoke about the re-use of historically significant buildings and ways in which these could be sympathetically re-ordered to accommodate the new occupants.
In the afternoon we had lively discussions which initially looked at the issue of the Leicester orthodox synagogue which has recently been put up for sale, and the significance of religious buildings and their heritage as "sustainable sacred space".
This was followed by looking at ways to move the project forward and what the major issues were for the different faith communities in terms of buildings and the built environment and other groups who had an interest such as English heritage and academics.
Thanks Rosemarie, your contribution is much appreciated. I look forward to you having future stints as guest blogger.
Friday, 7 October 2011
RABBI'S SADNESS AS SYNAGOGUE IS PUT UP FOR SALE
From today's Leicester Mercury:
Rabbi's sadness as synagogue is put up for sale
A Jewish community has reluctantly put its city centre synagogue up for sale.
The Highfields Street home of Leicester's orthodox Hebrew community was put on the market after the dwindling numbers of worshippers meant less money for the building's upkeep.
Rabbi Shmuli Pink, who leads a small congregation in prayer four times a week, said the sale was needed to ensure the future of Leicester's Jewish residents.
He said: "It's sad to part with the synagogue, but it's the people which make the community, not the building.
"We've had to re-evaluate and plan for the future.
"The reason for the sale is the changing demographic and the building is just too big for us at the minute.
"Young Jewish men and women are gravitating towards places like London and Manchester, and away from Leicester, and there aren't enough new members coming in to fill the deficit."
There are about 600 orthodox Jews in Leicestershire. At its height, the community numbered in the thousands after many refugees came to the city after the Second World War. However, the community soon went into decline and now just a handful regularly attend the synagogue.
They are now looking for a place of worship in Oadby.
Rabbi Pink said: "To be honest a move has been on the cards for about 40 years.
"But it's only now that it's got to the stage where we're actually looking at selling.
"We're looking for another community who can use the building for worship. It's beautifully refurbished and a tremendous opportunity."
Rabbi Pink, who has been in charge at the synagogue for 10 years, hopes the building's future owners will also buy the nearby community centre, which stands just a few yards away, in Tichbourne Street.
So far six people, including representatives from the Muslim and Sikh communities, have been to visit the listed building and large community venue. The property's agent, Innes England, describes the building as being "suitable for alternative faiths and uses".
Rabbi Pink said he welcomed interest from members of all faith communities.
The two storey synagogue, on the market for £275,000, was built in 1898. The community centre was built in 1950.
It is the only orthodox Jewish synagogue in Leicestershire.
A separate congregation of progressive Judaism has a place of worship in Avenue Road, in Stoneygate.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
NEVE SHALOM: OASIS OF PEACE
I've visited the Orthodox Synagogue in Highfields Street three or four times now, so this seems like a good day on which to start redressing the balance.
Neve Shalom means "Oasis of Peace" (Isaiah 32:18). It is named as a tribute to the village near Jerusalem known as Neve Shalom / Wahat al Salam, where Jews, Christians and Muslims live together, creating a living example of harmony in diversity, showing that these three great faiths can live and work together for the greater good. The life of that village is a constant source of inspiration and a beacon of hope for peace for Jews, not just in Leicester but all over the world.
I'd picked up some of the story of the origin of Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation when I was part of the team working on the Jewish Voices oral history project, covering the life of Jews in the city in the 1940s and 50s. Most of the information given below has been taken from literature that I picked up in the Synagogue today. I prefer to have people and groups featured in this blog speak for themselves, in their own words as much as possible.
In the late 1940s a small group of Jews in Leicester were seeking an alternative to Orthodox Judaism. In 1950 they formed the Liberal Jewish Group, affiliated to the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues, later renamed Liberal Judaism. They held services in members' homes and hired halls for festival services and religion school.
By the 1960s the name was changed to the Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation. they held biweekly services at the Friends Meeting House until the present building was bought in January 1995 and refurbished to become a synagogue. the building itself had previously been used as a nursery school and was designed by Leicester-born Ernest Gimson, described by one authority as, "the greatest of the English architect-designers".[
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation is an affiliate of Liberal Judaism. They cherish and honour Jewish heritage, but interpret Jewish tradition in the light of modernity, while preserving all that is good in those traditions. They promote pluralism and engage in dialogue with other streams of Judaism, other religions, cultures and philosophies. it practises full gender equality in all aspects of congregational life. Services are conducted by visiting rabbis from the Liberal and Reform movements, as well as by their own members. The prayer books they use, published by liberal Judaism contain gender-inclusive language, in both Hebrew and English.
LPJC is represented on Leicester Council of Faiths and is active in the field of inter faith understanding. They support and work for Tikun Olam (Repairing the World) in its widest sense. They support and help Asylum Seekers and a number of other good causes, Jewish and non-Jewish. Neve Shalom is registered as a Fairtrade Synagogue.
Eleven o'clock is the starting time for the service; Leon has advised me to get there a quarter of an hour before that. When I arrive, the first person I meet whom I know is Denise Bergman. I've worked alongside Denise a few times at events in Leicester College (where she teaches), at SACRE and on our first exhibition at Highcross during National Inter Faith Week 2009. She finds a spare kippah for me to wear and we go to the back of the gathering, where I sit with her and her husband Andrew.
Today's Order of Service contains a page about Bar/Bat Mitzvah by D. Mottram-Epson, entitled, "Just in case you aren't sure what it is all about":
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a male or female aged thirteen or over who gains adult responsibilities within their synagogue and Jewish community. A Bat Mitzvah means daughter of the commandments, and refers to a Jewish girl who has reached the age of thirteen. Strictly speaking you become Bar or Bat Mitzvah, rather than have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The rite of passage ceremony will vary according to the branch of Judaism and the customs of the synagogue. But in all cases the ceremony marks the Jewish child going from childhood to adulthood.
In a Liberal synagogue the ceremony is the same for both genders. It has evolved so that the Bat/Bar Mitzvah can demonstrate that they are able to fulfil the necessary requirements of a Jewish adult in the service. For a Liberal or Reform Jew the person should be familiar with Jewish history, Jewish practices and festivals and have a decent standard of reading Hebrew. This ceremony is Incorporated into the Shabbat Morning service on or after the child turns thirteen. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah leads certain prayers. Then they have an aliyah (call up), where the rabbi calls them up to the bimah using their Hebrew name, to read from the Torah scroll. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah says the blessing before and after reading from the scroll, and will generally read between 10-25 verses of the week's portion. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah may also choose readings and/or poems from Jewish literature to personalise the service. It is a Jewish parent's religious obligation to teach his or her child or children about Judaism including helping them to prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah though importantly it should not signal the end of their religious education.
Family is a very important part of Judaism and, like other religions, they gather for important festivals and events and this occasion provides a perfect opportunity to get family together. In addition, some family members are often asked to participate in the service. For example, opening the doors of the Ark, undressing the Torah scroll or holding the Torah. This is considered an honour. After the service the Bar/Bat Mitzvah holds a party and celebrates.I must say, I am very impressed with the young girl who takes centre stage as Bat Mitzvah today. As part of the service she reads an exegetical essay on the story of Balaam and his talking donkey from the Torah. It's a remarkable thing to listen to, researched, written and read by someone who has just turned thirteen. Rabbi Julia Neuberger (who is officiating today largely because she is a long-term friend of the family) takes this text as the basis of her short sermon later on, in which she extols the virtues of being able to change one's mind.
While I would confess to being lost in the many passages of Hebrew singing, I don't need to know the language in order to clap along.
Over a hundred people attend the service today, not all of them from the Leicester congregation. This (apparently) is evident in the variation in tunes and rhythm followed in the singing; not that I'd have noticed, but the rabbi does, remarking on it with good humour more than once). A great many of those present are children and young people. Live music at the beginning and end of the service is provided by the Bat Mitzvah herself (doubling up on trumpet and clarinet) and her family. The gathering ends with the serving of what has become the Jewish signature dish on such occasions: bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon and dill pickle.
I am really taken (moved, even) with my first visit to Neve Shalom - Leicester's own Oasis of Peace. I'll certainly ensure that it isn't my last!
Thursday, 2 June 2011
BUILDING TOLERANCE
A follow-up article in today's Leicester Mercury, after it reported the attack on the home of the Rabbi of Leicester Hebrew Congregation on its front page last Saturday (28 May)
Building Tolerance
What happened to Rabbi Pink and his family was cowardly and creates fear. That is what we are working against
By Adam Wakelin
It was a throwback, the kind of headline you don't expect to see any more. Certainly not in Leicester. Yet there it was, on Saturday's front page: "Rabbi's home attacked by racist thugs".
We need to keep things in perspective, of course. Religious and cultural tolerance isn't coming off the rails just because a few brain-dead bigots took it upon themselves to break Rabbi Shmuli Pink's windows.
Even so, it doesn't sit easily with how we like to see ourselves.
Part of who we are, of what we've become, is that people in this city all rub along relatively happily.
Leicester has never knocked anyone flat with the force of its personality, but it has forged an identity from its respect of different cultures.
Leicester has never knocked anyone flat with the force of its personality, but it has forged an identity from its respect of different cultures.
Once upon a time we made socks and shoes. Now we do diversity. Rather well, usually.
And the Jews, Leicester's oldest and perhaps least visible minority, have done more than most to build those bridges – and much else.
There are many notables from a community that has never numbered more than 700 to 800.
Children of all creeds and colours chase the pigeons around the fountain in Town Hall Square.
The fountain was bought for us by a Jew: Wealthy businessman, philanthropist and four-times mayor Israel Hart.
He also paid for the building of Leicester's first branch library and laid out Spinney Hill Park.
Goldsmiths Library, another landmark, was paid for by the industrialist Mac Goldsmith.
The illustrious Dr Dub, a deputy director of public health in Leicester, could have earned handsome sums from a private practice. Instead, he chose to pioneer the treatment of the city's children.
Dr Frank May, a Leicester businessman, was given the Freedom of the City for his charitable endeavours. Three city mayors have been Jewish.
"A lot has been achieved by a small community," says Aubrey Newman, an emeritus professor of history at the University of Leicester.
"It has always punched above its weight."
If confirmation is needed of how big a part the Jewish community has played in Leicester's public life you only need look at the names of donors who helped pay for the building, in 1897, of the synagogue in Highfields.
Jews and Gentiles sit side by side on that board in the synagogue's vestry – a statement of unity and an acknowledgement of the contribution made to the city's economic and civic prosperity by Jews.
It was a community that had come a long way in a short space of time.
Simon De Montfort may have infamously banished the Jews from Leicester in 1231, but a formal Jewish community didn't really establish itself in the city until the 1870s.
A lot has been made of De Montfort's edict and the indelible stain his actions left on a city that has founded its future on tolerance.
His greatest crime was being a man of his time, believes Prof Newman.
There have never been anti-Semitic riots in Leicester, says Prof Newman. Even De Montfort's medieval purge wasn't entirely successful.
He didn't have dominion over all of the city and there is evidence Jews did remain.
That's not to say life was without its bumps and bruises.
The book Jewish Voices: Memories of Leicester in the 1940s and 50s has first-hand accounts of how hard it could be.
"One of my earliest memories is being told by the twins who lived across the road that they weren't allowed to play with me. Why? Because I was a Jew," said Rifka Mayers.
"I learnt at an early age to deny who I was – it made being at school safe."
Bernard Besbrode told a similar story. "At school you lived with anti-Semitism," he said. "I know all the names. I've been called all the names."
Mathilda Applebaum was at Wyggeston Girls' School in the early 1950s. The rather fine hedge now in Regent Road is testament to those less enlightened times.
"We had to stay out of assembly and scripture lessons so we did gardening," she said.
Others had different experiences.
"I never experienced anti-Semitism," said Katherine May. "We had lots of non-Jewish friends who, when they entertained us, made sure they provided all the food we could eat."
The late 1970s and early 80s were another troubling time as Swastikas started appearing on walls and the National Front went on the march against Asians, blacks and Jews.
The idiots didn't get their way. That doesn't mean prejudice ever completely went away.
Leicester is a world in one city now, and it has a world's worth of problems to absorb. Not always successfully.
When tensions explode in Palestine and Israel, it has ramifications much closer to home.
"I have some wonderful friends in the Muslim community. We are working hard on community cohesion and mutual respect," says Tony Nelson, the Jewish vice-chairman of Leicester's Council of Faiths.
"Down at grassroots level it is perhaps a different story. There is an awful lot of vitriolic stuff on the internet – and young people are impressionable.
"No-one can condone what happened to Rabbi Pink and his family. It was cowardly and it creates fear. That is what we are working against."
A lot is being done to defuse tensions and tackle prejudice.
Three colleges in Leicester have a Jewish chaplain. The synagogue holds open days for schoolchildren.
A Family of Abraham dialogue group has been established to bring members of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities together.
The St Phillip's Centre, established to build bonds between faiths, takes roadshows into schools and colleges.
Laurels aren't being rested on. But that doesn't make the fear go away.
A couple of Jewish people who spoke to the Mercury for this story didn't want their names going in the newspaper.
Why? They feared repercussions. Putting your head above the parapet is something some in this community are still instinctively fearful of.
Last year's Mitzvah Day, which saw progressive and orthodox Jews standing outside supermarkets to collect cash to help victims of domestic violence, was momentous in its own modest way.
It was the first time the community had rattled a tin under the noses of the Leicester public and said, hey, we're Jewish, we're doing something good here, help us out.
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
What happened to Rabbi Shmuli is a setback.
"It's very depressing and quite concerning that a major religious leader has been attacked," says Riaz Ravat, an interfaith worker at the St Phillip's Centre. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to him.
"The Jewish community is doing a sterling amount of work to tackle prejudice and misunderstanding.
"These incidents illustrate that we are on a journey and we have to keep plugging away."
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
DISCOVER LEICESTER
"Discover Leicester" is coming up this weekend: our city's annual contribution to a national Open Days event supported by English Heritage. I've taken from the programme only those sites in the city related to religion. There are more than just these destinations on offer during the four day period. Leicester Council of Faiths organises a "Faiths Trail" as part of this event. I'll be blogging about that separately on Sunday.
St Margaret's Church
St Margaret's is a large medieval church rich in history. A warm welcome is extended to everyone. Beautiful stained glass windows - the east window by Thomas Willard.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1330
The Synagogue is a listed building and well over 2100 years old. There will be informal tours of the building as well as explanations about its use and the Jewish Faith.
Sun 12 Sep 1000-1600 (Photo of the synagogue, above, from the Leicestershire Beehive, which hosts a number of websites for local not-for-profit groups and organisations)
All Saints'
Norman/Medieval Church. Rare 1610 working clock with striking quarter Jack figures. There will be an exhibition of Victorian funeral memorabilia and displays by Leicestershire Calligraphers and the War Memorials Trust.
Thu 9 Sep 1100-1800; Fri 10 Sep 1100-1800; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1800; Sun 12 Sep 1430-1730
Places of Worship, Welcome & Wonder!
Friends' Meeting House, Queens Road,
A chance to explore Stoneygate and
Sat 11 Sep 1000-
St Mary de Castro
Norman/Medieval church originally connected to
Thu 9 Sep 1200-1400; Fri 10 Sep 1200-1400; Sat 11 Sep 1200-1700
St Nicholas' Church
Sat 11 Sep 1400-1600
Fri 10 Sep 1000-1600; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600; Sun 1000-1600
Leicester Abbey Revealed
Thu 9 Sep 0900-1400
Rutland Street
Built in local sandstone in 1827, and largely rebuilt in 1912-13;
10a Bishop Street, Town Hall Square, LE1 6AF
Georgian Grade II listed historic Methodist Chapel with an impressive interior. guided tours of the building, opportunity for family historians to consult our historic registers, displays on our church history and information about church heritage project.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600
Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1700; Sun 12 Sep 1030-1230
Sunday, 27 December 2009
2009's TOP 10: 5
Faiths Trail,
Sunday 13 September 2009
This has become a regular fixture in the Council of Faiths calendar over the past few years, organised in conjunction with English Heritage as part of their programme of open days during this week. I got to go on the first one of these tours (it was called a "Peace Pilgrimage" then) after I took up my post in 2007, but missed last year's excursion, so I was pleased to be able to take part this time.
Our party of 25, from a variety of backgrounds and interests (and some from outside Leicester or Leicestershire) convened at Pilgrim House at 0930. We had a few words of welcome and introduction from Minou Cortazzi (Chair of the Council of Faiths), Cllr Manjula Sood (Deputy Lord Mayor and trustee of the Council of Faiths) and Resham Singh Sandhu (Chairman of the Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society and former Chair of the Council of Faiths). Our coach left Town Hall Square shortly before 10 o'clock. First stop was the Jain Centre, Oxford Street (pictured above), where we were joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Lady Mayoress. From there we proceeded to Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, Narborough Road; then to Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, Clarendon Park Road, where we were treated to lunch (and where the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress had to take their leave of us). After lunch we went to the Orthodox Synagogue, Highfields Street; then to the Central Mosque, Conduit Street; and finally, St Philip's Parish Church, Evington Road. As we approached each place of worship, we handed out copies of the relevant leaflet to everyone on the coach, so they'd have a chance to read something about each faith community before each stop on the tour.
Everyone was impressed by the hospitable reception at the various places of worship. Arrangements for the day were made by Ajay Aggarwal, Co-Ordinator at Leicester Council of Faiths.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)