Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre

(Redirected from Aberdeen Synagogue)

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
AffiliationJudaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipLay-led
StatusActive
Location
Location74 Dee Street, Aberdeen, Scotland AB11 6DS
CountryUnited Kingdom
Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre is located in Scotland
Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre
Location of the synagogue in Scotland
Geographic coordinates57°08′32″N 2°06′12″W / 57.1423°N 2.1032°W / 57.1423; -2.1032
Architecture
TypeHouse
Date established1893 (as a congregation)
Completed1945
Website
asjcc.co.uk

History

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Several 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 Marischal Street. In 1945 the congregation bought a house on Dee Street, and converted it into a synagogue and community centre. In 2016 Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation was reorganised and renamed as Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre.

Community

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According 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.[3]

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

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References

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  1. ^ "Aberdeen Jewish Community". Scottish Jewish Archives Centre. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ^ Abrams, Nathan (2009). Caledonian Jews: A Study of Seven Small Communities in Scotland. McFarland.
  3. ^ "Burial Grounds". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
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