Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre

The Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre (ASJCC) maintains a shul (synagogue) on Dee Street in the centre of Aberdeen (UK). This is the northernmost synagogue in the British Isles.

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History

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 definitely 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

According to the census, 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.

Services

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.

References

^ "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.
^ "Burial Grounds". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.