Birmingham Central Synagogue

Birmingham Central Synagogue is an Orthodox synagogue situated in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

For similarly named synagogues, see Central Synagogue.

Birmingham Central Synagogue at 4 Speedwell Road in November 2017

History

The Ashkenazi Orthodox community was established in a private house in Belgrave Road in 1883 before moving to Wrottesley Street in 1900 and then to Bristol Street in 1928, taking over a former Methodist Hall. In 1961 a small group of individuals acquired the large plot of land upon which a synagogue, hall and classrooms were built at 133 Pershore Road (52.46182°N 1.90237°W / 52.46182; -1.90237). The ground breaking ceremony took place in July 1958. Construction of the 1960s building took place between 1959 and 1961.

As of October 2013 the old building is being demolished

Sale and redevelopment

The congregation voted to sell the Pershore Road shul in 2010.[1] For the next few years they had to wait to get planning permission from both Birmingham City Council and Calthorpe Estates.

Redevelopment of the Malcolm Locker Hall into the new synagogue began in January 2013.[2] Work was completed in July 2013, with the handover taking place in August 2013.[3]

Of the 42 etched glass windows in the old building, only 6 could be saved (and were installed in the new shul). The other 36 were to be sold (some broke when they were removed).[4]

From August 2013 the old building was in the hands of the developers, who had to first remove asbestos. The old shul building was completely demolished during October 2013. The developers Seddon will build a 70-bed care home for Gracewell Healthcare on the former synagogue site.[5]

Demolition of the old synagogue in October 2013

Current synagogue

The new synagogue at 4 Speedwell Road (52.461967°N 1.902638°W / 52.461967; -1.902638) is adjacent to the site of the former Pershore Road building (now demolished and replaced by Gracewell of Edgbaston). Services began in August 2013. By September, the new ark was installed in time for the High Holy Days. The new Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis consecrated the new building by unveiling a plaque on Sunday 13 October 2013.

Rabbi Chanan Atlas was appointed minister of the shul in early 2012 taking over from Rabbi Shlomo Odze.[6] Rabbi Atlas and his family left Birmingham, to take up a new position in Manchester. He was replaced by Rabbi Dr Lior Kaminetsky in May 2015,[7] who along with his family stayed for four years until May 2019.

References
  1. Birmingham backs synagogue downsizing
  2. Brum shul is set for sale and rebuilding
  3. Moving times in Brum are marked by service
  4. "Windows that need to be kept in frame". Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  5. "Seddon set to build £4.2m luxury care home in Birmingham". Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  6. Rabbi Atlas thinks the world of Birmingham
  7. "Minister is ready for Brum role". PressReader.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.

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