News & Events

 Candles are kindled on most Jewish holidays of Biblical origin. See more about the Blessings on the Services page.

Apparently this was in the Jewish Chronicle in a different format. 

26-09-2011

Plymouth Herald

THE PLYMOUTH Synagogue has been named as one of the top ten synagogues in the UK.

Ten of the finest synagogues in Britain have been nominated for the European Routes of Jewish Heritage, Jewish Heritage UK has announced.

Plymouth Synagogue is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in Britain and oldest in the English-speaking world.

Built in 1762-3, a year before Exeter Synagogue (1763-4), both now 250 years old.

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Bournemouth visit 

We recently had a most successful visit from the Bournemouth League of Jewish Women organised by Mrs Judith Henry. One of those present was Mrs Hilda Marks who gave an interesting talk about the role the community played during the war. Everyone enjoyed a cream tea prepared and served by Pat Goodman our Vice-President assisted by Anna Kelly.

At present I am not able to include pictures because of a problem with adding photos from the administrative side of our web site but when it is fixed I hope to do so.   

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On May 22nd,  we hosted The Bull Run, an international car rally organised by Simon Winter OBE.  It was a wonderful Sunday further enhanced by Judi Spiers of Radio Devon fame, who waved off the fabulous cars on the first leg of their rally to the Santander Ferry en route to Spain.

About 15 cars arrived from America, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Guernsey and across the UK.  The cars, including the American cars, were well worth seeing. 

They left for the Brittany Ferry Port and were ceremoniously waved off (with a flag of Britain), by Judi Spiers of BBC Radio Devon.

Upon their arrival they had refreshments in the vestry having travelled for some time. They spent around two hours at Plymouth Synagogue seeing our lovely building, hearing about our history, and holding a service conducted by their own Chazan, Robert Brody, with drivers, their guests and our members and friends present.

They sailed from Santander Spain, and their circular rally covered all the synagogues in Toledo, Cordova, Marbella, Gibraltar, Gerez Formula 1 racing circuit, Seville, Portugal, Evora, Viseu, Valladolid, then back to Portsmouth via the Santander ferry, IN ELEVEN DAYS!!

 Details of their next trip are on their website www.formulawonevents.com so look for The Bull Run, all proceeds are for charity - The Israel Youth Award being the main beneficiary this year.

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There was an enjoyable Purim party on Sunday March 20th at 2.30pm in the vestry. The Megilla was read with much foot-stamping, boos and rattle shaking at the name of Haman. Games, fun  and food abounded. Visitors came from as far as Truro, Newton Abbot and Parr.

              

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 Holocaust Memorial Day was Thursday 27th January 2011 at Mount Edgcumbe Park 

        

    Pictures above:

    Remembering Holocaust Memorial Day  Memorial Plaque at Mount Edgcumbe Park

    There was an evening commemoration where untold stories were read, interspersed with poetry and readings by various people. Here is a copy of the evening and a photo of Phia-Neve Bushell reading a poem.

                                

        

       

      Yours truly, Anna Kelly (Honorary Secretary)  with Lord Mayor Councillor Aspinall and her Consort, daughter Kate in the drawing room of 3, Eliot Terrace.

      On January 20th friends and members of our Synagogue visited 3 Eliot Terrace, the former home of Nancy Lady Astor, first woman MP to sit in the House of Commons. 

      The visit was at the invitation of the Lord Mayor as a result of her visit to the Synagogue that was arranged by Jerry Sibley and which was hosted by Mrs Pat Goodman and Mr John Hirshman, Officers of the Synagogue Committee. 

      Before her death, Lady Astor gifted the house to the Plymouth City Council to use as the official residence of The Lord Mayors of Plymouth, Devon. It is a pleasant home, for that is how it is kept. The numerous photos of events in the lives of Viscount and Lady Astor, plus the narratives of Councillor Mary Aspinall, the present Lord Mayor, her consort, daughter Kate and Steve, the Mace Bearer, bring the era alive. Steve also embroidered this with anecdotes that included life in their other home in Cliveden*.

        Visited by virtually every British monarch since George I, in the early 20th century it became home to Waldorf and Nancy Astor. As the glittering hub of society, numerous parties and political gatherings were hosted here. 

      It was a rich panoply of a social and political life brimming full of the famous and some of the infamous and I recommend a visit if recent history interests you. 

      Ring Plymouth City Council's switch board and ask them to put you through to the correct office to find out if this is possible.

      * Cliveden in Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire is a country retreat on a grand scale, with magnificent gardens and breathtaking views that have been admired for centuries and later became infamously associated with the Profumo Affair.

      For Shabbat service times see HOME page or SERVICES

       

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      Our Chanuka Party was a success and we had a really tempting and tasty spread of food prepared and organised by Mrs Pat Goodman our Vice-President. All the children present lit a chanukia as shown in the photos.

                

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On Sunday September 5th 2010 we held an open afternoon for the European Jewish Cultural and National Heritage Event.

There was a talk by Dr Peter Lee, our interfaith co-ordinator.

Those who came agreed it was a spiritual and aesthetic experience in this beautiful Synagogue.

 

   

 

 Purim
On Saturday  27th February 2010 we had a Purim Service and Megillah reading followed by a fancy dress party.  A good time was had by all, especially the little fairy.

                            

 

 

 On Sunday January 3rd 2010 over 40 family, congregation and friends witnessed the Bat Mitzvah of my 12 year old grand-daughter Phia-Neve. 


          

       Bat Mitzvah Girl with yours truly   

Regular Erev Shabbat (Friday eve) services begin at 6pm. 

On Shabbat the services begin at 10am.  Kiddush is held after the service.

 For Disabled access 

 The Plymouth Hebrew Congregation are pleased to announce that there is disabled access to the Synagogue and the Vestry but you must (if possible) phone in advance, to let us know you are coming so that we can put the ramps in place.  The Numbers are Mrs Anna Kelly 01822614203  or Mr Jerry Sibley 07753267616