Portsmouth and Southsea Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The Portsmouth and Southsea Synagogue, also known as the Portsmouth (and Southsea) Hebrew Congregation, is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue
located in Elm Grove, Southsea
in Portsmouth
, England
. It is one of the oldest Jewish congregations
in England. It was founded circa 1747 and had a rabbinate of its own. During the Napoleonic wars
, the commercial activity of Portsmouth as a garrison and naval town attracted a large number of Jews. In 1780, a synagogue was built in White’s Row. In 1850 the synagogue was redecorated and in 1876 renovated.
Synagogue is located at Thicket House, Southsea. It was established in 1936 when a house was converted. Many of the fittings from the original 1780 Synagogue including the Ark
are present in the current synagogue. The original Synagogue building, which until its closure in 1936 was the oldest provincial Synagogue still in use, was destroyed during the Second World War in an air raid.
In December 1942 a day of mourning, fasting was held in the Synagogue for Jewish victims of Nazi massacres. In 1967 in the light of the good relationship which existed between Portsmouth and the Israeli Navy based in Haifa, Israel the Synagogue donated a Kiddush cup to the crew of the Submarine INS Dakar
for its maiden voyage which ended in tragedy when the Submarine sank.
The Synagogue still holds regular services according to the Ashkenazi Orthodox Nusach
.
Past rabbis have included Rabbi David H. Lincoln who was rabbi in 1965 and Reverend Isaac Philips who was rabbi in 1866 and served the congregation for fifty six years.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
located in Elm Grove, Southsea
Southsea
Southsea is a seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England. Southsea is within a mile of Portsmouth's city centre....
in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is one of the oldest Jewish congregations
Oldest synagogues in the world
The designation oldest synagogue in the world requires careful definition. Many very old synagogues have been discovered in archaeological digs. Some synagogues have been destroyed and rebuilt several times on the same site, so, while the site or congregation may be ancient, the building may be...
in England. It was founded circa 1747 and had a rabbinate of its own. During the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, the commercial activity of Portsmouth as a garrison and naval town attracted a large number of Jews. In 1780, a synagogue was built in White’s Row. In 1850 the synagogue was redecorated and in 1876 renovated.
History
The current Ashkenazi OrthodoxOrthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Synagogue is located at Thicket House, Southsea. It was established in 1936 when a house was converted. Many of the fittings from the original 1780 Synagogue including the Ark
Ark (synagogue)
The Torah ark or ark in a synagogue is known in Hebrew as the Aron Kodesh by the Ashkenazim and as the Hekhál amongst most Sefardim. It is generally a receptacle, or ornamental closet, which contains each synagogue's Torah scrolls...
are present in the current synagogue. The original Synagogue building, which until its closure in 1936 was the oldest provincial Synagogue still in use, was destroyed during the Second World War in an air raid.
In December 1942 a day of mourning, fasting was held in the Synagogue for Jewish victims of Nazi massacres. In 1967 in the light of the good relationship which existed between Portsmouth and the Israeli Navy based in Haifa, Israel the Synagogue donated a Kiddush cup to the crew of the Submarine INS Dakar
INS Dakar
INS Dakar was the former modified British T-class submarine of the Royal Navy. In 1965, she was purchased by Israel as part of a group of three T-class submarines. She was commissioned into the Israeli Sea Corps in November 1967 and underwent sea and diving trials in Scotland. Dakar departed for...
for its maiden voyage which ended in tragedy when the Submarine sank.
The Synagogue still holds regular services according to the Ashkenazi Orthodox Nusach
Nusach
Nusach is a concept in Judaism that has two distinct meanings. One is the style of a prayer service ; another is the melody of the service depending on when the service is being conducted.-Meaning of term:Nusach primarily means "text" or "version", in...
.
Rabbis
Rabbi David Katanka is currently the part time leader of the Congregation.Past rabbis have included Rabbi David H. Lincoln who was rabbi in 1965 and Reverend Isaac Philips who was rabbi in 1866 and served the congregation for fifty six years.