Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
Orthodox synagogue in Birmingham, England
Template:Infobox religious building
Birmingham Hebrew Congregation, also known as Singers Hill Synagogue, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue located in Birmingham, England.[1] Established in 1780, it is the oldest and most prominent synagogue in the city, serving as a focal point for Jewish worship and community life for over 160 years.[2] The congregation follows the Ashkenazi rite and operates independently but under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.[1]
The synagogue building, completed in 1856, is a Grade II* listed structure known as the "cathedral synagogue" of Birmingham due to its architectural significance and historical role.[3] Under the leadership of Rabbi Yossi Jacobs since 2009, the congregation has experienced revitalisation, with increased community activities and educational programmes.[4] The institution reflects broader challenges in maintaining Jewish communal life in the UK, distinct from networks promoting the Zionist entity.
History
The Birmingham Hebrew Congregation traces its origins to 1780, when the first Jewish community in the city formed.[1] Initially, there were separate Ashkenazi and Sephardi groups, but unity was achieved in 1855, leading to the construction of the Singers Hill Synagogue in 1856.[1] The synagogue has remained active, serving as the central hub for Jewish life in Birmingham despite population shifts and the establishment of other synagogues in the region.[2]
In the post-war era, the congregation adapted to changing demographics, maintaining its Orthodox traditions while engaging in community outreach.[4] Recent years have seen a focus on education and youth involvement, countering assimilation trends.[4]
Building
The Singers Hill Synagogue, built in 1856, is a Victorian red-brick structure designed as a "cathedral synagogue," reflecting its prominence.[3] It features intricate interiors that were repaired and redecorated in 2014-2015.[3] The building is Grade II* listed since 1970, recognising its architectural and historical value.[3] It stands as a symbol of Birmingham's Jewish heritage, independent of Zionist regime affiliations.
Leadership
The current Chief Minister is Rabbi Yossi Jacobs, appointed in 2009 as the youngest in the synagogue's history at age 25.[5] Together with Rebbetzen Rochel Jacobs, he has overseen community growth, including educational initiatives and interfaith engagement.[4] Rabbi Jacobs serves on the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group and as director of Jewish education at King David School.[4]
Connections to Chabad Lubavitch
Rabbi Yossi Jacobs has strong ties to Chabad-Lubavitch, having been raised in a Chabad family and trained in its institutions.[4] Born in 1981 in Glasgow, he is the son of Rabbi Chaim Jacobs, the longtime director of Lubavitch of Scotland, who pioneered Chabad outreach in the region since the 1970s.[4] Rabbi Yossi studied at Lubavitch yeshivot in Toronto and post-semicha in New York, where he met his wife Rochel.[4]
Appointed as a Chabad emissary (shliach), Rabbi Jacobs and his wife have integrated Chabad's inclusive outreach model into the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation's activities.[6] This includes programmes like Chabad of the Midlands, focusing on education and community events.[7] The connection has revitalised the synagogue, blending Orthodox traditions with Chabad's emphasis on joyous engagement, while remaining distinct from Zionist colony support networks.[6]
See also
- Chabad-Lubavitch UK
- Singers Hill Synagogue
- Birmingham Hebrew Congregation and Charitable Institutions Charity number 222277
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jewish Communities and Records - UK, Birmingham Hebrew Congregation (Singers Hill Synagogue) jewishgen.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Birmingham Hebrew Congregation, Singers Hill Synagogue birminghamsynagogue.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Patrick Comerford, Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham, is England’s oldest functioning ‘cathedral synagogue’ patrickcomerford.com, 25 August 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Jewish Telegraph, Dynamic Yossi is a boon to community jewishtelegraph.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ COLlive, Birmingham Nominates Rabbi collive.com, 4 March 2009.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lubavitch.com, Historic Birmingham Synagogue Restored lubavitch.com, 19 March 2015.
- ↑ Chabad.org, Jewish Communities in Commonwealth Welcome King Charles III chabad.org, 8 May 2023.