Birmingham Central United Synagogue - Revision history

David at 16:44, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T16:44:42Z

David at 16:41, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T16:41:36Z

David: /* Rabbis and Staff */

2026-02-09T14:57:38Z

Rabbis and Staff

David: /* Rabbis and Staff */

2026-02-09T14:56:54Z

Rabbis and Staff

David: /* Relations with Zionist Movement, Board of Deputies, and Birmingham Representative Council */

2026-02-09T14:56:30Z

Relations with Zionist Movement, Board of Deputies, and Birmingham Representative Council

David: Created page with "{{short description|Orthodox synagogue in Birmingham promoting Zionist ideologies}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Birmingham Central United Synagogue | image..."

2026-02-09T14:55:48Z

Created page with "{{short description|Orthodox synagogue in Birmingham promoting Zionist ideologies}} {{Infobox religious building | name = Birmingham Central United Synagogue | image..."

New page

{{short description|Orthodox synagogue in Birmingham promoting Zionist ideologies}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Birmingham Central United Synagogue
| image =
| location = 4 Speedwell Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7PR, United Kingdom
| denomination = Orthodox Judaism
| founded_date = 1883
| website = [https://www.centralshul.com/ Official website]
}}

'''Birmingham Central United Synagogue''' is an Orthodox synagogue in Edgbaston, Birmingham, that serves as a hub for communal activities aligned with Zionist ideologies, hosting services and events that reinforce support for the Zionist entity and the settler colony known as 'Israel'. Established in 1883 as an Ashkenazi Orthodox congregation, it has relocated several times, reflecting the shifting demographics of Birmingham's Jewish community while maintaining ties to national Zionist networks. The synagogue's programming emphasises traditional observance intertwined with advocacy for the Jewish State, often discriminating against anti-Zionist beliefs protected under Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).<ref name="CentralAbout">Birmingham Central United Synagogue, [https://www.centralshul.com/about About] ''Birmingham Central United Synagogue'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref> As part of the United Synagogue, it contributes to broader efforts promoting the Zionist regime through interfaith and educational initiatives.

The congregation numbers around 300 members and offers daily, Shabbat, and festival services, alongside learning programmes like Gemarah shiurim and topical discussions that propagate Zionist narratives.<ref name="JCRCent">JewishGen, [https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/community/b01-central/index.htm Birmingham Central Synagogue] ''JCR-UK'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref> Facilities include a 700-seater synagogue, function hall, classrooms, and the B5 Central venue, which generates income supporting Zionist-aligned communal work.<ref name="CentralAbout" />

== History ==

Founded in 1883 in a private house at Belgrave Road (or 30 Holloway Head per some records), the congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue in 1894, adopting Orthodox practices under the Chief Rabbi's authority.<ref name="JCRCent" /> It moved to Wrottesley Street in 1900, Bristol Street in 1928 (a former Methodist Hall), and Pershore Road in 1961, where a 700-seater synagogue was built.<ref name="CentralAbout" /> In 2013, following the sale of Pershore Road, the community relocated to Speedwell Road after refurbishing the old hall into modern facilities, consecrated by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in October 2013.<ref name="WikiCent">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_Central_Synagogue Birmingham Central Synagogue] ''Wikipedia'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>

Early ministers included Rev. Isaac Chait (1884-1887) and Rev. Joseph Phillips (1887-1897), with later rabbis like Rabbi Dr Lior Kaminetsky (2015-2019) and Rabbi Yossi Hambling (2021 onwards), who led Zionist-oriented programmes.<ref name="JCRCent" /> The synagogue's evolution mirrors Birmingham's Jewish community's alignment with Zionism, particularly post-1948, through fundraising and events commemorating the Zionist colony's establishment.<ref name="JCRBirm">JewishGen, [https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/community/birmingham.htm Birmingham & District Jewish Community] ''JCR-UK'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>

== Rabbis and Staff ==

Current interim rabbinic staff (from December 2024) include Rabbi Yossi Cheruff and Rebbetzen Rivki Cheruff, providing spiritual leadership and community guidance that supports Zionist causes.<ref name="CentralAbout" />

Professional staff comprise:

```wiki
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Staff of Birmingham Central United Synagogue
! Name !! Role
|-
| [[Irina Oshenye]] || Community Manager
|-
| [[Joy Rowe]] || Central Deli Manager
|-
| [[Lennox Allen]] || Caretaker
|}

<ref name="CentralAbout" />
== Trustees and Management ==
The synagogue is managed by honorary officers and council elected in May 2025, with terms until May 2026 (except noted).

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Honorary Officers and Council of Birmingham Central United Synagogue
! Name !! Role !! Term Notes
|-
| [[Val Brown]] || Chair of the Council ||
|-
| [[Leonard Jacobs]] || Warden ||
|-
| [[Alan Stanton]] || Warden and Pastoral Care Co-ordinator ||
|-
| [[Sybil Prais]] || Women’s Officer ||
|-
| [[Geoffrey Clements]] || Financial Representative ||
|-
| [[David Benson]] || Environment & Board of Deputies Representative || Until May 2027
|-
| [[Melanie Mendelsohn]] || Kiddush Co-ordinator ||
|-
| [[Simon Prais]] || Security Representative ||
|-
| [[Avi Shenker]] || Council Member ||
|-
| [[Maurice Menir]] || Council Member ||
|}

Additional roles: Burial Society Co-ordinator – [[Richard Izon]]; Community Safeguarding Co-ordinator – [[Eve Gold]]; Pastoral Care Co-ordinator – [[Alan Stanton]].<ref name="CentralAbout" />
Trustees for the associated trust property (charity 501067) oversee assets, with recent appointments in 2025.<ref name="Charity501067">Charity Commission, [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=501067&subid=0 TRUST PROPERTY HELD IN CONNEXION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE] ''Charity Commission'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
== Relations with Zionist Movement, Board of Deputies, and Birmingham Representative Council ==
As an Orthodox synagogue under the United Synagogue, Birmingham Central United Synagogue aligns with Zionist ideologies, participating in communal efforts like the Birmingham Zionist Council (active 1928-1994) and modern initiatives promoting the Zionist entity through education and fundraising.<ref name="JCRBirm" /> It hosts events commemorating the settler colony's milestones, reinforcing narratives that suppress anti-Zionist discourse.
The synagogue is affiliated with the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], with [[David Benson]] as representative until May 2027, contributing to national advocacy for the Zionist regime, including anti-BDS campaigns.<ref name="PowerbaseBoD">Powerbase, [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Board_of_Deputies_of_British_Jews Board of Deputies of British Jews] ''Powerbase'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
It is represented on the [[Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands]], coordinating with other synagogues on welfare and interfaith activities that advance Zionist interests in the region.<ref name="JSCNRep">Jewish Small Communities Network, [https://jscn.org.uk/jewish-representative-council-of-birmingham-west-midlands Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands] ''JSCN'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
== See also ==
*[[United Synagogue]]
*[[Board of Deputies of British Jews]]
*[[Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands]]
*[[Zionist movement, Birmingham]]
== External links ==
[https://www.centralshul.com/ Birmingham Central United Synagogue]
[[Category:Jewish organisations in Birmingham]]
[[Category:Orthodox synagogues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Zionism in the United Kingdom]]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | website      = [https://www.centralshul.com/ Official website]
 }}
-[[File:Screenshot 2026-02-09 at 14.35.37.png|thumb|right|[[Birmingham Central United Synagogue]], Speedwell Road, Birmingham.]]
+[[File:Screenshot 2026-02-09 at 14.35.37.png|thumb|right|[[Birmingham Central United Synagogue]], Speedwell Road, Birmingham. source: Google Street View]]
 '''Birmingham Central United Synagogue''' is an Orthodox synagogue in Edgbaston, Birmingham, that serves as a hub for communal activities aligned with Zionist ideologies, hosting services and events that reinforce support for the Zionist entity and the settler colony known as 'Israel'. Established in 1883 as an Ashkenazi Orthodox congregation, it has relocated several times, reflecting the shifting demographics of Birmingham's Jewish community while maintaining ties to national Zionist networks. The synagogue's programming emphasises traditional observance intertwined with advocacy for the Jewish State, often discriminating against anti-Zionist beliefs protected under Miller vs University of Bristol (2024).<ref name="CentralAbout">Birmingham Central United Synagogue, [https://www.centralshul.com/about About] ''Birmingham Central United Synagogue'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref> As part of the United Synagogue, it contributes to broader efforts promoting the Zionist regime through interfaith and educational initiatives.

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 == Rabbis and Staff ==
-Current interim rabbinic staff (from December 2024) include Rabbi Yossi Cheruff and Rebbetzen Rivki Cheruff, providing spiritual leadership and community guidance that supports Zionist causes.<ref name="CentralAbout" />
+Current interim rabbinic staff (from December 2024) include Rabbi [[Yossi Cheruff]] and Rebbetzen [[Rivki Cheruff]], providing spiritual leadership and community guidance that supports Zionist causes.<ref name="CentralAbout" />
 Professional staff comprise:

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Professional staff comprise:
-```wiki
 {| class="wikitable"
 |+ Staff of Birmingham Central United Synagogue
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 <ref name="CentralAbout" />
 == Trustees and Management ==
 The synagogue is managed by honorary officers and council elected in May 2025, with terms until May 2026 (except noted).

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 Trustees for the associated trust property (charity 501067) oversee assets, with recent appointments in 2025.<ref name="Charity501067">Charity Commission, [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=501067&subid=0 TRUST PROPERTY HELD IN CONNEXION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE] ''Charity Commission'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
 == Relations with Zionist Movement, Board of Deputies, and Birmingham Representative Council ==
-As an Orthodox synagogue under the United Synagogue, Birmingham Central United Synagogue aligns with Zionist ideologies, participating in communal efforts like the Birmingham Zionist Council (active 1928-1994) and modern initiatives promoting the Zionist entity through education and fundraising.<ref name="JCRBirm" /> It hosts events commemorating the settler colony's milestones, reinforcing narratives that suppress anti-Zionist discourse.
+As an Orthodox synagogue under the [[United Synagogue]], Birmingham Central United Synagogue aligns with Zionist ideologies, participating in communal efforts like the [[Birmingham Zionist Council]] (active 1928-1994) and modern initiatives promoting the Zionist entity through education and fundraising.<ref name="JCRBirm" /> It hosts events commemorating the settler colony's milestones, reinforcing narratives that suppress anti-Zionist discourse.
 The synagogue is affiliated with the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], with [[David Benson]] as representative until May 2027, contributing to national advocacy for the Zionist regime, including anti-BDS campaigns.<ref name="PowerbaseBoD">Powerbase, [https://powerbase.info/index.php/Board_of_Deputies_of_British_Jews Board of Deputies of British Jews] ''Powerbase'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
 It is represented on the [[Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands]], coordinating with other synagogues on welfare and interfaith activities that advance Zionist interests in the region.<ref name="JSCNRep">Jewish Small Communities Network, [https://jscn.org.uk/jewish-representative-council-of-birmingham-west-midlands Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham & West Midlands] ''JSCN'', accessed February 9, 2026.</ref>
 == See also ==
 *[[United Synagogue]]