Difference between revisions of "Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland"
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The organisation has operated continuously for over 55 years, making it a unique institution in British Jewish student life — the only one with a specific, long-term remit for Scotland. | The organisation has operated continuously for over 55 years, making it a unique institution in British Jewish student life — the only one with a specific, long-term remit for Scotland. | ||
| + | === Chaplaincy Couples and Officers === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The following is the complete chronological list of chaplains and chaplaincy couples, drawn directly from the official Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland records (updated March 2026) with cross-verification from contemporary reports. Many served as husband-and-wife teams.<ref name="JSCSAbout">Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland, [https://www.jscs.scot/about-us About us] ''jscs.scot'', accessed March 2026.</ref><ref name="JC2009">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/news/community/northern-region-appoints-chaplain-jjqad40t Northern region appoints chaplain] ''thejc.com'', June 2009.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | * '''1969–1978''' — [[Rabbi Michael Rosin]] (founding Honorary Chaplain).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1978–1979''' — [[Rabbi Tuvia Hochwald]] & [[Sara Hochwald]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1979–1980''' — [[David Dimant]] (Chaplaincy fieldworker).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1980–1981''' — [[Rabbi Dr Shimon Simpson]] & [[Linor Simpson]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1981–1983''' — [[Rev. Ze'ev Amit]] & [[Yaffa Amit]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1984–1985''' — [[Rabbi Ya’akov Rushnyevsky]] & [[Rivka Rushnyevsky]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1986–1987''' — [[Rabbi Benji Cohen]] & [[Yehudith Cohen]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1987–1993''' — [[Rabbi Michael Rosin]] & [[Ruthie Rosin]] (chaplaincy couple; return of the founding chaplain).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1993–1994''' — [[Richard Jacobs]] (Chaplaincy Team member).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''1994–2008''' — [[Rabbi Dovid Cohen]] & [[Sora Cohen]] (longest-serving couple in this period).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''2008''' — [[Gabby Houri]] & [[Tanya Stone]] (Chaplaincy Team).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''2009''' — [[Adam Nuhi]] (Chaplaincy Team).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /> | ||
| + | * '''2009–2012''' — [[Rabbi Garry Wayland]] & [[Suzanne Wayland]] (chaplaincy couple; appointed September 2009; ended 2012).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /><ref name="JC2012">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/glasgow-society-celebrates-landmark-with-gala-dinner-mn7ys18q Glasgow society celebrates landmark with gala dinner] ''thejc.com'', 22 November 2012.</ref> | ||
| + | * '''2012–2018''' — [[Rabbi Yossi Bodenheim]] & [[Sarah Bodenheim]] (chaplaincy couple; moved from Israel to Glasgow in 2012; served until 2018/early 2019).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /><ref name="JC2016">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/rabbi-on-the-road-to-success-e6b04hf6 Rabbi on the road to success] ''thejc.com'', 18 February 2016.</ref><ref name="Algemeiner2016">The Algemeiner, [https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/12/12/scottish-rabbi-says-family-is-distressed-after-being-assaulted-in-central-edinburgh/ Scottish Rabbi Says Family Is ‘Distressed’ After Being Assaulted] ''algemeiner.com'', 12 December 2016.</ref> | ||
| + | * '''2019''' — [[Rabbi Eli Grunewald]] & [[Shevi Grunewald]] (chaplaincy couple).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /><ref name="ScotParl2019">Scottish Parliament, [https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/time-for-reflection-april-30-2019 Time for Reflection: Rabbi Eli Grunewald] ''scottishparliament.tv'', 30 April 2019.</ref> | ||
| + | * '''2019–2022''' — [[Rabbi Aharon Lemberger]] & [[Hodaya Lemberger]] (chaplaincy couple; returned to Israel in 2022 after four years).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /><ref name="OTS2022">Ohr Torah Stone, [https://ots.org.il/vayishlach-lemberger-scotland/ Our Shlichim Share – Rabbi Aharon and Hodaya Lemberger, Scotland] ''ots.org.il'', December 2022.</ref><ref name="FB2022">Facebook (Aharon Lemberger), post confirming return to Israel after four years in Scotland, September 2022.</ref> | ||
| + | * '''August 2022–present''' — [[Rabbi Eliran Shabo]] & [[Ayalah Shabo]] (current resident chaplaincy couple, based in Edinburgh with their children; cover all Scottish universities).<ref name="JSCSAbout" /><ref name="UJCScotland">University Jewish Chaplaincy, [https://www.mychaplaincy.co.uk/chaplains/scotland Rabbi Eliran & Ayalah Shabo] ''mychaplaincy.co.uk'', accessed March 2026.</ref> | ||
=== Current Structure and Operations === | === Current Structure and Operations === | ||
JSCS is governed by a board of trustees and an advisory group drawn from Scottish Jewish community leaders, former students, and academics. Current key figures include: | JSCS is governed by a board of trustees and an advisory group drawn from Scottish Jewish community leaders, former students, and academics. Current key figures include: | ||
Latest revision as of 15:46, 18 March 2026
Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland (JSCS; Scottish Gaelic: Caplaingeachd Oileanach Iùdhach Alba; abbreviated JSCS or often referred to simply as "Scottish Jewish Chaplaincy") is the longest continuously operating dedicated Jewish student chaplaincy service in the United Kingdom. It provides pastoral care, educational programming, social events, religious services, and crisis support for Jewish students at universities across Scotland, regardless of denominational background or level of observance.[1][2]
The organisation operates as a registered Scottish charity (OSCR number SC005999) and maintains an inclusive, non-judgmental approach, working closely with university Jewish Societies (JSocs), local Jewish communities, national bodies such as the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), and the broader UK Jewish chaplaincy network.[3]
History and Name Evolution
JSCS traces its origins to 1969, when students from the Northern Region of the Inter-University Jewish Federation (now Union of Jewish Students) invited Rabbi Michael Rosin to serve as their first Honorary Jewish Chaplain, covering Scotland and Northeast England. The service was initially administered by the Northern Region Chaplaincy Board (NRCB).[1]
- 1990s — Renamed Northern Region Jewish Chaplaincy (NRJC) to reflect evolving scope and branding.[1]
- 2010s onward — Rebranded as Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland (JSCS), with a sharpened focus on Scottish universities following the separation of Northeast England coverage to other regional chaplaincy structures.[1][4]
The organisation has operated continuously for over 55 years, making it a unique institution in British Jewish student life — the only one with a specific, long-term remit for Scotland.
Chaplaincy Couples and Officers
The following is the complete chronological list of chaplains and chaplaincy couples, drawn directly from the official Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland records (updated March 2026) with cross-verification from contemporary reports. Many served as husband-and-wife teams.[1][4]
- 1969–1978 — Rabbi Michael Rosin (founding Honorary Chaplain).[1]
- 1978–1979 — Rabbi Tuvia Hochwald & Sara Hochwald (chaplaincy couple).[1]
- 1979–1980 — David Dimant (Chaplaincy fieldworker).[1]
- 1980–1981 — Rabbi Dr Shimon Simpson & Linor Simpson (chaplaincy couple).[1]
- 1981–1983 — Rev. Ze'ev Amit & Yaffa Amit (chaplaincy couple).[1]
- 1984–1985 — Rabbi Ya’akov Rushnyevsky & Rivka Rushnyevsky (chaplaincy couple).[1]
- 1986–1987 — Rabbi Benji Cohen & Yehudith Cohen (chaplaincy couple).[1]
- 1987–1993 — Rabbi Michael Rosin & Ruthie Rosin (chaplaincy couple; return of the founding chaplain).[1]
- 1993–1994 — Richard Jacobs (Chaplaincy Team member).[1]
- 1994–2008 — Rabbi Dovid Cohen & Sora Cohen (longest-serving couple in this period).[1]
- 2008 — Gabby Houri & Tanya Stone (Chaplaincy Team).[1]
- 2009 — Adam Nuhi (Chaplaincy Team).[1]
- 2009–2012 — Rabbi Garry Wayland & Suzanne Wayland (chaplaincy couple; appointed September 2009; ended 2012).[1][5]
- 2012–2018 — Rabbi Yossi Bodenheim & Sarah Bodenheim (chaplaincy couple; moved from Israel to Glasgow in 2012; served until 2018/early 2019).[1][6][7]
- 2019 — Rabbi Eli Grunewald & Shevi Grunewald (chaplaincy couple).[1][8]
- 2019–2022 — Rabbi Aharon Lemberger & Hodaya Lemberger (chaplaincy couple; returned to Israel in 2022 after four years).[1][9][10]
- August 2022–present — Rabbi Eliran Shabo & Ayalah Shabo (current resident chaplaincy couple, based in Edinburgh with their children; cover all Scottish universities).[1][11]
Current Structure and Operations
JSCS is governed by a board of trustees and an advisory group drawn from Scottish Jewish community leaders, former students, and academics. Current key figures include:
- Chair: Dr Mia Spiro
- Long-serving board member and former chair: Nicola Livingston (1990–2020 as chair; also former Glasgow JSoc president)
- Advisory/trustee: Harvey Kaplan[1]
The service is mobile and travel-intensive rather than campus- or office-based, reflecting the dispersed geography of Scottish universities (Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, etc.). Events include weekly learning sessions, Shabbat meals, holiday programming, one-on-one pastoral support, and crisis intervention (e.g., during exams, personal difficulties, or antisemitism incidents).
Current Chaplaincy Couple
Since August 2022, JSCS has been led by resident chaplaincy couple:
They reside in Edinburgh with their children and travel regularly to cover all Scottish campuses. Contact is primarily via email (eliran@mychaplaincy.co.uk / ayalah@mychaplaincy.co.uk) or university honorary chaplain channels (e.g., University of Edinburgh: v1eshabo@ed.ac.uk). No public residential address is listed for privacy and security reasons.[11][12]
Link with University Jewish Chaplaincy (London)
JSCS maintains a formal partnership with University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC), the London-based national Jewish student chaplaincy organisation that coordinates chaplaincy provision across much of the United Kingdom.
- UJC provides strategic oversight, professional development, funding support, and national coordination for regional chaplaincies, including JSCS.
- The current Scottish chaplains (Rabbi Eliran Shabo and Ayalah Shabo) are formally appointed and employed through UJC, appearing on the UJC website as the Scotland team.
- JSCS benefits from UJC’s national resources (training, crisis protocols, interfaith networks, and connections to Chabad, Masorti, Reform, and Orthodox communities) while retaining autonomy in Scottish-specific programming and governance.
- This relationship ensures consistency in standards and allows Scottish students to access UJC-wide initiatives (e.g., national retreats, leadership programmes, and emergency support).[11][13]
The partnership is described as collaborative rather than hierarchical: JSCS operates independently under its own Scottish charity status and board, but draws on UJC’s infrastructure and expertise to enhance service delivery in a region with smaller Jewish populations and greater geographic spread than southern England.[1]
See also
- Union of Jewish Students
- University Jewish Chaplaincy
- Glasgow Jewish Students' Society
- Edinburgh Jewish Students' Association
- Edinburgh University Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue Society
External links
- Official website – Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland
- Full history and chaplain list
- UJC Scotland page
- Charity register entry
Notes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland, About us jscs.scot, accessed March 2026.
- ↑ Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland, Home page jscs.scot, accessed March 2026.
- ↑ Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Jewish Student Chaplaincy Scotland oscr.org.uk, accessed March 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Jewish Chronicle, Northern region appoints chaplain thejc.com, June 2009.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Glasgow society celebrates landmark with gala dinner thejc.com, 22 November 2012.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi on the road to success thejc.com, 18 February 2016.
- ↑ The Algemeiner, Scottish Rabbi Says Family Is ‘Distressed’ After Being Assaulted algemeiner.com, 12 December 2016.
- ↑ Scottish Parliament, Time for Reflection: Rabbi Eli Grunewald scottishparliament.tv, 30 April 2019.
- ↑ Ohr Torah Stone, Our Shlichim Share – Rabbi Aharon and Hodaya Lemberger, Scotland ots.org.il, December 2022.
- ↑ Facebook (Aharon Lemberger), post confirming return to Israel after four years in Scotland, September 2022.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 University Jewish Chaplaincy, Rabbi Eliran & Ayalah Shabo mychaplaincy.co.uk, accessed March 2026.
- ↑ University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Jewish Chaplain chaplaincy.ed.ac.uk, updated June 2024.
- ↑ University Jewish Chaplaincy, Home page and structure mychaplaincy.co.uk, accessed March 2026.