Chapeltown Road New Synagogue

This was the appropriate name for the new synagogue which was to become perhaps the most popular synagogue in Leeds. The building was designed in a Byzantine style with a large dome and minaret, somewhat like an Istanbul mosque, though with a classical Greek entrance. The adjoining Brandsby Lodge became the communal powerhouse at the time, housing not only the office of UHC, but also that of the Beth Din, the Board of Shechitah and, later the Representative Council. There was one condition of the merger which the Great Synagogue demanded of the New Briggate Synagogue to which it had to agree. The respected rabbi of the latter, Rabbi Hurwitz, was unable to preach in English and was thus not considered desirable by the Great Synagogue. In December 1931 a special general meeting of the UHC was informed that an overdraft with Westminster Bank to finance the building stood at 10,000.

The New Synagogue opened for worship for the High Festivals in 1932 and Rabbi Hurwitz was allowed to give a discourse, in Yiddish, for the one and only time on Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Repentance). The official opening of the synagogue was planned for 18th September 1932 to be followed by a banquet, but the invited opener, Mr. Lionel de Rothschild, was unable to attend and there never was an official opening of the shul.

A new chazzan was sought of a suitable calibre for such a large and prestigious synagogue and 20 applications came in for the position when it was advertised. Chazzan Solomon Stern was selected and appointed at a salary of 10 guineas a week and proved to be an inspired choice. He served the congregation for 28 years. Even today, more than 30 years after his death, his voice and rendering of the prayers are recalled with pleasure by all who heard him. Fortunately, there are a few recordings that he made to remind us of the quality of his chazzanut.

In 1935 artist David Hillman was commissioned by the synagogue to produce three stained glass windows to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. (these are now in situ in Shadwell Lane Synagogue), and in 1936 the synagogue had about 1,000 members. In that year The Rev. Jacob Samuel, who throughout his long career had served the Mariempoler, New Leeds Congregation and UHC, retired. The following year a new minister, Rev. Super, was inducted.

The synagogue was filled to capacity for most services in the early years leading up to the Second World War. That war brought grief and tragedy - particularly to the Jewish people. In 1942, when it had become plain that millions of Jews had been slaughtered by the Nazis, the Chief Rabbi ordered a day of fasting and prayer for Sunday 13th December. The service in the New Synagogue was packed with more than 2,000 worshippers.

Even before the war, Jewish families, many of whom were UHC members, started settling further north in the Moortown area enabling the Moortown Synagogue to be established and the cycle of decline of membership and attendance, so typical of our story, set in for the New Synagogue in the decades after hostilities ceased.

In the early 1950's a new minister, Rabbi Solomon Brown, was appointed Senior Minister of UHC. Born and educated in the East End of London he had been Chaplain in the Forces for some years after the end of the war. He was awarded a doctorate in 1955 and was much appreciated by the congregation, particularly for his fine oratory. He retired in 1992 after long and distinguished service to UHC.

The New Synagogue closed in 1985. The building was purchased by Leeds City Council and is now in use as the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The building is listed so that it should long be standing as a reminder of the prominent part it once played in Leeds synagogal life. The closing service, held just before Succot that year, was attended by many people who realised they were witnessing the end of an era. As the scrolls of Law were removed from the Ark for the very last time, the management had the inspired idea of projecting a recording of the late Chazzan Stern's beautiful voice from loudspeakers. A nostalgic end to what was a most moving event.

Courtesy: Murray Freedman, UHC 150th Anniversary Brochure