Newcastle Reform Synagogue

Newcastle Reform Synagogue, also known by its Hebrew name Ner Tamid ("Everlasting Light"), is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. It is located in Gosforth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Newcastle Reform Synagogue
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Registered charity (number 246816)
Status	Active
Location
Location	The Croft/ off Kenton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4RF  United Kingdom
Geographic coordinates	55.00221606649919°N 1.6398637152381546°W / 55.00221606649919; -1.6398637152381546
Architecture
Completed	1982 (the building); 1963 (the community)[1]
Website
www.newcastlereformsynagogue.co.uk

The community was founded in 1963[1] by children of European-Jewish refugees. After about 20 families had showed interest the previous year in forming a Reform congregation, assistance was sought from the nearest Reform synagogue, Sinai Synagogue, Leeds, who lent a Torah scroll and some prayer books. Services were held in homes, school rooms and church halls.[2]

In 1963 the newly formed congregation bought a Methodist chapel in Derby Street, off Barrack Road, in Newcastle. This was converted into a synagogue, function hall, school rooms and a caretaker's flat, and the congregation grew. However, eleven years later, the congregation was served with a Compulsory Purchase Order and had to abandon the building.[3] For the next ten years the community held regular services as before, in homes, school halls and church halls. On High Holy Days it used the Newcastle City Council Chambers.[2]

The present purpose-built synagogue was completed in 1982. A dedicated cemetery in North Shields has a prayer house, complete with facilities for tahara (ritual cleansing of the deceased).[2]