The north-east Jewish community celebrated the reopening of Britain’s most northerly synagogue this weekend after months of closure.
The Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre on Dee Street was forced to shut its doors in September after a washing machine broke, leaving gallons of water to tear a hole through its roof and flood its basement.
In the months following the disaster, followers of the faith in the north-east had to worship elsewhere while the building was being fixed and to help pay for the repair work a fundraiser was launched with a goal of £10,000.
Despite initial fears the target would not be reached, the synagogue eventually received more than £25,000 from donors across Aberdeen and around the world.
To thank the donors and everyone else who assisted the Jewish community in their time of need, a special open day was held at the synagogue yesterday following a weekend of celebrations to rededicate the building.
A number of rabbis, other religious leaders and Aberdeen’s lord provost Barney Crockett attended the rededication.
And as well tucking in to as a spread of traditional Jewish food, visitors were also able to see a special new cover for the synagogue’s Bimah, the raised platform in the middle of the building, carefully embroidered with the names of the people and organisations who helped the community get back on their feet.
Mark Taylor, the president of the synagogue, said: “We didn’t really think we would be able to raise the £10,000 we needed, so I was staggered by the generosity and kindness that was shown and which allowed us to raise £25,000.
“It’s now back to relative normality for the synagogue.
“We are just so grateful for everyone who donated and helped us get up and running again.”
