Minute Book of the Hull Old Hebrew Congregation Council

Reference No:
C DJC/2/1/1/5
Dates:
May 1951-May 1964
Description:

Volume contains minutes of Council monthly meetings, special meetings and AGMs, held in the Beth Hamedresh, the Vestry Room, and the lounge of the synagogue hall, Osborne Street, L. Rapstone, president to 2 Jun 1958, H.M. Bentley, president from 18 Aug 1958, committee members attendance listed at front of volume for years 1952-1964. Minutes in this period heavily concerned with finding solutions to financial problems, rebuilding of synagogue and negotiations with Hull Corporation in this vein, and with attempts to bring closer unity between the three Hull Congregations. Manuscript and signed.

Includes:

Rapstone's re-election to Chief Rabbinate Council, and discussion re a Communal Rav for Hull congregations, 25 Nov 1951; Rebuilding of Synagogue following War Damage, and Proposal re 'Finance Amalgamation', 2 Dec 1951; Communal Minister and Synagogue Jubilee, 10 Mar 1952; Approach of Central Congregation re amalgamation, 12 May 1952; Rebuilding tenders, 21 May 1952; Proposal re joint service to mark Coronation, 2 Feb 1953; Unsuitability of a house in Anlaby Park District for conversion as a place of worship, 13 Apr 1953; possibility of re-opening amalgamation negotiations with Western Synagogue, 27 Apr 1952; Disused burial ground at Villa Place, 11 May 1953; Anlaby High Road Scheme re overflow services, and Hull Corporation allowing rebuilding of synagogue on Osborne Street, 30 Jun 1953; Discussion of requirement for a communal hall at Representative Council meeting, 22 Feb 1954; Negotiations with Hull Corporation re land exchange, 17 Mar 1954; War Damage Committee and building tenders, 27 May 1954; Purchase of seating from Nottingham Congregation, 6 Sep 1954; Presence of Ladies Guild and discussion of financial problems of the Congregation, 23 Sep 1954; Cottages at Marfleet condemned as unfit for human habitation, 9 Dec 1954; D.M. Rosen to be asked to lay foundation stone of new building, 9 Dec 1954; Possibility of forming joint Chevra Kadisha, and celebrations to attend laying of foundation stone, and memorial windows, 18 Jan 1955; Official opening of bew synagogue to take place 1 Sep 1955, 17 Feb 1955; Issue regarding Rev Levinson's 'status in the Ministry', 29 Mar 1955; Inability of Chief Rabbi to attend opening service due to illness, 25 Aug 1955; Discussion of future policy re communal Rev, 10 Nov 1955; Delay in completion of new synagogue hall, 6 Feb 1956; Burial rights, and appointment of Rabbi E.S. Rabbinovitz as Communal Rav for Hull, 12 Mar 1956; Election of Mr A. Baker as Life Member of the Council, 8 May 1955; Friendship Club, Hull Council for Old People's Welfare, suggested 'Rabbi's Advisory Council', and opening of account with Midland bank in name of Hull Old Hebrew Congregation Synagogue Hall Management Committee with Mr G. Gold as Treasurer, 7 Jun 1956; Gift of a piano for use in synagogue hall, formation of a 'mortgage redemption committee', 12 Jul 1956; Use of synagogue for Annual Remembrance Service of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women's Association, controversy leading to resignation of Mr S. Peysner, and formation of sub-committee re choice of persons to serve as Chosen Torah and Chosen Berichis, 29 Oct 1956; Presentation of silver sauce boat to Councillor and Mrs Lionel Rosen on their Silver Wedding on account of the Councillor's service as Honorary Secretary, 10 Dec 1956; Zionist Bazaar to be held in synagogue hall, resignation of Rev J. Levinson after 24 years service, and formation of subcommittee to organise a testimonial fund in recognition of Rev Levinson, and future organisation of the synagogue, 3 Mar 1957; Death of Rabbi Lurie, Proposal of Rev L. Sober for office of Chazan and Baal Korah, 14 Apr 1957; Arrangements re farewell reception for Rev Levinson, and poor attendance at funerals, need for a Second Reader, Shochet and Teacher, and upcoming visit of Rabbi Rabbinovitz to Israel, 5 May 1957; Interview of Rev E. Willencyk as candidate for post of Chazan, Shochet, 14 May 1957; First wedding to be held in new synagogue between Miss Naomi Rosen and Mr Leslie Dysch, approval of Rev E. Willencyk as Shocket, formation of Ways and Means Committee to raise funds for redemption of the mortgage, first service of Rev Willencyk, 27 June 1957; Fear of delay to High Festival services 'for lack of a Minyan', purchase of new Chazar's gown, and Life Insurance policy for Rev Willencyk, 9 Sep 1957; Additional mortgage of £4000, and induction service of Rev E. Willencyk, 9 Nov 1957; Visit of the Haham Dr Gaon to speak at the Arthur Lewenstein Memorial Hall, and distribution of Mitzvahs at High Festivals, 13 Jan 1958; Use of synagogue by Hull Zionist Society for service commemorating establishment of State of Israel, offer of a Sepher Torah for use by Jewish Blind Society in the Dolly Ross Holiday Home, Bournemouth, 31 Mar 1958; Demolition of Marfleet Cottages, and misunderstanding with Hull Zionist Society, 29 Apr 1958; Visit of the Chief Rabbi, scale of charges re use of the synagogue hall, 2 Jun 1958; Mr L. Rapstone made Honorary Life President and Mr A Lavine made Honorary Life Vice President, 1 Jul 1958; Hull Judeans Club and encouragement of youth organisations, and commissioning of oil portrait of Mr L Rapstone in commemoration of his services as President, 18 Aug 1958; Hull Judean's and Macabbi Association, and Lord Mayor's desire to hold a Civic Sabbath Service in the synagogue, 14 Oct 1958; Arrangements for presentation to Mr L. Rapstone, and celebration to mark 80th birthday of Mr A. Lavine, 10 Dec 1958; Pension for Mr Foot, alterations to Marfleet Cemetery, resignation of the Rev Rabinovitz as Communal Rabbi, 19 Feb 1959; Fundraising re Marfleet Cemetery improvements, 20 Apr 1959; Resignation of Mr J. Rosen as Honorary Treasurer, 22 Jun 1959; Recommendation of Rabbi Chaim Cooper, MA, to the position of Communal Rabbi of Kingston-upon-Hull, 3 Nov 1959; Induction of Rabbi Cooper as Communal Rabbi, dissatisfaction with services of Mr Clarke as Collector, 4 Jan 1960; Presentation in honour of Mr J. Rosen for services as Honorary Treasurer, 13 Apr 1960; World Zionist Organisation election of delegates, and tensions amongst the Executive of the Chevra Kadisha, 14 Jun 1960; Resignation of Mr J. Lennard as Chairman of the Chevra Kadisha, 26 Sep 1960; Social Committee and the first Housey Housey Evening, 29 Nov 1960; Rejection of suggestion that the synagogue hall be opened to members of the public for Housey Housey sessions, 21 Mar 1961; Termination of employment of Mr Clarke as Collector, 15 May 1961; Grant of £100 on the occasion of the wedding of Rev Willencyk's daughter, 2 Apr 1962; Communal Rabbi to be appointed additional Registrar of Marriages, 23 Jul 1962; Building of a Youth Centre adjacent to the Western Synagogue, and moving of Flatlets to site adjacent to the Men's Hospital following City Council's scheme for a flyover on Anlaby Road, 4 Mar 1963; Donation of two Sifrei Torah to the Religious Leader of the State of Israel, and motion that a standard presentation be made to any child of a member of the orthodox synagogues on the occasion of the child's marriage, 22 Jul 1963.

Enclosures:

i) Newspaper cuttings

ii) pp.1-2 Circular re Special General Meeting to discuss erection of a new synagogue on the 'Anlaby Road site', to be held 2 Dec 1951, Nov 1952 (1 paper)

iii) pp.15-16 Memorandum re AGM held 15 Jul 1963 noting Warden, President, Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, Chairman, Chevra Kadisha members, and those elected at previous AGM, n.d. (1 paper)

iv) pp.75-76 Memorandum re Rule 17 relating to government of the Congregation, and listing those elected to major offices and to Council 15 Jul 1963, n.d. (1 paper)

v) pp.211-212 Rough minutes re AGM held 22 Jul 1965, n.d. 22 Jul 1965 (1 paper)

pp.213-214 Memorandum re [?nomination of representative to] Hull Jewish Representative Council, n.d. (1 paper)

vi) pp.213-214 Memorandum re [?nomination of representative to] Board of Shechita, n.d. (1 paper)

Format:
Archive Item
Extent:
1 volume
Language:
Access Conditions:
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Repository:
Hull City Archives
Collection:
Records of the Hull Jewish Community