History

Brief History

In the early 1960’s, families started to move to Sunnybank. In 1964 a committee was formed with
the aim of purchasing land to build a synagogue.
1965 was the year of progress with purchase of the land at the corner of Sunnybank Road and
Manchester Road and signs proudly announced that the “ Bury &District Jewish Community” had
arrived.

1967 Rev David Grunsfeld was appointed as part time minister ,1970 the Eskol Playgroup was
formed and proved very successful until it moved to form part of the Bury and Whitefield Jewish
Primary School.

1975 plans were drawn up to build a Synagogue in 3 stages and in 1976 the building was completed and consecrated by the then Chief Rabbi Dr Immanuel Jakobovits.1982 Rev David Grunsfeld and family made Aliya. He was succeeded by Rabbi Leiberman for one
year.

Rabbi Moshe Fine was appointed in 1983 and left in 1985 when our present incumbent Rabbi
Binyomin Singer with his wife Daphna and family joined us to lead the community of 300 families.
1983/4 a function hall was built adding to the shool complex which is used by the Jewish Theatre
Group plus their choir as well as the Brownies.

1988 a none too popular decision was made to introduce a Roof Levy as the main roof over the shool had to be replaced.

1997 saw the prefabricated building demolished as it was beyond repair and the final stage of
building was completed with the Beth Hamedrash upstairs.

The shool continues to hold Friday evening and Saturday morning services, with a Kiddush after the service . Mrs Daphna Singer holds regular shiurim for the Ladies.

There is a weekly Ladies seed programme and a very strong Friendship club meet every
Wednesday afternoon which is organised by the League of Jewish Women.

Other groups using Bury Synagogue include a thriving Tuesday morning senior Discussion Group on Topics of the Day and Manchester Jewish Soccer League who hold their monthly meetings there.