The Jewish Faith

Judaism is a monotheistic religion. Jews believe there is one God who created and rules the world. This God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (in all places at all times). God is also just and merciful.

It is believed that each person is created in the image of one God. Therefore, all people are created equal. Furthermore, our likeness to God is in our intellectual ability to understand. Judaism believes that people have freewill and are responsible for the choices they make. When the Israelites accepted the Law from God at Mount Sinai, they committed themselves to following a way of living which regulates both how they worship God and how they treat other people. The Torah, which means ‘teaching’ is the primary text of Judaism and is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish People.

Jews in York

The history of Jews in York is dominated by the massacre in 1190 when about 150 Jews died at Clifford’s Tower, many at their own hands rather than convert to Christianity. Following the readmission into England in 1655, few Jews settled in York until late in the nineteenth century. Anti-Semitism in Russia and Eastern Europe resulted in many Jews arriving at eastern seaboard ports like Hull and Grimsby. A few settled in York, forming a synagogue (on Aldwark) in 1892 and a Poor Relief Society (on Gillygate). Although the synagogue closed in 1975, according to the 2001 census about 200 Jews now live in York. An Anglo-Israel Friendship Society, which was founded with the support of Archbishop Stuart Blanch, currently exists. 

The Jewish Advisers

Geoffrey Cantoris Professor of the History of Science at the University of Leeds. With a research interest in science and religion, he has written on Jewish contributions to science. He is an active member of Sinai (Reform) Synagogue in Leeds and participates in inter-faith dialogue.

Pauline Kollontai is a Principal Lecturer and Co-ordinator for Research in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John University College. She lectures and researches on a variety of issues concerning religion in the contemporary  world and is active in inter-religious dialogue.

There are about 200 Jews currently living in York. There is an Anglo-Israeli Friendship Society in York, which was founded with the support of Archbishop Stuart Blanch.

The nearest synagogue is in Leeds, where the Orthodox Chaplain to Jewish students across the Yorkshire area is based.  Email Rabbi Michael Treblow or telephone (0113) 2683526.