Liberal gains in York as young congregation starts to develop

YORK LIBERAL Jewish Community is about to celebrate the first bnei mitzvah in the city for half-a-century and the consecration of what is believed to be York’s first Jewish cemetery since medieval times.

The celebrant is Esther van der Bos, 14, from Otterburn, Northumberland, who will read a passage from the community’s Czech Torah scroll, which was rescued from Holocaust and lent to the congregation by the Memorial Scrolls Trust. York’s student rabbi, Gabriel Webber, will conduct the service with Liberal Judaism’s director of strategy and partnerships, Rabbi Charley Baginsky.

On the same day, Rabbi Baginsky will officiate at the consecration of a plot of land being set aside for Jewish burial in Fulford cemetery.

The events reflect the growth of the new community to nearly 100 members. A cheder started in September now has a dozen pupils.

Esther’s mother, Miriam Thorpe, is “proud as punch that Esther has chosen to follow a Jewish life as a result of the creation of this wonderful community in the city”.

Community chair Ben Rich added that the “coincidence of our first coming of age ceremony and establishment of a cemetery shows how Jewish life — with its inevitable finale — is returning to York”.

Its next ambition is the appointment of a rabbi if the financial situation allows.

It shows how Jewish life is returning to the city’