Entering the Hull of fame
HULL’S NEW rabbi is being credited wi with rejuvenating the city’s Hebrew Co Congregation.
Since Rabbi Naftoli Lifschitz began wo work at the Orthodox synagogue at RRo Rosh Hashanah, there has been a surge in the numbers taking part in services an and communal activities.
One of the most successful events or organised by Rabbi Lifschitz and his wi wife Shayna was a Friday-night dinner w which th the community’s attracted 70 largest people turnouts — one for of a dinner in a decade.
“He has made an impressive start,” said shul president Jonathan Levine. “Rabbi Lifschitz has done a good job very quickly. We are all thrilled.”
The part-time role involves the Gateshead-born minister, his wife and their five children spending Shabbat and part of the week in Yorkshire, before returning home to Tyneside.
Rabbi Lifschitz has also held events for students, visited older members of the community in their homes and in the Menorah House care home and participated in a Remembrance Day service at the city’s cenotaph.
“I want to give the older people some quality time and let them know the community is still there for them,” he said. Mrs Lifschitz has organised monthly sessions for women to discuss religious topics and learn challahbaking skills.
The 34-year-old graduate of Jerusalem’s Mir Yeshivah sees Hull as “a community which is ready to unite, to build and connect. My role R is trying to strengthen the community and get them working together. We have all enjoyed the experience so far.”
Rabbi Lifschitz is also a qualified cognitive behavioural therapist and is studying for a Masters. The community’s previous, full
wt time rabbi was made redundant for economic reasons.