Scotland's Largest Shul!
Giffnock Shul is the largest Shul in Scotland with a membership of around 800 members. We also have a Banqueting Suite which can host functions up to 230 people and a Reception Hall which can accommodate up to 100. Both of these are available for hire for private functions, social events, organisational meetings and public forums.
The complex also houses a suite of rooms on the upper level used by various organisations including the JCC, JIA, Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, SCoJeC, Queens Park Charitable Trust, JNF KKL Scotland and others. The basement houses the Beth Medraish in which daily services take place and the Communal Mikveh. There is also a restaurant run by Glasgow Lubavitch (opening times vary) and a flat which is currently occupied by one of our members.
Educational classes on a wide variety of subjects from learning to read Hebrew or speak Ivrit to Talmudic Shiurim are available and there is a wide variety of books available from the Shul library.
The Synagogue is also home to the beautiful stained glass windows designed by John Clark and originally commissioned by Queens Park Hebrew Congregation. The windows depict both Shabbat and the various festivals and can be viewed by arrangement with the Synagogue office.
The Shul is always happy to welcome visitors. If you are planning to come to Giffnock, please check the website for details of accommodation and food.
Founders of Giffnock Shul
S Abramson, B L Banks, S Barclay, S Barnett, J Benson, L Benson, P Berger, B R Cates, L Cohen, A Collins, D Coorsh, Mrs F Coorsh, S Coorsh, P Coutts, W Dunitz, D Elston, L Ferrar, A Gelfer, J Gelfer, J Goldberg, A Goobler, H Gordon, J Gordon, S Gould, S Grace, A Granet, H Harris, B Hylander, J Hylander, J H Kapper, N Katz, R S Khan, J Krevitsky, M Lee, J Levitt, E Levitus, M Levitus, J Lewis, W Marco, C Markson, Mrs. J Markson, J Markson, S Meadow, J Mendelson, E Naftalin, H Ness, B Nettler, H N Norton, H Rimmer, R Seigle, S Shur, D Silver, H Silver, W Silver, M Silverstein, M Silverstone, C Stein, R Terley, B Vertis.
Ministers
1934 – 1945 | Rev J Vainstein
1946 – 1964 | Rabbi A L Rubinstein
1965 – 1967 | Rabbi Dr S Herman
1968 – 1971 | Rabbi J Rosen
1971 – 1975 | Rabbi D Miller
1975 – 1982 | Rev A Gamzu (Acting Minister)
1982 – 1998 | Rabbi P Greenberg
1999 – Now | Rabbi M Rubin (Assistant Minister 1994-1998)
Cantors
1959 – 1963 | Rev P. Copperman
1964 – 1990 | Rev E. Levy
Management Team
Chair – Michael Goodman
Vice Chair – Howard Beach
Hon. Secretary – Ephraim Borowski
Hon. Treasurer – Brian Fox
Parnass (Senior Warden) – Ed Faber
Gabbai (Junior Warden) – Jason Fisher
Building Convenor – Michael Goodman
Events – Michelle Wilson
IT / Online – Daniel Frank
Immediate Past Chair – Jeffrey Jesner
Trustee - Janine Beach
Trustee - Betsy Winston
Committee
Janine Beach
Michelle Wilson
Roger Mitchell
Derek Livingston
Jason Fisher
Warren Karpf
Pamela Livingston
David Katz
Lenny Wilson
Jeff Vulkan
Daniel Frank
Gary Cohen
Eddie Talbot
Ken Gerber
Marcell Horvath
Alex Berkley
Honorary Life Presidents
Monty Cowen
Dr Bernard Groden
Malcolm Livingstone
Dr Kenneth Collins
Ephraim Borowski
Raymond Strang
David Links