About Us

Our dedicated committees and management teams work tirelessly to support religious services, educational programmes, and community initiatives, ensuring a vibrant and welcoming environment for all members and visitors alike.

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