Our Shul
Our Shul
Welcome to our Shul, led by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rubin. Explore religious services, educational offerings, venue hire, life celebrations, library resources and more! Learn More and Get Involved
Jewish Life and Religious Services
We are the only shul in Scotland that has 3 daily services. Our shul provides support for every part of the Jewish lifecycle.
Giffnock Minyan and Shul services
We have Minyanim for all Tefilot, 365 Days a year, 3 times a day.
Shabbat morning we start at 9.30am, weekday services are Sunday 8.45 pm, Monday & Thursday 7.20 am and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 7.30 am.
These times change for fast days, Rosh Chodesh or Bank Holidays. Mincha & Maariv varies according to the time of the year.
Please note: In the summer when Shabbat comes in very late the community takes on Shabbat earlier with Plag Hamincha.
Additional services offered by our Shul
Functions & Events
From the annual Burns supper, to our Purim Carnival – our Shul has engaging events for the whole family – all year round!
Discover our upcoming events here Rabbi’s Services
The Rabbi’s services are available for Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Funerals and Shivah.
Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs & Weddings
The Rabbi will meet with you to discuss all aspects of your event and will also hold a rehearsal in the Shul prior to the occasion.
Funerals & Shivah
The Rabbi will guide you though the mourning process and explain the procedures involved and the reasons why.
Hall Hire
Interested in hiring a space for your upcoming event?
For full details, pricing and terms, please use our Hall and Synagogue Rental Charges Form Education
Cheder
Note – As most Jewish children of primary school age go to Calderwood Lodge, the local Jewish day school, the Shul no longer runs its own Cheder classes. Arrangements for a private teacher can be made by speaking to the Rabbi.
Adult Education
The Rabbi gives a Shiur after the Shabbat morning service and kiddush. This takes place weekly during the summer and bi-weekly during the winter. On the first Tuesday in every month, the Rabbi leads a discussion group which takes place in a members home. Contact the Rabbi for details. On Thursday mornings after the 2nd Minyan, the Rabbi shares ideas on the week’s Sedra. Young People
Our community’s youth are engaged in our community in regular events like Shabbat UK, Mitzvah Day and more – keep an eye on our events page for more information! Bar / Bat Mitzvah
Our shul can help you prepare for the special day.
Bar/Bat Miztvah lessons can be provided on request, but are private and therefore subject to a charge. The Shul runs a Barmitzvah and Batmitzvah Club which is a programme that includes classes, communal volunteering, Shul attendance and adventure and social activities. Mikveh
The only Mikveh in Glasgow is found at our shul. Open for ladies, men and keilim.
There is a men’s and ladies Mikveh situated in the Shul complex, the only other Mikveh (ladies) in Scotland is in Edinburgh.
The Mikveh is built and managed in accordance with Orthodox Judaism.
Mens Mikveh
Open every morning and all of Erev Shabbat for access please contact Rabbi Rubin on 0141 577 8251.
Fee for use: £4.50
Ladies Mikveh
Open by appointment, preferably 3 days in advance. For access please contact Rebbetzin Rubin on 07932 835337
Fee for use: £25
Shul Membership
Become a member of our shul! Help support Scotland’s largest shul by becoming a member.
If you would like to become a member of Giffnock Shul, contact the office or download our application form here Library
Our shul offers a large selection of religious and secular Jewish books for your perusal.
View our latest book catalogue here
Jewish Life and Religious Services
Rabbi & Rebbetzin Rubin are the heart of our community – providing support across the entire spectrum of our congregation and beyond.
From the Rabbi
At the time that I am writing this article I am feeling very reflective and nostalgic. On the 11 September, the community celebrated 30 years of Rubins at Giffnock Shul. How am I meant to encapsulate 30 years in a 10 minute speech? By the time you read this article my speech will be behind me and either I will be fully satisfied with what I said or regret for not saying more, less or something different, either way it will be over and I wont be able to change or take back what I’ve said.
So it is with Rosh Hashanah every year, as we reflect back on the previous year we can regret or celebrate the past but one thing we can not do is change it, which makes the Torah definition of Rosh Hashanah even stranger – a remembrance of [Israel through] the shofar blast, a holy occasion (Leviticus 23:24). A definition that led the Sages to refer to Rosh Hashanah as Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance.
This Godly remembrance feels depressing to me. If we can not change the past then what chance do we have when on Rosh Hashanah God remembers the past? How are meant to rectify our passed misdeeds, the ones God is considering today in His remembrance? Are we not doomed even before the year begins?
The other problem with this name is that it is contradictory to the popular name Rosh Hashanah, which is all about the future, a new beginning. So is this day about the past or about the future?
Perhaps the day is not about the past or the future, perhaps the day is about pressing the pause button, stopping for a moment and taking stock. We can not change the past but we can overcome our shortcomings and make the future a more meaningful experience.
The new year season, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is a time to reflect on our past deeds, the good ones and not so good ones. The season is about trying to build on those good deeds and, for the not so good deeds, show regret and resolve to avoid in the future.
We can not change the past but we can take the past and use it to inspire us to live a better and a more meaningful future.
May year 5784 be one such year, an inspiring and meaningful year.
From the Rebetzin, myself and all the Rubins we wish you all Shanna Tova, filled with good health, prosperity, Nachat and happiness.
Supporting Jewish life in Glasgow
Our shul is more than just a house of prayer – it is a lively hub of social, cultural, and educational activity that serves the Jewish community of Giffnock, Newton Mearns, and beyond.
From a well-maintained Mikvah – one of only two in Scotland, to comprehensive Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, to our library filled with Jewish texts and resources, our shul is dedicated to serving every aspect of Jewish life.