This past Shabbat, 300 members of the community of Birmingham, England met in the Jospeh Cohen hall to celebrate the rededication of the 159 year old Singers Hill Synagogue. Careful restoration of the shul revealed its exquisite marble and mosaic flooring, originally installed in 1856.

Parliamentary dignitaries, the Lord Mayor and Lord Mayoress and the chief Rabbi of England, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis attended along with many other notables. Rabbi Mirvis acknowledged the tireless work of Chabad shluchim, Rabbi Yossi and Rochel Jacobs, over the past 10 years, reflected in this monumental event. Singers Hill, said the rabbi, “is one of the most important Jewish buildings in the United Kingdom.”

Originally built in 1856 to unite two smaller communities within Birmingham, the historic Synagogue continues to serve the community with a host of educational and social programs.

“The Shabbat was infused with a feeling of great pride – pride at the history of our great Shul, pride in being there as part of its present – and pride in the knowledge that Singers Hill has a distinguished future ahead under the leadership of our dedicated Rabbi and Rebbetzin,” one participant said.

“We knew we were witnessing an historic moment in the life of Singers Hill, as she once again reclaimed her rightful place as one of the UK’s most important Synagogues.”