CAMBRIDGE JEWISH
RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Registered
Charity
No 1187648
Contact us: admin@cambridgejewishresidents.org
Welcome
to
the Cambridge Jewish Residents Association website
Jews have lived in Cambridge from as early as the
13th century. The population disappeared
on the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290, but
scholars and students returned to work and study at the
University from the mid 1650s when Oliver Cromwell allowed
Jews to return to England. During the Second World War, many
Jews came to Cambridge as evacuees from London or as refugees
from Nazi Europe, and the need arose for Jewish burial in
Cambridge. The Cambridge Jewish Residents Association (CJRA)
came into being in 1940 in order to provide this service and
to cater for the religious and secular needs of the whole
Jewish community. With the establishment of Beth Shalom Reform
Synagogue (BSRS) and the Cambridge Traditional Jewish
Congregation (CTJC) in the early 1980s, the CJRA has assumed a
role as an umbrella organization with less emphasis on
religious activities.
The CJRA welcomes all Jews who
live in or near Cambridge, irrespective of their Jewish
religious affiliation. It promotes religious, cultural,
educational, social activities and administers the Chevrah
Kadishah (Burial Society). The CJRA also aims to provide
a network of welfare and support for the entire local Jewish
community. Non-Jewish partners are welcome to join in all
activities and attend religious services, but they cannot
become full members of the CJRA.
The CJRA is a representative
body for Jews in Cambridge. It provides links with other
Jewish communities and groups, and has national affiliations
with the Board of Deputies of British Jews. It is a
member of the Cambridge Ethnic Forum and the East of England
Faiths Communities.
Religious Services
All CJRA members have the right
to attend religious services held in the Synagogue (The Jewish
Students Centre) Thompsons Lane where the services at present
are orthodox. The synagogue is owned by the Cambridge
University Jewish Students (CUJS) to whom the CJRA gives
financial assistance. In the vacations, the services are
organised by the Cambridge Traditional Jewish
Congregation.
The CJRA has on long term loan
from Westminster Synagogue one of the Czech Memorial Scrolls
(from Pardubice, circa 1850). It is presently used by Beth
Shalom Reform Synagogue, Auckland Road, Cambridge CB5
8DW.
For information on
traditional synagogue services
contact: Cambridge Traditional Jewish
Congregation.
For information about Reform services organised
by Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue
(BSRS) contact:
info@beth-shalom.org.uk
Cultural,
Educational and Social Programme
CJRA supports a wide range of
cultural, educational and social events and activities in
Cambridge.
We have a regular varied
programme of evening talks that take place on Wednesday
evenings in term time.
Childrens
Education is catered for by the following
BSRS: http://www.beth-shalom.org.uk
CTJC: http://www.CTJC.org.uk
Chabad: e-mail: info@cuchabad.org
Welfare
The CJRA provides for the
welfare needs of the community, especially, the elderly.
The Cambridge Jewish Cultural
Association (CJCA) arranges monthly meetings on a Monday
afternoon in which a variety of programmes are provided. These
include talks, debates, festival celebrations and an outing
during the summer months.
The CJRA together with BSRS and
CTJC with the assistance of Jewish Care founded, in 1997, the
Cambridge Jewish Community Support (CJCS) to provide for more
individual needs for those living in the Cambridge area
regardless of any synagogue affiliation. The CJCS also
coordinates hospital visiting and prayers.
Publication
The CJRA sends free to all
members a regular magazine, which contains details of all
religious services (Traditional/Orthodox services are
currently held at Thompsons Lane Synagogue and Reform services
at Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue), clubs, events, activities
and community news of all the groups in Cambridge, as well as
articles.
Burial Society
Membership of the CJRA provides
the right to burial in the Cambridge Burial Grounds belonging
to our Chevra Kadisha (Burial Society). This is in
the Jewish section of the City of Cambridge Cemetery in
Newmarket Road and the new Cemetery at Dry Drayton. The
burial service is conducted according to Orthodox rites.
Please note that membership does not include the cost of the
burial.
Data
Protection Policy - click here
Constitution - to download pdf click here
Other Jewish Links
Cambridge Jewish community life
is served by many interest groups, charities and clubs
including the following.
BTS - British Technion
Society
Hosts various events to
collects funds to support the Technion in Israel.
Woolf Institute
Studies relations among Jews,
Christians and Muslims.
CMHS
-
Centre for Modern Hebrew Studies
A department of Cambridge
University which welcomes residents to lectures by visiting
lecturers, Hebrew classes and the Israeli film club.
MDA - Magen David Adom
This fund raising/social
organization holds an annual garden party, musical and other
events for the emergency medical organization of Israel.
Cambridge University
Jewish Society
The Jewish Students Organization.
Cambridge University Chabad
Society
Caters for all Jewish Students.