‘New beginning’ as Glasgow shul merger recognised in Commons motion

The closure of one of Glasgow’s most famous synagogues Newton Mearns and the “new beginning” when it merges with the nearby Giifnock shul has been recognised in a parliamentary motion.

Kirsten Oswald, the Scottish Nationalist Party MP for East Renfrewshire, has tabled an early day motion (EDM) noting that a farewell service for Newton Mearns shul was held on Sunday, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in attendance.

The motion praises “those who hard work and dedication has been instrumental to the work of this synagogue over the years” and recognises “there will be fondly held memories as farewells are said.”

The EDM then notes:”While the farewell service will represent the closing of one chapter, it heralds a new beginning too” with the merger of the two shuls.

Designed to allow MPs to publicise a cause or support a position, the EDM “wishes the congregations of Newton Mearns Synagogue” and the “newly formed” Giffnock Newton Mearns shul “well for the future playing a key role at the heart of the East Renfrewshire community.”

Glasgow’s Jewish community has been in decline for many years, and plans for the two shuls to merge had been discussed back in 2011.

In March 2021, members of Giffnock and Newton Mearns – just over two miles apart – voted overwhelmingly to merge, forming the Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue (GNMS) with about 850 members, to be based at the Giffnock site on Fenwick Road.