The new rabbi of Glasgow’s Newton Mearns Synagogue wants to re-engage with the younger community and encourage people to come back to shul.

Rabbi Eli Wolfson, 32, who previously served as the city’s youth and community rabbi, pledged to bolster the synagogue’s Jewish social and educational framework in the hope of stemming the drift of the young generation to London or Manchester.

“We want to try to make the shul into a family shul and to increase the attendance on Shabbat morning and Friday night,” he explained.

“We have to show how Judaism is relevant and exciting and to engage members of the community who at the moment are not involved through social and educational programmes, whether it’s fun social evenings or shiurim.”
Rabbi Wolfson and his wife Elisheva have already been organising informal discussions and learning at the homes of members.

“We are very excited to work with this wonderful community and build it to be the best it can be,” the rabbi added.

Newton Mearns is Glasgow’s second largest synagogue with around 425 members.