By
Stephanie Brickman
A small Orthodox Glasgow congregation has sprung up from the defunct Netherlee, Clarkston and Queens Park Synagogue, which ceased operations in the autumn.
The new group has 90 members and has been holding regular Shabbat morning services in the Clarkston shul building. Yitzchok Brodie of the Glasgow Kollel has been providing rabbinic support and it is hoped to extend services to Friday night. A screening of a Jackie Mason film will be its first fundraiser.
Founder members include Laurence Butler, who was life president of Netherlee and Clarkston.
"I had been a member there for 59 years. We had been there for 70 years. We won't be there for another 70 but we still felt there was a place for Clarkston Hebrew Congregation."
Some supporters of the new congregation are unable to walk to the city's other Orthodox shuls.
Mr Butler added that the film screening would "show the rest of Glasgow that Clarkston is alive and kicking. Someone called us the Saturday club, which was nasty. We're not a joke and we should be referred to with respect."