History

The Birmingham Jewish Ashkenazi Orthodox community was established in a private house on Belgrave Road in 1883. It moved to Wrottesley Street in 1900 and then to Bristol Street in 1928, taking over a former Methodist Hall. In 1961, a small group of dedicated, hard-working individuals acquired a large plot in Edgbaston and built a 700-seater Synagogue and large community function hall.

In February 2013, after several years of planning, redevelopment work started to completely refurbish the old community hall and turn it into a modern, fit-for-purpose Shul, function hall, kitchen, classrooms and community lounge. In August 2013, just before Rosh Hashanah, we moved into the new complex – Birmingham Central Synagogue and Community Centre.

An active community

Whilst the formal services are a perfect mix of traditional yet modern practice, Birmingham Central is much more than just a place for Jewish people to pray. The membership spans a wide range of ages and aims to cater for them all.

Learning sessions for various ages and abilities are offered, including Shiurim on Gemarah, Chumash Rashi and Nach talks on topical subjects, and, of course, a short daily dose of Halachah (law) at the end of all services.

Birmingham Central is a beacon of modern orthodoxy in the West Midlands and welcomes people of all levels of observance to a warm, friendly and hospitable community.