Shul History Project
At work archiving!
This is just a short update on our Shul history project, which is intended to produce a short history of our congregation to coincide with our 150th anniversary, which will be in 2007-8.
Rabbi Silverman, historians Bill Williams and Daniel Langton, and Shul members John Moscrop, Pam Kirk and myself, have started by collecting together the Shul’s records, so that they can be studied. The bulk of the archives have now been lodged for safe-keeping at the Manchester Central Library, so that they are preserved for posterity and are then available for other historians to consult. Personal information has been deposited under conditions of confidentiality.
However, the records are not complete. Apart from the fact that very few records survived the destruction of Park Place, we are missing some more recent records. There is a short list at the end of this article – if you are able to fill any gaps, that would be very much appreciated. We are also interested in collecting (or copying) any photos or other memorabilia which people may have – both of notable occasions, but also of regular activities of times past.
We are also undertaking an oral history aspect to our project – interviews with some of those who have been long-time members and / or have been heavily involved with the Shul over the years. The first step is to give some training to those who have volunteered to conduct interviews; then they will be contacting people for interviews. The typical interview is expected to last about 4 hours, probably conducted in 2 one hour sessions. We hope that it will not be onerous, and hope that if you are approached, you will be able to spare some time for this project. The intention is to have interviews transcribed, used as a resource for the history project, and then archived both at Shul, at the Centre for Jewish Studies, and at the Jewish Museum. Copies of transcripts can also be made for interviewees, family members, interviewers and / or sponsors, so anyone who is able to contribute will be able to retain a record. We have now started with a number of really interesting interviews - please do get in touch if you would like to know more, or are interested in helping.
The group will keep everyone posted, appreciate all the interest which has been expressed so far, and express our gratitude in advance for all those who are able to be involved in any capacity in the oral history part of the project, or who can provide any form of memorabilia.
David Hoffman
The main gaps in the records are:
Annual Reports: missing: any pre-1962
Exec minutes: missing any from 1964, any Oct- Dec 1975
Council Minutes: missing 1988 - 1994
Shul magazines ‘Comment’ and ‘Grapevine’: missing 1964, 1-4; 1965 Vol 1, no 8; 1966, vol 2 no 1; 1967 vol 3, nos 1, 2, 4, 6; 1968, vol 4, nos 1, 3; 1969 vol 5, nos 3, 6; 1970, vol 6, no 3; 1971, vol 7, anything pre May; anything 1973 or 1974 (pre-Dec). There are also some more gaps from 1995-1999 in the Shul's set.