The orthodox Jewish community in Dublin has voted to sell its synagogue on Adelaide road and amalgamate with Terenure. The decision was taken this morning at a meeting attended by more than a hundred members of the congregation. The president of the Dublin Hebrew congregation, Mark Simmons, said it was an almost unanimous vote.
Adelaide synagogue is more than one hundred years old and is only one of two orthodox places of worship in the capital. It was built in 1892 but expanded in the 1920's to accommodate 600 people in a two-tier structure. However, numbers attending Saturday worship have declined and attendance now usually stands between 40 and 50. The former President of Israel, Chaim Herzog, celebrated his barmitsva in the historic site.
It is expected the Adelaide Road synagogue will be sold by the end of June and the money raised will be used to improve the synagogue in Terenure. The Orthodox Jewish community in Ireland now stands at around 1,200 from a high of 5,000 just following World War Two. It is hoped that by expanding the remaining synagogue to include a community centre and library, Terenure can rejuvenate the Orthodox community in Dublin.
