The Movement for Reform Judaism

Rabbi Zalud (75), who was one of the first associate rabbis at Manchester Reform Synagogue in
Jackson’s Row in the 1960s, has divided his time between Liverpool and Sha’arei Shalom Synagogue since joining the North Manchester community seven years ago. He has also worked with Blackpool Reform as ‘foster rabbi’ for the last 40 years. He teaches special needs children at Delemere Forest School, is prison chaplain for all faiths in eleven prisons in the North West of England and Jewish chaplain to Southport & District Hospital. In his ‘spare time’ Rabbi Zalud enjoys weight training, swimming and jogging. He has met the Queen on three occasions!

Rabbi Zalud trained as a Cantor at Guildhall School of Music and then at Jews College where he received a minister’s qualification before going to Leo Baeck College. Forced to leave during a period when his son died tragically and his wife became ill, Rabbi Zalud returned to his ministry at Southport Reform Synagogue and, when he took up his position in Liverpool, he eventually completed the rabbinic course and received semikah in 1993.

A farewell dinner was held in his honour on 14th October. Rabbi Zalud commented: “31 years is a long time and I have made many friends at Liverpool Reform. I like to feel I have created a great congregation with a splendid reputation. As Emeritus Rabbi I am concerned that the quality that I created continues and I am anxious that, now they are without rabbinic leadership and relying on lay support and excellent support from Leo Baeck College student rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich, they rally together. This is especially important since the Liverpool Jewish community is, sadly, declining at an enormous rate. Whereas I now face a huge and joyous challenge in creating yet another great congregation at Sha’arei Shalom, I still have fond memories of the friends I made during my sojourn with Liverpool.”

Liverpool Reform Synagogue Chair, Roy Noon said: “It is almost impossible to assess the difference Rabbi Norman has made to Jewish communities across the whole of the North West following a lifetime’s dedication in leadership and support, reaching across the generations. For thirty years Norman has, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, led his community here and it is in recognition of his many accomplishments that we are honoured to confer on him the title of Rabbi Emeritus. With his continued friendship, our student rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich will be able to call upon Norman’s immeasurable experience and we are confident that we can continue to build upon the sterling work Norman has achieved in Liverpool.”

David Jacobs, Director of Synagogue Support for the Movement for Reform Judaism added: “Norman has seen his rabbinate as a vocation being available 24/7 to all his congregants. We will not see his sort again! The Reform Movement wishes him well in his retirement from Liverpool Reform Synagogue.”

For further details, please contact:
Andrea Newman, Public Relations
The Movement for Reform Judaism

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