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Chesed El Synagogue

Chesed (Chased)-El Synagogue, located at Oxley Rise, is the second synagogue built in Singapore. It has a total seating capacity of 370. The name "Chesed-El" encapsulates the various attributes of the Hebrew God: of loving kindness, righteousness and mercy.

History
Reuben Manasseh Meyer, a poor Jewish immigrant who gained wealth in Asia as a trader, had purchased extensive land in Singapore. In the early 1900s, it was noted that the Jewish community had grown too large for the first synagogue, the Maghain Aboth. Some have suggested however, that it was dissension over the order of service and specific rituals that led to a separate synagogue being built. Infact, Manasseh was conducting separate services himself after reported arguments over the form of worship. These services were originally held at Manasseh's private property around the Prinsep Street area. In 1905, the Manassehs commissioned Swan & Maclaren to build a private Synagogue in Oxley Rise opposite Killiney House, which was renamed the Belle Vue and made into the family home. The Chesed-El Synagogue and the Reuben Manasseh Communal Hall were built as private structures for the worship and communal gatherings for the Manasseh family.

Description
The synagogue is designed in Palladian style, following Coleman's simple architectural style. The purity of the plastered white walls is repeated in the white marble flooring. Its asymmetrical entrance had a carriage porch. A cantilevered platform above the entrance to the hall was specially set aside for the Meyer ladies. Founder Reuben Manasseh Meyer had a special chair in an alcove near the Ahel ("Ark Room") around which his family would sit. His residence, Belle Vue was only a short distance away. Rails lining the gallery deck for the women worshippers are designed with the initals "M-M", for Manasseh Meyer.

To ensure that daily formal prayers could be carried out, Manasseh paid 10 impoverished men to form the mandatory minyan. Prayers were conducted in  the mornings and evenings with members of the Meyer family attending them.

Chesed El Synagogue, 2 Oxley Rise, Singapore 238693.
Completed: 1905. 
Architect: Regent Alfred John Bidwell, Swan & Maclaren.



Author
Bonny Tan



References
Edwards, N., & Keys, P. (1988). Singapore: A guide to buildings, streets, places (p. 233). Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: RSING 915.957 EDW)

Nathan, E. (1986). The history of Jews in Singapore, 1830-1945 (pp. 33-41). Singapore: Herbilu Editorial & Marketing Services.
(Call no.: RSING 301.45192405957 NAT)

Chesed El Synagogue. (1994, March). The Shalom Singapore, 4, 4.


Further Readings
Makepeace, W., Brooke, G. E., & Braddell, R. St. J. (Eds.). (1991). One hundred years of Singapore (Vol. 2, pp. 274-275). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 ONE) 

The information in this article is valid as at 1999 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Building Types>>Religious Buildings
Ethnic Communities>>Customs and Traditions
Synagogues--Singapore
Jews--Singapore
Arts>>Architecture>>Religious buildings
People and communities>>Social groups and communities

Librarian Recommendations
>> Maghain Aboth Synagogue
>> Jewish Community


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