In November 1998, a group of young, like-minded Baalei Batim formed a committee who wished to create an Ashkenaz Minyan which enhaced their Tefillos. Their aim was to create an atmosphere which was in keeping with the Halochos of Tefillah in a warm and friendly environment.

Reb Berel Cohen Shlita, renowned for his expert guidance, wisdom, leadership and warmth graciously agreed to head the Kehilloh, and shortly thereafter, on Shabbos morning of Parshas Toldos, the first minyan was held, in the hall of Broughton Jewish Primary School on Legh Road.

The first minyan had 18 attendees and before long services were extended to include Mincha and Kabolos Shabbos on Friday Night.

In January 2000, the Shul was approached by the Hamburger family, impressed by the Shul’s successful formula and growth, with the offer of a gift of a Sefer Torah in honour  of Sir Sidney and Lady Hamburger OBE.

On 28th May 2000 (23rd Iyar T.SH”Samach”) a most memorable Hachnosas Sefer Torah procession, involving hundreds of people from the local community, accompanied the Sefer Torah from the Hamburger’s home to the Shul Beis Hamedrash, followed by a celebratory dinner.

The Kelliha B'H continued to enjoy rapid growth, attracting a wide spectrum of mispallelim, all drawn to the Rov’s warmth and guidance and the Shul’s welcoming and friendly atmosphere. A change of venue was needed, and in December 2003 the Shul moved to premises in the Beis Mencachem library on Upper Park Road.  With the new location, the Shul’s growth continued at an unprecedented rate, and quickly outgrew the library, and was relocated to, what was then, the spacious Beis Menachem function suite.

Boruch Hashem the Shul now had facilties to offer a full range of minyonim to meet ever growing demands from the Kehiloh, and full weekday services began.

On 29th November 2003 (5 Kislev T.SH.Samach Daled) Ohr Yerushalayim held a Melaveh Malkah celebrating the Shul’s 5th Anniversary.

The Shul enjoys a host of regular Shiurim the highlight being the Rov’s Shabbos morning droshoh after davenning, on the Parshah, filled with warm words of Chizuk

Last year saw Ohr Yerushalayim’s very first Yarchei Kalloh programme over the New Year Bank Holiday, with a large number of the Kehillah, and beoyond coming together to learn with Chavrusahs, and to hear a host of renowned local speakers. 

This year the Shul has joined the unique Ovos uBonim programme in the winter after Shabbos goes out, with currently over 50 participants joining together to learn.  The Shul also pioneedered Manchster’s first ever Erev Shabos Ovos uBonim which runs through the summer before Mincha Friday night.

Every Shabbos Mevorchin, (and at other times when requested)  the Shul holds a  Kiddush after davening which has become one of the highlights of the Kehillah’s activities, where mispallelim have the opportunity to mingle and socialise.

The Shul enjoys the support of the mispallelim who take a very hands on approach in the day to day running, with the warm community spirit always extremely evident, whether it be the  setting up of a Shabbos morning Kiddush, or tidying the Seforim away after Tephillos.

This atmosphere together with the Rov’s wonderful guidance combines to make Ohr Yerushalayim the vibrant enegrgtic Kehillah it is today, with ongoing growth assured for a long time to come IYH.