Bromley Reform Synagogue

Bromley Reform Synagogue
Basic information
Location Bromley, London
 United Kingdom
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Status Active
Leadership Rabbi Jason Holtz
Website www.bromleyshul.org.uk/index.php

Bromley Reform Synagogue is a synagogue in the London Borough of Bromley; it serves the areas of south east London and north west Kent including Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Blackheath, Dartford, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

The community was established in 1964 and has been based in its present location for 41 years. The sanctuary has been refurbished in light wood and glass to reflect the Hebrew name of the community, Beit Or, House of Light.

Affiliation and staff

Bromley Reform Synagogue is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Jason Holtz, previously assistant minister at Temple Emanu-El in Tucson, Arizona, was appointed minister in 2013 following the retirement of Rabbi Tony Hammond.[1][2]

Services

Services are held every Shabbat on Friday evening and Saturday morning as well as for all Jewish festivals. Services are egalitarian; men and women sit together and take an equal role in the religious life of the community.

Family services are held regularly through the year and are normal Shabbat services but are shorter (one hour) with lots of participation, less formality, storytelling rather than a haftarah, songs and no sermon.

Most services are led by Rabbi Jason Holtz, using the standard Reform liturgy. There are also other services, mainly on Friday nights, when the format differs, and there is a great deal of opportunity for participation by lay members, many of whom also lead services when the rabbi is absent.

Community

The synagogue has an inclusive approach to Judaism and all sorts of people are involved in the community including born Jews with varying degrees of Jewish knowledge, people considering conversion or actively engaged in study for conversion, mixed-faith families and people who have lost contact with their Judaism and are looking for a way back.[3]

A wide range of events and activities are organised – youth, education, social, religious and local area groups which organise social events in their own neighbourhoods.

There is a social centre for older people with coffee and socialising, board and card games, gentle physical exercises and a discussion on a topical issue followed by lunch and a talk or entertainment.

There are also some special interest groups and the rabbi sometimes gives talks and lecture series.

Education

There is a strong emphasis on families learning together and the synagogue has a cheder (religion school) for children aged 5–14 where they study Hebrew and learn about Judaism. There is also a thriving gan yeladim (kindergarten) on Sunday mornings with activities, food and songs for toddlers and their parents, and facilities for children from birth upwards.

Young people

The community has made funding available for members of its B'nei Mitzvah class to attend Shemesh, the summer camps organised by RSY-Netzer, the Zionist youth movement for Reform Judaism. Young people are also encouraged to participate in Jewish holiday camps and in Europe tours and gap year schemes organised with Israel Experience. They also have the opportunity to join in local youth activities with Maccabi and the Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade, among others, and with RSY-Netzer.

Communications

Bromley Reform Synagogue's website was recognised in the 2009 Board of Deputies Media Awards, when it won the prize for best synagogue website. The community has a weekly e-newsletter e-Light as well as a monthly printed newsletter, Highlight, itself an award-winning publication.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Forman, Cathy (21 October 2013). "Arizona acquisition for Bromley Reform". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Our Rabbi". Bromley Reform Synagogue. 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Member profiles: "Getting to know us"
  4. ↑ "Mazel Tov to Bromley"

External links

Coordinates: 51°24′30″N 0°00′23″E / 51.4084°N 0.0065°E