Maidenhead Synagogue
| Maidenhead Synagogue | |
|---|---|
  Maidenhead Synagogue shown within southern England | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Maidenhead, Berkshire, England |
| Geographic coordinates | 51°31′34″N 0°42′22″W / 51.526°N 0.706°WCoordinates: 51°31′34″N 0°42′22″W / 51.526°N 0.706°W |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Status | Active |
| Leadership | Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE |
| Website | http://maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk |
Maidenhead Synagogue is a Reform synagogue based in Maidenhead, England, serving Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding districts west of London in the Thames Valley area.[1]
History
Maidenhead Synagogue originated during World War II when many Jewish families were evacuated to the area from London. It was initially a community with no dedicated building, meeting for prayer in private houses and served by a volunteer rabbi and lay readers. At the war's end, some of the congregation stayed in the area and established a permanent Jewish community, acquiring a house for use as a dedicated synagogue building in 1953.[1]
The synagogue became part of the Reform Movement in 1960,[2] so receiving the services of student rabbis of the Leo Baeck College, among them being Jonathan Romain who was appointed as the synagogue's first full-time rabbi in 1980.[1] Since then, the synagogue moved to larger premises in 2001[1] and the congregation has grown to 800 families.[2][3]
Facilities
In addition to being a centre for worship, the synagogue's facilities include a library, a Judaica and kosher shop, a nursery school, a religion school, youth clubs, adult education classes, conversion classes, social activities for adults and children, a café, and a community care scheme.[1][4]
For members unable to travel to the synagogue, Shabbat morning services are streamed live via the Internet.[1]
All members receive by post a printed monthly community magazine named Hadashot (חדשות).[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/118781/the-town-front-line-battle-survival
- ↑ http://www.thejc.com/community/community-life/38230/maidenhead-feels-home-tapestry
- ↑ http://synagogues.reformjudaism.org.uk/details/maidenhead-synagogue.html
- ↑ http://www.maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=25&Itemid=55
See also
- List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
- List of synagogues in the United Kingdom
- Movement for Reform Judaism
External links
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