Maidenhead Synagogue
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2018) |
| Maidenhead Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 Part of the library at Maidenhead Synagogue | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Leadership | Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Maidenhead, Berkshire, England |
  Maidenhead Synagogue shown within southern England | |
| Geographic coordinates | 51°31′34″N 0°42′26″W / 51.526111°N 0.70735°W |
| Website | |
| https://www.maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk/ | |
Maidenhead Synagogue is a Reform synagogue based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It serves Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding districts west of London in the Thames Valley area.[1]
History[edit]
Maidenhead Synagogue originated during World War II when many Jewish families were evacuated to the area from London.[2] 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,[3] so receiving the services of student rabbis of the Leo Baeck College, among them Jonathan Romain who was appointed as the synagogue's first full-time rabbi in 1980.[1] The synagogue moved to larger premises in 2001[1] and the congregation has grown to 1831 members.[4] An extension to the synagogue, including a new community centre, was opened in 2017.
Facilities[edit]
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][5]
For members unable to travel to the synagogue, Shabbat evening and Shabbat morning services are streamed live via the Internet.[1]
All members receive by post the synagogue's monthly community magazine, Hadashot (חדשות).[6]
See also[edit]
- List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
- List of former synagogues in the United Kingdom
- Movement for Reform Judaism
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Welcome to Maidenhead Synagogue". Maidenhead Synagogue. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Maidenhead Synagogue". JCR-UK. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "The town on the front line of the battle for survival | the Jewish Chronicle". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Maidenhead Synagogue in The Times". Movement for Reform Judaism. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Synagogue Directory". Movement for Reform Judaism. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Hadashot". Maidenhead Synagogue. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Maidenhead Synagogue on Jewish Communities and Records – UK (hosted by JewishGen)
- The Movement for Reform Judaism
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