Maidenhead Synagogue

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Maidenhead Synagogue
Maidenhead Synagogue.jpg
Interior of the synagogue library, in 2004
Religion
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Synagogue
LeadershipRabbi René Pfertzel [1]
StatusActive
Location
LocationGrenfell Lodge, Ray Park Road, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England SL6 8QX
CountryUnited Kingdom
England south location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of the synagogue in southern England
Geographic coordinates 51°31′34″N0°42′26″W / 51.526111°N 0.70735°W / 51.526111; -0.70735
Architecture
Date established1953 (as a congregation)
Completed
  • 1953 (Boyn Hill)
  • 2001 (Ray Park)
Website
maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk

The Maidenhead Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at Grenfell Lodge, Ray Park Road, in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, in the United Kingdom. It serves Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding districts west of London in the Thames Valley area. [2]

Contents

History

Maidenhead Synagogue originated during World War II when many Jewish families were evacuated to the area from London. [3] 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. [2]

The synagogue became part of the Reform Movement in 1960, [4] 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 [2] and contunued in the role until 2024. [1] The synagogue moved to larger premises in 2001 [2] and the congregation had 1831 members in 2017. [5] An extension to the synagogue, including a new community centre, was opened in 2017.

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. [2] [6]

For members unable to travel to the synagogue, Shabbat evening and Shabbat morning services are streamed live via the internet. [2]

All members receive by post the synagogue's monthly community magazine, Hadashot (חדשות). [7]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Rabbi René Pfertzel inducted by Maidenhead Synagogue". Movement for Reform Judaism . 20 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Welcome to Maidenhead Synagogue". Maidenhead Synagogue. Retrieved 3 April 2024.[ self-published source? ]
  3. "Maidenhead Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  4. "The town on the front line of the battle for survival". The Jewish Chronicle . 24 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  5. "Maidenhead Synagogue in The Times". Movement for Reform Judaism. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  6. "Synagogue Directory". Movement for Reform Judaism. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  7. "Hadashot". Maidenhead Synagogue. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.[ self-published source? ]