Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue

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Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue
Religion
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue
LeadershipRabbi Jordan Helfman
StatusActive
Location
LocationOaks Lane, Newbury Park Ilford, Borough of Redbridge, London, England
CountryUnited Kingdom
Greater London UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of the synagogue in Greater London
Geographic coordinates 51°34′37″N0°5′41″E / 51.57694°N 0.09472°E / 51.57694; 0.09472
Architecture
Date established1956 (as a congregation)
Completed1966
Website
swesrs.org.uk

Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue on Oaks Lane, Newbury Park in Ilford, in the Borough of Redbridge, London, England. The congregation is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

Contents

History

The forebears of the congregation date from c. 1919 when the Oxford & St George's Settlement Synagogue was established in Stepney. [1] This congregation subsequently changed its name to St. George's Settlement Synagogue and then later to Settlement Synagogue. It was the only congregation that was concurrently affiliated with both the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism. [2]

Founded in 1956 as S.W. Essex Synagogue, the congregation changed its name in c. 1966 to the South-West Essex Reform Synagogue (also known as SWERS), and later spelled as South West Essex Reform Synagogue. In 1997, the congregation merged with the Settlement Synagogue to form the South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. In September 2023, the merged congregation adopted its current name [1] (although the change of name is to be a working name and not a formal change of the synagogue’s name). [3]

A tag line of "Honouring our Past, Building our Future" was also adopted. [3]

Clergy

The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation: [1]

OrdinalOfficeholderTerm startTerm endTime in officeNotes
1Alan W. Millerc. 1958c. 19612–3 years
2Dow Marmurc. 1963c. 19695–6 years
3Nicholas Ginsburyc. 1970c. 19732–3 years
4Henry Goldsteinc. 1973200127–28 yearsAll subsequently Emeritus
5Lawrence Rigál1997c. 20068–9 years
6Maurice Arnold Michaelsc. 2000c. 201110–11 years
−Stephen Howard201120120–1 yearsInterim rabbi
7 Nancy Morris 201220141–2 years [4]
−Dr. Jackie Tabick201520160–1 yearsInterim rabbi
8Lisa Barrett2016May 20214–5 years [5] [6]
9Jordan HelfmanJanuary 2022incumbent3 years, 98 daysFormerly of Holy Blossom Temple, [7]

Additionally, the congregation has been served by the following, as associate rabbis, Rabbi G.C. Goldberg (c. 1978–c. 1980); Rabbi Howard Cooper (c. 1980–c. 1982); Rabbi Michael Pertz (c. 2004–c. 2011); and Rabbi Lev Taylor (since July 2022). [1] [8] Lev Taylor vacated his position with effect from 10 July 2024. [9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Settlement Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 "A name change for SWESRS!". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "South West Essex and Settlement Reform appoints Rabbi Nancy Morris". The Jewish Chronicle . 5 July 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Rocker, Simon (3 August 2018). "Cash-strapped Essex shul finds funds to save rabbi's full-time role". The Jewish Chronicle . Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  6. ↑ "Rabbi Lisa's Farewell Service". South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Home page". Holy Blossom Temple. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "A New Rabbi for SWESRS" (PDF). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "A Letter from Lester Allen, Chair of Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue". 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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