Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue has begun a consultation over a proposed multi-million pound redevelopment of its main site and the possibility of hiving off its popular Southside minyan to become a separate congregation.

Members have been invited to submit their views and attend a meeting on Monday fortnight to discuss the future of the community.

With 2,500 adults and 1,300 children, BES is the largest United Synagogue congregation and its membership includes new US chief executive, Jo Grose.

Hertfordshire has been a rapidly growing Jewish population centre. The number of Jews in the borough of Hertsmere — now at 18,346 according to the last Census — has risen by more than 70 per cent over the past 20 years.

In a recent letter to members, the synagogue’s honorary officers said a small team had been considering plans to redevelop its main Croxdale Road site into a synagogue and “multi-purpose community centre to provide for the needs of all our community with a better environment for services, events and programming”. It would ensure “the perfect venue for the whole community”.

Also on the table is the future of the Southside minyan, which started 15 years ago and for several years has been holding services at Yavneh College.

The officers reported feedback, particularly from those “who live far from our Croxdale Road site”, expressing an “appetite to explore whether the minyan at Yavneh might become a new independent United Synagogue community in its own right, while, of course, retaining strong links to BES through programming and events.”

Borehamwood and Elstree chair Sam Franklin said this week: “This is an incredibly exciting next step in the evolution of Borehamwood and Elstree’s Jewish community.

“As these conversations continue, we’re inviting our members to be part of the consultation, to ask questions and to share their ideas with us, both on the redevelopment of Croxdale and the development of the community.”

Ben Vos, head of community development at the US, said it was “excited to support the leadership and members of Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue as they begin this consultation.

“Strong rabbinic and lay leadership over many years and the demographic growth in the area have brought this opportunity to discuss how the community might next develop.

“We will support them every step of the way with both the redevelopment of Croxdale Road and the upcoming conversations.”