Fears over the future of historic Brighton shul - The Jewish Chronicle

The acting curator of Brighton’s historic Middle Street Synagogue has voiced “grave concerns” about the condition of the building following damage caused by a leak from a radiator.

In addition, loose debris falling from the top of the Grade II*-listed shul prompted Brighton and Hove Council’s building control surveyor to write to Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation (BHHC), which administers Middle Street, highlighting issues which required urgent attention.

Middle Street has not operated as an active synagogue for around 17 years but has continued to host visiting groups and special activities. Its current closure has prevented involvement in events such as the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Vicky Bhogal, Middle Street’s voluntary events co-ordinator, fundraiser and acting curator, claims the delaying of the necessary work could have serious consequences.

Pre-pandemic, Mrs Bhogal, a property developer, initiated a successful series of fundraisers in the city centre shul, among them a Fiddler on the Roof singalong and an evening focusing on Jews from Arab lands. “Middle Street shul is such an important part of our Jewish heritage, both in Brighton and globally,” she said. “As one of the most beautiful and significant shuls in the UK, it must be completely restored and reopened to the public.

“I have grave concerns about the current condition of the shul. I was contacted by Brighton and Hove building control because pieces of the exterior have been falling off into the street below — and because they had not received a response to their letter [to BHHC]. The interior has also deteriorated considerably since we were last open.”

Before the first lockdown, Mrs Bhogal had worked on plans to restore the shul to its former splendour and had been confident that the funds could be raised for the work and the creation of a permanent Jewish heritage centre.

“I have received significant help and advice from the Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission, the Jewish Museum London, Crowdfunder.org, Brighton Royal Pavilion and Museums, Historic England, local councillors and MPs and the mayor.”

Her concerns about the building’s future were echoed by Winston Pickett of the Sussex branch of the Jewish Historical Society of England.

“Middle Street Synagogue is saturated with significance because of its outstanding architecture and sheer beauty,” he said. “It also happens to be where my wife and I were married. Since moving to Brighton more than 20 years ago, I have come to appreciate its huge role in the story of Brighton and Hove Jewry and the love and esteem in which it is held by Jews and non-Jews alike.

“Preserving this amazing synagogue is therefore essential. It is integral to all redevelopment efforts now under way to showcase our community to the wider world and to ensure its vitality for future generations.”

BHHC chair David Seidel told the JC that a specification for repairs to Middle Street had been prepared and the insurers had issued an invitation to tender to contractors, whose responses were due at the end of the month.

“The anticipated cost of repair, when work is to begin and when works are to be completed will not be known until the tender process is complete.

“For the health and safety of all concerned, no events have been held at Middle Street Synagogue since December 2020 and the timing of future events is subject to the completion of repairs.

“However, Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation will be paying for additional repairs that will be funded, in part, by monies raised via events organised by Vicky Bhogal, for which we remain grateful.”

He pointed out that the Restoration of the Middle Street Synagogue (RoMSS) was “a restricted fund within Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation. All funds raised through RoMSS are only to be spent on repairs to Middle Street.”

Mr Seidel maintained that BHHC “has been in communication with the council and will continue to communicate as required”. But correspondence seen by the JC indicates the frustration of the building control surveyor over the lack of response to requests for information from BHHC about fixing the falling debris at the front of the shul.

Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove heritage commissioner Roger Amerena, joint chair of the city council’s Conservation Advisory Group, has expressed concern about the state of the building and the lack of action to secure its future.

Mr Amerena organised a meeting three years ago, attended by local and national Jewish representatives, recommending at the time that a separate trust should be established to attract funds for the synagogue’s restoration from bodies such as the World Heritage Fund.

“Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission regrets that there has been no decision or action made regarding the sustainable future of the synagogue,” he said. “The synagogue is running into further disrepair as a result of the water ingress, the crumbling of the front corners and general erosion on the western facade facing the street. This building is a national asset, one of the most spectacular synagogues in Europe. It has to be saved.”