Herts Reform and Liberals announce plans for merged Progressive community

Rabbi Gershon Silins (Photo: Yoav Nir/Avinary Productions)[Missing Credit]

At the meeting, they found they had “a shared vision of a synagogue that has much of the character of a Jewish community centre as well as a spiritual centre,” they said.

“We all saw the need for community providing not just inspiring and engaging religious services and learning opportunities, but also Jewish culture in its myriad forms, as well as social space; indeed a Progressive Jewish home for the large population of Jews of all ages in the area, from pre-schoolers to senior members.

“We saw in each other a partner for creating a stronger community than either could hope to do on its own. It is this understanding that underlies the excitement felt by all of us in the meeting.

“The details are yet to be decided, but the vision is clear – a new Progressive Jewish community, which will become a centre for Jewish life for everyone in Hertfordshire.”

The announcement was made by Radlett’s Senior Rabbi, Paul Freedman, Rabbis David Yehuda-Stern and Elisheva Salamo and chair Spencer Grant; and Rabbis Gershon Silins and Anna Wolfson of The Liberal Synagogue Elstree (TLES) along with its chair, Leigh Renak.