Members from three different branches of Judaism attended a special delayed service to formally induct Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Rabbi Anna Wolfson at the Mosaic Jewish Community.

Rabbi Benjamin, who has served as rabbi of Mosaic Liberal Synagogue since the beginning of the pandemic and oversaw the congregation’s move from Harrow, said: “Our double induction was so very special and warm. A large number of members of all three communities, Liberal, Reform, and Masorti, attended to officially welcome and congratulate us.”

The ground-breaking Stanmore Hill building, which opened in October last year has movable partitions so the space inside can be freely reconfigured as they need it.

“Anything the three communities can do together, we do, and we’ve all gained by moving into the building.

“There are always loads of activities going on and the place is really buzzing,” Rabbi Benjamin said.

Shared activities include a weekly friendship club, which provides social interaction, entertainment, food, and exercise; a games night twice a month; a crochet club; a monthly “Music for memory” event aimed at those with dementia and memory problems; and regular lunches.

There are also plans to collaborate on Jewish education in the future, and to hold “adult bar and bat mitzvahs” for members who either never had one or “didn’t quite enjoy it the first time around”.

Twenty months ago, Rabbi Wolfson was appointed development rabbi of Mosaic Liberal and Mosaic Jewish Community to “coordinate the aims of the three Mosaic communities”, and to explore areas where there is potential for growth and increasing the membership base.

She has worked with the 20 to 40 age group especially. Membership of all the communities have increased.

“Mosaic Jewish Community has shown that its possible for different communities, in this case Liberal, Reform, and Masorti, to thrive together all under one roof,” Rabbi Benjamin said.

“That is the way to go in strengthening our overall community; to collaborate and better come to know each other.”

Although the Mosaic building has been in use for nearly a year, the official opening will be held in 2024.