Community
Shenley congregation has a permanent home at last
'It has taken 20 years to achieve our goal - a journey with many highs and lows'
December 13, 2019 15:12
'It has taken 20 years to achieve our goal - a journey with many highs and lows'
December 13, 2019 15:12Twenty years ago, a few enthusiastic Shenley residents started knocking on any doors with a mezuzah they spotted in the locality with the aim of establishing a community.
Now at long last, the United Synagogue congregation has celebrated the dedication of a permanent building by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
The shul has been constructed in what was a storage area at the rear of the Old Chapel, a building owned by the Shenley Park Trust which the congregation has used for services for the past few years.
Following an 18-month conversion programme, the shul has its own entrance, as well as kitchens, cloakrooms and a classroom.
With the flexible design — and the co-operation of the trust — it can seat up to 300 people for Yomtovim and simchahs.
The £80,000 cost has been largely funded by a major legacy, plus a substantial donation from a local charitable trust. The congregation — whose membership currently stands at around 200 families — raised the money to furnish the interior with a new ark, bimah, chairs, a mechitzah and other requisites.
Shenley’s first chairman William Susman opened the ceremony by recounting “a journey with many highs and many lows”. Though there had clearly been an appetite from the outset for a local shul, “it has taken 20 years to achieve our goal of having our own permanent synagogue”.
He thanked the rabbis who had helped its development, paying particular tribute to the current ministerial couple, Rabbi Alan and Tanya Garber, who were appointed in 2013.
There was also special mention for Rabbi Shmueli Kass, who served Shenley as minister for four years before his death from cancer in 2007 at the age of 30. The shul’s kiddush room will be dedicated in his memory.
Rabbi Mirvis said Shenley was one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most inspirational communities.
“In this building, you have created a beautiful and wonderful new home,” he added. “I hope that the seeds that you have already sown will continue to bear amazing fruit.”
Guests included the Mayor of Hertsmere, Rabbi Alan Plancey, and Oliver Dowden, who was defending the Hertsmere constituency for the Tories in the general election.
Mr Dowden said he had taken a break from campaigning to fulfil his promise to share in “such a joyous occasion”.
At the conclusion, a presentation was made to Shenley Park Trust director Glyn Dredge acknowledging his enormous contribution towards the synagogue project.
