Leadership of the small community in Worthing is to be taken over by the Sussex Jewish Outreach Group, established this year to support Jews in areas where there is no synagogue.

The move follows discussions with Ian and Barbara Gordon, who have organised activities for Worthing Jews for the past 15 years.

Outreach group chair Nick Beck wants to expand participation by involving those in neighbouring Chichester, Arundel, Bognor and Littlehampton under the banner of the West Sussex Jewish Community.

Mr Beck said that although the last Census showed at least 850 Jews living in the area, locating them was difficult. He hoped the enlarged community would bring more in.

The outreach group organised a Pesach service in Chichester and will hold a Chanucah party in West Worthing.

“We welcome Jews of any denomination or none, plus any non-Jewish partners and children,” Mr Beck added. “SJOG will also be looking to develop similar services in east and north Sussex.”

Through its Sussex Jewish Learning spin-off, the outreach group also offers schools an edition of the Board of Deputies’ Jewish Living Experience exhibition.

“We have three trustees and an admin manager,” Mr Beck explained. “We are hoping to appoint representatives from each of the boroughs and districts in Sussex. We are also looking for help from the Brighton and Hove area and are talking to several interested parties.”


www.sussexjewishoutreach.com