Maidenhead Synagogue

Maidenhead Synagogue is a Reform synagogue based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It serves Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding districts west of London in the Thames Valley area.[1]

Maidenhead Synagogue
Part of the library at Maidenhead Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
LeadershipRabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE
StatusActive
Location
LocationMaidenhead, Berkshire, England
Maidenhead Synagogue is located in Southern England
Maidenhead Synagogue
Maidenhead Synagogue shown within southern England
Geographic coordinates51.526111°N 0.70735°W / 51.526111; -0.70735
Website
http://maidenheadsynagogue.org.uk

History

Maidenhead Synagogue originated during World War II when many Jewish families were evacuated to the area from London.[2] It was initially a community with no dedicated building, meeting for prayer in private houses and served by a volunteer rabbi and lay readers. At the war's end, some of the congregation stayed in the area and established a permanent Jewish community, acquiring a house for use as a dedicated synagogue building in 1953.[1]

The synagogue became part of the Reform Movement in 1960,[3] so receiving the services of student rabbis of the Leo Baeck College, among them Jonathan Romain who was appointed as the synagogue's first full-time rabbi in 1980.[1] The synagogue moved to larger premises in 2001[1] and the congregation has grown to 1831 members.[4] An extension to the synagogue, including a new community centre, was opened in 2017.

Facilities

In addition to being a centre for worship, the synagogue's facilities include a library, a Judaica and kosher shop, a nursery school, a religion school, youth clubs, adult education classes, conversion classes, social activities for adults and children, a café, and a community care scheme.[1][5]

For members unable to travel to the synagogue, Shabbat evening and Shabbat morning services are streamed live via the Internet.[1]

All members receive by post the synagogue's monthly community magazine, Hadashot (חדשות).[6]

See also

References
  1. "Welcome to Maidenhead Synagogue". Maidenhead Synagogue. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. "Maidenhead Synagogue". JCR-UK. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  3. "The town on the front line of the battle for survival | the Jewish Chronicle". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  4. "Maidenhead Synagogue in The Times". Movement for Reform Judaism. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  5. "Synagogue Directory". Movement for Reform Judaism. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  6. "Hadashot". Maidenhead Synagogue. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
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