Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue
| Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Jordan Helfman |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Oaks Lane, Newbury Park Ilford, Borough of Redbridge, London, England IG2 7PL |
| Country | United Kingdom |
  Location of the synagogue in Greater London | |
| Geographic coordinates | 51°34′37″N 0°5′41″E / 51.57694°N 0.09472°E |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | 1956 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1966 |
| Website | |
| swesrs | |
Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located on Oaks Lane, Newbury Park in Ilford, in the Borough of Redbridge, London, England, in the United Kingdom. The congregation is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.
History
[edit]The forebears of the congregation date from c. 1919 when the Oxford & St George's Settlement Synagogue was established in Stepney.[1] This congregation subsequently changed its name to St. George's Settlement Synagogue and then later to Settlement Synagogue. It was the only congregation that was concurrently affiliated with both the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism.[2]
Founded in 1956 as S.W. Essex Synagogue, the congregation changed its name in c. 1966 to the South-West Essex Reform Synagogue (also known as SWERS), and later spelled as South West Essex Reform Synagogue. In 1997, the congregation merged with the Settlement Synagogue to form the South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. In September 2023, the merged congregation adopted its current name[1] (although the change of name is to be a working name and not a formal change of the synagogue’s name).[3]
A tag line of "Honouring our Past, Building our Future" was also adopted.[4]
Clergy
[edit]The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation:[1]
| Ordinal | Officeholder | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan W. Miller | c. 1958 | c. 1961 | 2–3 years | |
| 2 | Dow Marmur | c. 1963 | c. 1969 | 5–6 years | |
| 3 | Nicholas Ginsbury | c. 1970 | c. 1973 | 2–3 years | |
| 4 | Henry Goldstein | c. 1973 | 2001 | 27–28 years | All subsequently Emeritus |
| 5 | Lawrence Rigál | 1997 | c. 2006 | 8–9 years | |
| 6 | Maurice Arnold Michaels | c. 2000 | c. 2011 | 10–11 years | |
| − | Stephen Howard | 2011 | 2012 | 0–1 years | Interim rabbi |
| 7 | Nancy Morris | 2012 | 2014 | 1–2 years | [5] |
| − | Dr. Jackie Tabick | 2015 | 2016 | 0–1 years | Interim rabbi |
| 8 | Lisa Barrett | 2016 | May 2021 | 4–5 years | [6][7] |
| 9 | Jordan Helfman | January 2022 | incumbent | 2 years, 305 days | Formerly of Holy Blossom Temple,[8] |
Additionally, the congregation has been served by the following, as associate rabbis, Rabbi G.C. Goldberg (c. 1978–c. 1980); Rabbi Howard Cooper (c. 1980–c. 1982); Rabbi Michael Pertz (c. 2004–c. 2011); and Rabbi Lev Taylor (since July 2022).[1][9] Lev Taylor vacated his position with effect from 10 July 2024.[10]
See also
[edit]
- History of the Jews in England
- List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
- List of synagogues in the United Kingdom
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Settlement Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "A name change for SWESRS!". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "A name change for SWESRS!". 18 July 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ "South West Essex and Settlement Reform appoints Rabbi Nancy Morris". The Jewish Chronicle. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Rocker, Simon (3 August 2018). "Cash-strapped Essex shul finds funds to save rabbi's full-time role". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "Rabbi Lisa's Farewell Service". South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ "Home page". Holy Blossom Temple. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ "A New Rabbi for SWESRS" (PDF). 24 June 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ "A Letter from Lester Allen, Chair of Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue". 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
External links
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