The United Synagogue

Official Opening Heralds Next Chapter For Hackney And East London United Synagogue

PRESS RELEASE

London,
8th March 2011


OFFICIAL OPENING HERALDS NEXT CHAPTER FOR HACKNEY AND EAST LONDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Hackney and East London United Synagogue officially opened their new premises last week with members marking the occasion by holding their first Shabbat in the modernised Synagogue. A joint venture between the US and the local community, the new Synagogue can accommodate 80 people with the potential of expansion, and facilities include a communal hall for over 100 people, a kosher kitchen and easy access for the disabled.

The newly built Hackney and East London United Synagogue is located just half a mile away from the original Synagogue and the Bimah, Sefer Torahs and Judaica have been transferred to the new premises in order for the community to retain much of its prestigious past.

Led over the past 14 years by Reverend Tiefenbrun, the Synagogue attracts a regular following who attend weekly Shabbat prayer services and shiurim. As a sizable and growing number of young Jewish couples and singles study and live in the East End, Hackney and East London United Synagogue hopes to encourage them to make use of the services and events the Synagogue have to offer with future plans to provide Friday night dinners, guest speakers, prayer services during the week, and Sunday morning breakfasts. The United Synagogue living and learning department will also be assisting Hackney with educational and cultural events.

Stephen Rajbenbach, US Property Director commented;

“We are delighted to help create a modern shul and community environment to serve the needs of this historic congregation.”

Stephen Brook, Financial Representative can envisage a bright future for the community;

“With a new start in a new shul, we aim to grow and the seeds have now been planted. Although small, we are a friendly and inclusive community where people should feel welcome and not intimidated. We don’t want people to hesitate to come to shul because they struggle to read Hebrew, we can help with that!”

Reverend Tiefenbrun said;

“We are excited about our new shul and are looking forward to encouraging young Jewish people in the area to join our community.”

Emeritus Minister of Hackney and East London United Synagogue, Alan Greenbat added;

“I am pleased to learn that the community has been successfully relocated and I look forward to many happy years in the new premises.”


-End-


EDITORS’ NOTES: -

Over 125 years old, the Hackney Jewish community had one of the largest memberships within the United Synagogue in its heyday, when the Jewish community lived in the East End. The community was based in a beautiful listed Victorian Synagogue where they stayed for over 100 years. The membership gradually declined over the years as the Jewish community became more affluent and moved to other parts of London.

For further information, please contact:

Leonie Furman
The PR Office
Work: 020 7284 6969
Email: us@theproffice.com

this week
shabbat times

May. 25th - 26th
5th Sivan
Begins: 20:46
Ends: 22:03
Sedra: Bamidbar

   ------------------------