The Mosaic Jewish Community has opened the doors of its new building on Halsbury Close, Stanmore, uniting three different strands of Judaism under the same roof.
Local resident Sam Landau’s Bar Mitzvah ceremony formed part of the opening Reform Shabbat service, with the Liberal and Masorti communities due to move in over the coming months.
The community is formed of the former Middlesex New Synagogue, Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, and Hatch End Masorti Synagogue. All three have adapted their names to include Mosaic.
Each community has their own Rabbi, alongside development rabbi Anna Wolfson, who said Mosaic are planning to offer options for those that don’t fit into the existing three strands.
Harry Grant, chairman of Mosaic Reform Synagogue, said: “Our first Bar Mitzvah and the opening represents a unique step for Anglo Jewry.
“With our three synagogues and four rabbis, including a dedicated development rabbi, we believe no other arrangement of this sort exists in the world. It is our way of ensuring that Jewish life can adapt and grow in new directions demanded by new generations.”
Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton, who conducted the Bar Mitzvah for Sam Landau, said: “It has been a long time in the construction, but so many people have worked so hard to make this vision a reality. Not just for Sam but for the whole community this is the beginning of a new era.”
The new building enables each community to host their own separate services before coming together for joint community activities.
The synagogue hall has a capacity of 600 people and can be reconfigured into 12 classes for the combined religion school called HaMakom. There is also a hub with a children’s soft play area and a café.
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