29 July 2016

The community at Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) honoured some of their longest serving members at a special Shabbat service to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Brighton Jewry.

Led by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, the service demonstrated BHPS’s inclusive approach to Jewish life, with participation from four key local cross-communal Jewish organisations – the Jewish Welfare Board, the Jewish Housing Association, Hyman Fine House residential home for the elderly and Helping Hands. It also included readings from Brighton Jewry: An Anthology of the Brighton & Hove Jewish Community 1766-2016, edited by Godfrey Gould and Michael Crook.

Elli said: “Our longest standing members have been part of the congregation for more than 65 years – three of them for 69 years. They are veterans of the ‘Youth Group’, founded after World War 2, which provided the core energy and leadership for the post-war development of the synagogue.

“They have not only been members for a long time, but have been engaged in the community throughout the decades, and remain actively involved.

“Sadly, two of them were not well enough to attend: Diana White, an emeritus vice president, and Stanley Marks. Long-standing member, lay reader and emeritus vice president Harry Atkins led the service with me, and he was joined by Jean Jay, Renée Luper and Anne Carr for a special Mi Shebeirach.”

Synagogues and Jewish groups across Brighton, from all denominations of Judaism, have been holding services and events to celebrate the 250th anniversary.