This year marks a significant milestone for Sukkat Shalom: Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, as the congregation celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Over the past two decades, the community has grown and flourished, becoming a vibrant and welcoming space for all those looking for Progressive Judaism connection and support in the Scottish capital.

A special service was held to commemorate the occasion at St Mark’s Unitarian Church. Rabbi Mark Solomon, the community’s rabbi, started the programme with a uniso rendition of Ma Tovu. This was followed by welcome remarks from Nick Silk, Co-Chair of the Sukkat Shalom Council.

Though the origins of the community date back to the mid-1990s, the community celebrated the date they officially became an independent community from Glasgow Reform Synagogue (GRS) in early 2004. Rabbi Pete Tobias, now rabbi to GRS, played a role in the early days of Sukkat Shalom and recounted some of his time as part of his speech.

Following this, Maurice Naftalin, Co-Chair of the Council, retold his story from these early days and presented a Lifetime Award to member Rebekah Gronowoski. He said: “Rebekah’s contribution, as one of our founder members, has been immense. Whether it’s been community work, music, interfaith or equality and diversity matters, Rebekah has played a key part in our success story.”

Community member and published author Ellen Galford wrote and read a poem honouring Sukkat Shalom’s two decades to commemorate the occasion, before the celebrations concluded with prayers by Rabbi Mark with his reflections on the anniversary.

The attendees continued the celebration with a food gathering in the back hall, where they were happily joined by attendees from all faiths and organisations, including Glasgow Reform Synagogue, Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (EHC), Edinburgh Interfaith Association (EIFA), St Marks Unitarian Church, Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Centre, Methodist Church Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society.

Everyone reflected on the synagogue’s journey, celebrating its achievements and looked ahead to the next chapter of the Sukkat Shalom story.

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Pictures:

1) Award winner Rebekah Gronowoski
2) Rabbi Pete Tobias
3) Andrea Torres, Rolando Hernandez and Rabbi Mark Solomon