More than 400 schoolchildren, the Deputy Mayor of Redbridge, several local councillors and other dignitaries visited East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (ELELS) during a week of civic activity.

The synagogue hosted the Board of Deputies Jewish Living Experience Exhibition, which ran from Monday to Friday. Pupils from six different schools were invited to attend and were shown many examples of the diversity of the Jewish way of life.

On Saturday, the community put on a special Civic Service – welcoming Deputy Mayor Cllr John Howard, Cllr Lloyd Duddridge, Cllr Joe Hehir and Cllr Guy Williams for an explanatory and musical morning led by the community’s Rabbi Richard Jacobi and Music Director Mich Sampson, accompanied by the synagogue choir.

Rabbi Richard Jacobi talks to the guests about Torah

Rabbi Richard explained the details of the prayers and customs of a Jewish service, which could be followed in a bespoke booklet featuring both English transliteration and translation.

Addressing the congregation, the Deputy Mayor said: “It is my profound honour to join the East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue community, in this building which has long stood as a beacon of Jewish life in our area.

“This is a remarkable Progressive congregation that celebrates diversity in all its forms and demonstrates the very best of what our borough represents.”

Other special guests included Progressive Judaism Co-Lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Faith & Belief Forum Chair Michael Ziff, ELELS Life Vice Presidents June Bradbury and Miriam Sanders, and Sheila Chiat – Life Vice President of nearby Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue.

Rabbis Richard Jacobi and Charley Baginsky show the Deputy Mayor around the Exhibition

Rabbi Charley Baginsky spoke at the end of the service. She said: “Thank you to everyone who organised this incredible exhibition and week of activities, so that 400 young people could come into a synagogue and learn about the diversity and beauty of Judaism.”

At the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition – brought to ELELS by a team led by its Deputy Hanan Charles – the schoolchildren had lots of fun looking at Jewish scrolls and prayerbooks, blowing the shofar, re-enacting lifecycle rituals and asking questions.

Summing up the week, ELELS Chair Jennifer Barnett said: “I am so proud of our vibrant, diverse and multi-generational Progressive community.

“Everyone who attended – from the youngest schoolchild to the Deputy Mayor of our borough – was warmly welcomed and left that little bit more knowledgeable about all the different ways people express their Judaism in Britain today.”