Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue on Oaks Lane, Newbury Park in Ilford, in the Borough of Redbridge, London, England. The congregation is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.

History The forebears of the congregation date from when the Oxford & St George's Settlement Synagogue was established in Stepney. This congregation subsequently changed its name to St. George's Settlement Synagogue and then later to Settlement Synagogue. It was the only congregation that was concurrently affiliated with both the Movement for Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism.

Founded in 1956 as S.W. Essex Synagogue, the congregation changed its name in to the South-West Essex Reform Synagogue (also known as SWERS), and later spelled as South West Essex Reform Synagogue. In 1961 - on the festival of Sukkot - the synagogue formed a mixed SATB choir to add music throughout services. The choir still survives to this day and frequently uses music either written or arranged 'in-house' by various former choristers, choirmasters and accompanists.

In 1997, the congregation merged with the Settlement Synagogue to form the South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. In September 2023, the merged congregation adopted its current name (although the change of name is to be a working name and not a formal change of the synagogue's name).

A tag line of "Honouring our Past, Building our Future" was also adopted.

Clergy

The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation:

Ordinal Officeholder Term start Term end Time in office Notes Alan W. Miller years Dow Marmur years Nicholas Ginsbury years Henry Goldstein 2001 years All subsequently emeritus Lawrence Rigál 1997 years years Stephen Howard 2011 2012 years Interim rabbi Nancy Morris 2012 2014 years Dr. Jackie Tabick 2015 2016 years Interim rabbi Lisa Barrett 2016 years Jordan Helfman incumbent Formerly of Holy Blossom Temple,

Additionally, the congregation has been served by the following, as associate rabbis, Rabbi G.C. Goldberg (–); Rabbi Howard Cooper (–); Rabbi Michael Pertz (–); and Rabbi Lev Taylor (since July 2022). Lev Taylor vacated his position with effect from 10 July 2024.

See also

History of the Jews in England List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom List of synagogues in the United Kingdom

References

External links