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Ilford Synagogue was founded in 1936, and moved to its present site over 40 years ago. It serves a varied membership ranging from strictly orthodox to less observant members, but at the same time having a warm and friendly atmosphere. Ilford Synagogue is a member of the United Synagogue, a body that was established in 1870 and has now become the largest body of its kind in the world. The United Synagogue also supports the Office of the Chief Rabbi and his rabbinical court, known as the London Beth Din.
Our Building We are
blessed with a wonderful “1960s Cathedral style” community building. We
are continuing a programme of improvements and modernisation that is
literally “building today for our tomorrow”. So far this has included
major refurbishment of the toilet facilities and a project to make the
vestibule much lighter and welcoming.
Community Life As a
Synagogue Community, Ilford Shul remains the largest in Essex and one of
the largest in the family of the United Synagogue. It provides a whole
host of services and activities, servicing the needs of our 1000+
households and catering for members and potential members from the
cradle to the grave. The Hebrew for Synagogue is Beit
HaKnesset, literally, House of the Assembly. The atmosphere in the Synagogue is one
of informality. Worshippers pray both individually and collectively, and may enter and
leave at various times during the service. This may appear strange to anyone used to the
decorum and silence in the houses of prayer of some other faiths. However, our Synagogue
is really an extension of our homes and we hope that you will also feel "at
home" here. Men and women worshippers do not sit
together, as each would be liable to distract the other from their prayers. For this
reason, men and women are accommodated in separate sections of the Synagogue and women do
not lead the ritual of the service. Married men are required to wear a
prayer shawl, known as a Tallit. This is a rectangular outer garment of wool or
silk adorned with fringes at each corner to comply with the requirement in the Book of
Numbers. Women who are or have been married and all men are required to cover their heads
during the service. After the service, the congregation is
often invited to participate in a Kiddush in the adjoining Mark Lews Hall.
This is the Sanctification of the Sabbath day and enables the congregation to enjoy a
glass of wine and a piece of cake or a biscuit. The Lay Leadership The lay leaders of the congregation are
called the Honorary Officers and together with the Board of Management, they are responsible for the smooth running of
the services and the administration and finances of the Synagogue. The Honorary Officers
who organise the service are known as Wardens. The Tibber Library Chadashot Weekly Newsletter The Honorary Officers and the Board of Management |