Brighton’s Jewish community hub welcomes husband and wife team
Rabbi Matt and Sheerelle Marks take the lead on art classes, volunteering events, chagim celebrations and shabbatonim at recently launched Brighton & Hove Jewish Community
A husband and wife team have joined Brighton & Hove Jewish Community, (BNJC) to lead programming for the ambitious hub.
Rabbi Matt Marks and wife Sheerelle have been appointed to oversee education and planning strategy for the charitable initiative, recently opened to revitalise Jewish life in the popular east Sussex seaside resort, with an official launch planned for the summer.
Working on the site in Hove, they will co-ordinate locally run art classes, volunteering events, celebrations for Jewish festivals, and various shabbatonim and residentials.
In a BNJC blog, the couple said: “We were sold on the idea of living in a place with a football team that constantly defies expectations and brings joy to its fans. Plus, living so close to the sea and the South Downs is perfect for Sheerelle, who loves being surrounded by nature, quirky shops, trinkets, and second-hand stores.”
Matt, originally from Belmont, Harrow, worked as a Youth Director in Muswell Hill before returning to Israel for a year of kollel and then teaching English through Teach First.
After meeting and marrying Sheerelle, he moved to JFS, where he took on various roles, including associate senior leader. Matt and his family then joined the Mizrachi UK Fellowship programme in Israel, where he completed his MA in Jewish Education, rabbinic studies, and additional fellowships with LSJS and OUJLIC.
Sheerelle was born in London and moved to Israel with her family at the age of two. They lived in Israel for eight years before returning to London, where Sheerelle attended Independent Jewish Day School and Hasmonean. She then went back to Israel for a “Gap Year” studying at Michlala before returning to London, where she qualified as an Occupational Therapist.
Before getting married, she volunteered with charities and organizations including Camp Simcha, Keshet, Kisharon, and GIFT.
The BNJC hub, supported by the Bloom Foundation in partnership with BHHC (Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation), features a new Orthodox shul, complete with mikveh, nursery, kosher restaurant, bakery, deli, shop and gym.
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