Brondesbury Park celebrates new shul and Torah
Chief Rabbi hails 'one of greatest Jewish revival stories in Britain' as community dances through the streets of Willesden
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis spoke of “what surely is one of the greatest revival stories of Judaism in Great Britain” as he joined revellers for the grand opening of the new Brondesbury Park Synagogue building and the Torah dedication street parade on Sunday.
The opening of the newly designed shul, in an area of north-west London where the Jewish community continues to grow and thrive, had been eagerly anticipated – not least because the completion of the project first announced in 2015, and which began two years later, had been delayed as a result of the pandemic.
“What a glorious, and beautiful, and sacred moment this is,” said Chief Rabbi Mirvis as he addressed the congregation inside the spacious new building, which can now host a range of activities for all age groups, alongside its busy programme of services.
“I feel overjoyed to be here to witness this.”
It seemed fitting that Rabbi Mirvis then turned to who he described as the “architects of the transformation of Jewish life in this area” – Rabbi Baruch Levin, and his wife Kezi.
“You have breathed new Jewish life into this area and you are responsible for what surely is one of the greatest revival stories of Judaism in Great Britain,” he said to the pair.
If anyone wished to find evidence of the strength of the Jewish revival in the local areas of Willesden, Brondesbury Park, Queens Park, Cricklewood and Kensal Rise that surround the shul, the joyous late afternoon street parade to greet the new Sefer Torah provided much to see and admire.
Hundreds lined a nearby street, as the new Torah was taken from Rabbi Levin’s home address, under a Chuppah, to be joined and followed by a DJ truck which played Hebrew songs of joy and celebration.
Police officers and Community Security Trust volunteers were present throughout – but the mood remained relaxed and celebratory at all times in an area of London in which Jewish life continues to flourish.
As the Sefer Torah continued its journey towards the shul, a popcorn and candy floss station proved a hit with the children, the whiskey stalls a smash with the adults.
The shul’s existing Sifrei Torah were then brought outside to meet with their new addition, as the dancing and singing continued apace.
Inside the shul, Levin was understandably emotional as he addressed the congregation.
The Torah Dedication had been, he revealed, the first to take place in the area “for at least three decades, possibly four.”
Rabbi Levin then continued: “The image of several hundred people marching down the road- women, men, children, young and old – with such a spiritual vibrancy. and spiritual life speaks volumes about the rebirth of Jewish life in this area.
“Coming full circle from a community that once was great, to a community that is once again great and has aspirations to become even greater.”
Both Rabbi Levin, and Chief Rabbi Mirvis before him, reminded those present, that while this was a day of great celebration for the community, the horrific and tragic events in Ukraine could not be forgotten.
In moments of real poignancy, Rabbi Mirvis referred to Psalm 30, and the dedication made by David.
“These are our sentiments with regards to the Jews and the millions of people in Ukraine,” he added.
“We pray that the Almighty bless all those people so their lives will transform from fear, from grief, from desperation and tragedy to lives of joy and happiness.,. may peace reign over that area as soon as possible.”
Rabbi Levin led the community through a rendition of Tehillim 121 – “I turn my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come?”.
In her own fine speech Ingrid Sellman— whose late husband David was a Brondesbury shul chairman — managed to grasp the full poignancy of the occasions.
A member of the shul for 57 years, Sellman recalled how there had once been six shuls and two shtiebels, but all closed as the local community moved to the suburbs of London and further afield, leaving Willesden as the only place of worship for the few Jews who remained.
Sellman spoke admiringly of the way the current Rabbi and Rebbetzin had overseen the rebirth of flourishing Jewish life.
Recalling the devotion her late husband and Harold Fleischer, the former financial officer of the shul, “would be proud if they were here today.”
She added that Sunday’s celebrations were “a momentous time in our community, but we have to have a sense of what went before.”
Stained glass windows from the synagogue that once stood in Cricklewood, which closed in 2005, have been reframed to take pride of place in the new shul’s main prayer hall, ensuring tradition and memories live on.
Brondesbury Park’s chairwoman Victoria Portnoi used her speech to stress the need for a “strong Jewish identity” that would keep the community both “together and thriving.”
She also handed out gifts to those who had played a leading role in the shul rebuild project. Loud cheers roared around the hall as the Rabbi and Rebbetzin and their children were honoured.
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