Brondesbury Park shul looks to raise £700,000 for new building

Brondesbury Park synagogue is to run an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to complete work on its new building.

The campaign will take place for 36 hours from 18 April and aims to raise an essential £700,000 to finish building works as soon as possible.

Match funding will drive the campaign faster towards its successful target, with each donation being matched pound for pound by a group of generous donors.

Work on the new building began in 2017 and was due to complete last summer. However, successive lockdowns delayed progress and raised costs of the building project, as the community found itself having to pay for temporary accommodation for longer than expected as well as for building works.

Services during the pandemic, when they have been allowed, have been held in local community premises, adding an extra layer of challenge in keeping the community going through the last year.

The community now hopes to celebrate this year’s high holy days in its new home.

The new building marks the next successful stage in the life of Brondesbury Park. Once a dwindling community, it was taken over by Rabbi Baruch and Rebbetzen Kezi Levin in 2004. Through the couple’s legendary enthusiasm, sheer hard work and non-judgemental, welcoming approach, the community is now fully reinvigorated. Around 350 families are members, many of whom are fully engaged in community life. In normal times, around six children’s and youth services run each Shabbat.

To help support the campaign CLICK HERE 

The community’s continued expansion is behind the need for a dynamic new shul building that will host a range of activities for all age groups, alongside its busy programme of services.

Rabbi Levin says: “The completion of our new building is a communal dream come true. Beyond the bricks and mortar, it launches an immensely exciting new chapter in the life of our community and brings with it an energy and sense of opportunity which is both tantalising and far-reaching.

“There are many people out there whose families were part of the Willesden community in its original heyday. With our community back on the map and thriving once more, I hope that people who know the area from years ago will feel moved to get involved once again by joining our campaign and supporting the rebirth of Jewish life in a community much loved by Anglo Jewry.”

Victoria Portnoi, Brondesbury Park chair, says: “After years of being nomads we’ll finally have a home once more. We need this final amount of money to finish it off and have the building we always hoped for. Match funding is the best way to do this, as every pound donated will be doubled.

“Even if you’re not a member, these funds will go a long way towards providing a much-needed community space for all: not just for shul services but so much more besides. We’ll have a range of activities and events for all ages, and we can’t wait to get going with them. So please donate whatever you can.”

To help support the campaign CLICK HERE