Canvey Island Charedi community leaders criticised over shul garden plan
Concerned local residents say traffic, parking, noise and the operating hours of the synagogue could be problematic
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Leaders of the Canvey Island Jewish community have come under criticism from locals after submitting plans for small synagogue to be built in a garden.
Rabbis for the growing community claim the small shul is needed because the elderly, disabled and parents of young children currently have to make a lengthy walk to the existing synagogue on Meppel Avenue.
But residents say they are worried about traffic, parking and noise issues and the operating hours of the shul.
Rabbi Paneth, who submitted the plans, has attempted to reassure some locals that the shul will only be used on Shabbat and on festivals meaning there will be no issue with vehicles.
With the capacity of the new premises limited the rabbi has also stressed that noise levels will also be kept at a minimum.
It is claimed that only eight properties have been notified of the plan to build the shul in the garden of a house on Furtherwick Road.
But two petitions have been set up with more than 600 signatures and more than 100 people have objected on the Castle Point Council website.
While the majority of comments raise legitimate concerns about the plan, several stray into problematic claims about the community.
More than 500 Charedi Jews have moved to the area since 2016, with many leaving Stamford Hill due to the high cost of housing.
The Paneth family issued a statement which said: “The anticipated use means there will very little car use. Given the capacity of the premises, the build design and proximity to neighbouring properties, we do not anticipate that noise will be an issue at all.
“Although we have received many positive comments, clearly, there are concerns amongst some neighbours and residents, some of whom we have already engaged.
“It transpires that much of this is based on misinformation and fear of the unknown. We plan to address these concerns and work with our neighbours and the council in a constructive manner.”
One Facebook post says “if more people just sit back and do nothing the Jewish community will get what they want.”
Another wrote:”They have done nothing but lie since they moved in.”
Meanwhile another user claimed:”We were a lovely sleepy seaside community and suddenly we are ruled by a group of people who do not respect our connection with our amazing Canvey Island.”
“We have lost our country,” complained another poster.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
