Canvey Island Charedi community welcomed to area
The fledgling community from Stamford Hill was presented with the Seal of the Council to mark its arrival in Canvey Island
New Jewish residents of Canvey Island have been presented with the Seal of the Council by the mayor, marking the start of a swing away from Stamford Hill for members of the Charedi community.
The presentation, which took place at Castle Point on Wednesday, was described as a “lovely event” by Joel Friedman of Interlink Foundation, whose family recently relocated to the reclaimed island on the Thames Estuary in Essex.
Community members recently bought the site of a former school and playing fields, where Essex County Council confirmed that a new private Jewish school will be built, to educate children from families heading north-east, to escape rising London prices.
“People are desperate, and the pressures are immense,” said Rabbi Abraham Pinter, explaining that population growth means a four- or five-bedroom house in Stamford Hill would now cost about £1.5 million.
The Canvey Island community currently numbers less than ten families, but 50-60 are expected to arrive within the next year, and while shul services are for now being held in local assembly rooms, permanent properties are being sought.
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