Hendon and Edgware Reform ‘overwhelmingly’ vote to merge

A super-union of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue (EDRS) and Hendon Reform Synagogue is set to go ahead, after a Monday night vote cleared the way.

The 2,600-strong merged community overcame its final obstacle after EDRS members voted “overwhelmingly” to combine, following a similar vote by Hendon last month.

EDRS community director Perry Newton said “immediate” progress would now be made after a packed hall heard how the tie-up would result in “the ideal union”.

Last week, Hendon’s Rabbi Steven Katz said the merger made sense because “only ten percent of our congregation actually live in Hendon – more live closer to Edgware, or in Mill Hill”.

Katz will join three EDRS rabbis in one of London’s biggest Jewish communities. Last year Elstree and Borehamwood overtook Stanmore as the largest United Synagogue community.