Merged Edgware, Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Shul to be called ‘Shema’
"Its a powerful name which embodies the dynamic spirit of our new community,” says co-chair after poll of over 200 community members
Jeremy Last is assistant web editor at the Jewish News. He lives in Israel, and is currently in his second stint at the JN, having worked for the paper back in the early 2000s!
A newly merged Masorti London shul has revealed its new name: Shema.
After an online poll of over 200 community members, it was agreed to name the community after the famous prayer Jews say twice a day.
Short for South Herts and Edgware Masorti, the name represents the new community, which was launched in December with the official merger of Edgware Masorti Synagogue (EMS) and Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Community (EBMC).
Over 40 names were suggested by members of both legacy communities before members cast their votes. The decision was then ratified by a meeting of the synagogue Council on 21 February.
Rabbi Danny Newman has been joint rabbi of both communities since mid-2021.
Shul Co-Chair Steven Lux said he hoped the new name should catch the attention of the Jewish community throughout the local area.
“SHEMA is a powerful name which embodies the dynamic spirit of our new community,” he said.
“South Herts and Edgware Masorti tells people where we are, but SHEMA says pay attention, we are open for business, while of course having immediate resonance from our daily prayers.”
The next task is to find a new permanent home near Borehamwood for the shul.
Currently, they are continuing to hold services in both Edgware and Borehamwood, plus combined events including Yom Tov services and Bar and Bar Mitzvahs.
And if you didn’t have a chance to get involved in the name vote, there’s more to come. This week the shul announced that a competition will be held to design a logo “that symbolises the spirit of the new name”.
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.
