New synagogue merger after finance and attendance concerns

Waltham Forest Hebrew Congregation and Wanstead and Woodford Synagogue have voted overwhelmingly to merge after worries about finances and poor attendance.

At specially-convened meetings, members opted by significant majorities to combine forces, with 87 votes to 27 at Waltham Forest and 80 votes to seven at Wanstead and Woodford.

It comes only two week Clayhall and NewburyPark shuls voted to form Redbridge United Synagogue after 18 months consultation, the way for the first merger of two United Synagogue communities in over a decade.

Honorary Officers at WalthamForest said they had the “full backing” of the United Synagogue, adding: “The key factors in reaching this decision have been to ensure the long term viability and future of both communities.”

The new merged shul is likely to be called Forest United Synagogue with elections held for the new Board in May 2016.