Progressive community finds site in Stanmore for new permanent home

Harrow-based Mosaic shul finds site for potential new synagogue allowing it to serve its diverse community

Proposed Stanmore shul for the new Mosiac community
Proposed Stanmore shul for the new Mosiac community

The Mosaic Jewish Community has found a site for a new permanent home in Stanmore.

Currently based in Harrow, Mosaic serves the Jewish community from Harrow to Hertsmere and Bushey to Brent, bringing three constituent synagogues together – Mosaic Liberal (formerly Harrow and Wembley Progressive), Mosaic Masorti (formerly Hatch End Masorti), and Mosaic Reform (formerly Middlesex New) – into one pluralist community.

Mosaic’s potential new home is 65 Stanmore Hill, currently a petrol station on the main through route between Stanmore and Bushey, owned by leading north London developers Heronslea Group.

Planning applications are being submitted for the petrol station to become a synagogue community centre on the ground floor and nine new homes above, and for Mosaic’s current home on Bessborough Road in Harrow to be turned into residential use – a new development of 40 homes, all to be developed by Heronslea Group.

Rabbi Kathleen Middleton, of the Mosaic Reform Synagogue, said: “Mosaic brought together three synagogues from different denominations to create a pluralist community.  Serving three synagogues on a site that is not central for our members has been challenging for everyone involved, with accessibility being an issue. We need a new, purpose built synagogue in the heart of our community.”

Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith of Mosaic Liberal Synagogue added:  “Our new home, if approved, will enable us to offer new Jewish choices to the unaffiliated and unengaged nearby, while continuing to provide a vibrant community for our existing members.”

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