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
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
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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