Redbridge and Ilford shul merger approved by United Synagogue

Two Essex communities will combine resources for 2,000 members, as a competition is launched to decide the new shul's name

The merger between two of Essex’s largest shuls has been approved by the United Synagogue Council, after the communities overwhelmingly backed the move.

Redbridge and Ilford United Synagogues will now hold a competition to decide the name of the new community, in Beehive Lane, the current home of Ilford shul.

As part of this merger, a refurbishment programme will be undertaken in the new year to ensure that the new community has improved facilities for its more than 2,000 members.

Malcolm Nathan, the chair of Ilford United Synagogue, and Mike Callaghan, his Redbridge counterpoint, said: “The whole process started some two years ago, about the time of [the] Brexit [referendum] and we’ve managed to come up with an answer in that time – we’re open to offers to move in to Number 10.”