Shul offering ‘free’ seats for High Holy Days

A shul in Middlesex has been prompted to offer “free seats for High Holy Day services” in recognition that people are struggling in the wake of a post-Brexit economic downturn.

Staines and District United Synagogue made the offer this week, to include the New Year (Rosh Hashanah), The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), The Festival of Tabernacles (Succot) and all intervening Sabbaths.

“With the drop in the pound and the cut in interest rates, everything is becoming more expensive,” said Rev. D Kale. “Many young families and those on fixed incomes and even those in regular employment are finding it more difficult to cope financially.”

He added that “synagogue fees often have to be put on the back-burner and many people feel nervous about attending Synagogue over the High Holyday Period because they may be in arrears with membership or not even a member of a Synagogue”.

On the offer of free seats, he said: “We would like to offer some comfort.”