Welcome to our shul! This week: Chigwell & Hainault
Synagogue: Chigwell & Hainault
Rabbi:
The community is led by Rabbi Boruch Davis, who is also chairman of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue.
How big is the congregation?
Rabbi Davis, his wife Nechama and family arrived in Chigwell in 1997 from Adelaide, Australia. Under their aegis, shul membership has increased from 510 families in 1997 to more than 750 this year.
What does it offer young families?
Activities for youngsters include B’nai Akiva at the synagogue every Shabbat afternoon and a mother and baby social group.
Is there a cheder?
We have a great cheder and also a Jewish nursery on the site. Education is very important at the shul; as well as the weekly Talmud Shiur, our weekly ‘Ladies’ Sem’ has been running for many years, and the monthly ladies’ Rosh Chodesh group, Levana, is a great success. The shul also hosts the ongoing ‘L’Chaim’ educational programme, with a wide variety of speakers.
Tell us an interesting fact about the synagogue that we may not know?
We know that the safety of our members is of paramount importance: many of those on our Shabbat morning security rota attend the regular weekly Krav Maga self-defence classes held at the synagogue, and we also have a defibrillator on-site, should the need arise. We have a weekly shul newsletter and a bi-annual Chigshul Magazine.
We also have a synagogue library and are proud of our shul cricket team, which is probably the oldest synagogue cricket club in north-east London.
Synagogue website: www.chigshul.net
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