Two Liberal shuls vote unanimously for merger
Both Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues agreed to the merger with over 80 percent in favour
Francine Wolfisz is the Features Editor for Jewish News.
Liberal Judaism has welcomed the merger of two synagogues into a new community serving East London and West Essex.
Members of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues voted in favour of forming a new single congregation led by Rabbis Richard Jacobi and David Hulbert.
Rabbi Danny Rich, senior rabbi of Liberal Judaism, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the strengths and resources of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues.
“This new 700 member Liberal community is a statement of our confidence in, and desire to serve the Jewish community of Redbridge, Essex and beyond.”
Eighty-six per cent of Bet Tikvah members and 81 per cent of Woodford Liberal Synagogue members voted in favour of unification.
Woodford Liberal Synagogue chairman Jonny Hurst said: “I genuinely believe that the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts – creating a stronger and more secure community, without losing the identity and values which we have both developed and cherished over many decades.”
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