Celebrations in Bournemouth
Written by Movement for Reform Judaism Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Bournemouth Reform Synagogue marked 200 years of Reform Judaism with a special civic service and a lunch for over 100 people.
On the 17th July 1810 in Seesen, Lower Saxony in North West Germany, Israel Jacobson, a German philanthropist, held the first Reform service in the Temple in his school. Some 200 years on and Reform Judaism is flourishing. Bournemouth Reform Synagogue marked this special anniversary on Saturday, 17th July 2010 with a civic service attended by the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr. Barry Goldbart and his consort Mrs Vivienne Goldbart who were accompanied by Mr Connor Burns MP and a number of councillors from Bournemouth Council.
Rabbi Neil spoke about the importance of Reform Judaism encompassing tradition and modernity, noting that Reform Judaism can be very challenging for Jews as they try to find an appropriate response to tradition in this modern, changing life.
Other communities were represented by the Bishop of Winchester Michael Scott-Joynt, Rev. Doctor Ian Terry from St Peter’s Church, Rev. Bob Vernon from St James Church and Mr Adnan Chaudry from the Race Equality Council. The support from different faith communities demonstrated the success of the interfaith work that is so important to both Rabbi Neil Amswych and Rabbi Jenny Goldfried Amswych with the support of the community.
On Sunday, 18th July 2010 at least 110 people attended a special lunch hosted by Lord Morris and Lady Stephanie Mendoza at the Miramar Hotel. The Mayor of Bournemouth and his consort joined the capacity crowd for this event which was designed to help develop the social and cultural work of the community, much of which goes on very quietly and very often unnoticed. In his address Lord Mendoza spoke passionately about the important work of both rabbis, the huge importance of outreach work, the many schools that visit the synagogue and welcoming people from all over Bournemouth and Dorset who wish to understand and experience Judaism.
The mayor spoke about how it was so important to continue with the interfaith work that is done, allowing us to meet each other, learn from each other and recognise our similarities. He also reminded the guests that both Reform Judaism and the town of Bournemouth are celebrating a bicentary and briefly talked about the history of Bournemouth.
Rabbi Neil Amswych commented that this had been a community event and reflected on the idea that in this ever-changing world all places of worship need to be centres of meaning saying: “If you have not visited us then please come and learn with us, pray, share food with us, have fun with us” offering all who had not been to the synagogue an invitation to come and “experience our idea of community.”
The lunch raised a total of £3,000 which was presented by Lord Mendoza to the synagogue’s Honorary Treasurer, Zelda Swan. Pre-event donations raised a further £600. The synagogue President Rita Navarre, thanked Lord and Lady Mendoza for all their continued generosity and support of the community which was greatly appreciated.
The Bournemouth community will continue to work with both rabbis in further developing interfaith relationships in Bournemouth and beyond. During these 200 years Reform Judaism has gone from strength to strength and the Bournemouth community look forward to the continued growth of Reform Judaism not only in Bournemouth but all over the world.
Pictured above, from right to left: BRS President Rita Navarre, BRS Chair Ruth Reed, Lord Morris Mendoza, Mayor's Consort Mrs Vivienne Goldbart, the Mayor Cllr. Barry Goldbart, Rabbi Neil Amswych and Rabbi Jenny Goldfried Amswych.
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