www.reformjudaism.org.uk

First Reform Mayor in Bournemouth

Friday, 04 June 2010

Members of the Bournemouth Jewish community attended the Mayor making ceremony at the Bournemouth Pavilion on Friday, 28th May 2010. Councillor Barry Goldbart is the fifth Jewish Mayor that the seaside town of Bournemouth has had and is the first Reform Jewish Mayor and a member of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue.

The change of Mayor took place as the outgoing Mayor Beryl Baxter took off her robes and regalia and the new incoming Mayor, Barry Goldbart, then dressed in the these robes and regalia, took on this important role for the town.  Councillor Goldbart, who previously served on Brent Council, was proud to announce that his consort would be his wife Vivienne who was also adorned with regalia. Rabbi Neil Amswych, principal Rabbi of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue, was appointed as the Mayor’s Chaplain.

Pictured above: Rabbi Neil Amswych (left) and Councillor Barry Goldbart (right).

In his speech, Councillor Goldbart said that Rabbi Amswych was a wonderful man who is often seen riding his bike around Bournemouth. The Mayor reminded everyone that Rabbi Amswych was instrumental in proposing that the Council adopt the Earth Charter and become the world’s first Earth Charter Town.  This was accepted in 2008 and will give the town a strong ethical lead in society which transcends party politics and can unify the town in building a strong future.

On Sunday 30th May at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth, Rabbi Neil fulfilled his first duty as Chaplain to the Mayor, delivering a sermon at the Mayor’s Civic Service.  Over the years Bournemouth Reform Synagogue has been involved in much interfaith work, including sermon swaps, and this marked the fourth time that Rabbi Amswych will have delivered a sermon to the congregation at St Peter’s.

In his acceptance speech, the Mayor mentioned the importance of this year, not only for the town of Bournemouth who are celebrating their bicentenary with lots of planned events, but also for the Reform Movement who are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Reform Judaism in mid July.

The Mayor’s chosen charities for the year are The Fire Fighters Charity, Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired, the Wessex Autistic Society and the Youth Cancer Trust.