Radlett and Bushey Reform Celebrates 40 years with Special Service and New Scroll
Written by Movement for Reform Judaism Tuesday, 22 November 2011
A packed congregation joined in the celebrations at Radlett & Bushey Reform Synagogue (RBRS) last weekend to mark the start of the community’s 40th year.
A special civic service led by the congregation’s two rabbis, Paul Freedman and Celia Surget was attended by local dignitaries, four visiting rabbis (including former RBRS rabbis Barbara Borts and David Mitchell) and founder members of the community. As part of this special service, the congregation dedicated its second Czech scroll. On permanent loan from the Czech Memorial Scrolls Trust, it has been dedicated to the memory of Richard Maurice Toeman, the father of Madeleine Turner, a member of the congregation (pictured left with her mother, Diana Toeman).
Embroidery and textile expert, Lana Young created a new Torah mantle for the occasion celebrating key aspects of Mr Toeman’s life. The unusual design features a piano keyboard, recognising Mr Toeman's love of music and his success in achieving a distinction in his Grade 8 piano exam. He was also an active member of the Richard III Society and their emblem, a white Yorkist rose, also features in the mantle design.
RBRS President, Barry Hyman, paraded the scroll into the synagogue at the start of the service, followed by a large number of children and madrichim or youth leaders (pictured right). The scroll, from the lost community of Vlasim, near Prague, has been restored and is much lighter than the congregation’s other scrolls, making it easier for some members to perform the mitzvah of hagbah.
A year-long special programme is planned to celebrate the large range of events that this 700-family strong synagogue now provides.
Find out more about Radlett & Bushey Reform Synagogue
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