Settlement Synagogue Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Tuesday, 06 July 2010
Celebrations to mark the 90th Anniversary of the Settlement Synagogue have been taking place at SWESRS: South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue. Brenda Soskin from the synagogue explains more.
The synagogue, originally called the St. Georges Jewish Settlement Synagogue was founded in 1919 by Basil and Rose Henriques in Betts Street, Stepney. Clement Attlee, then mayor of Stepney, attended the dedication ceremony of the synagogue, the only congregation to be affiliated to both the Reform and Liberal movements. Congregations were so large that new premises had to be found and in 1929 the synagogue moved to Berners Street (now called Henriques Street) where the building was known as the Bernhard Baron Settlement.
Basil Henriques was known for his work with the immigrant Yiddish speaking Jews fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe.He started youth clubs based in the Settlement, fostering sport and sportsmanship.The Berner Street building had 125 rooms equipped for welfare work and recreation. All sorts of games, skills and arts and crafts were available to Jewish East End boys and girls. In the synagogue, some prayers were in English and more equality was given to women. The synagogue published its own prayer book and Rose Henriques set many of the prayers and hymns to music. Some of this unique form of service is still preserved today at the services at the Stepney synagogue.
During the Second World War, the Settlement housed an air raid wardens' centre and a fire watching post. During the blitz, the choir sang in the shelter where Friday night services were held. After the Berners Street building was sold, the synagogue moved to Brady Street and then to the Stepney Settlement in Beaumont Grove.
It merged with the South West Essex Reform Synagogue in 1997 but continues to hold Shabbat and festival services at Beaumont Grove led by the SWESRS rabbis, Lawrence Rigal, Michael Pertz and Maurice Michaels, preserving some of the minhag and musical traditions of the Henriques family.
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