Harlow has had a Jewish Community in the Town since the early 50's. In 1966 a Terrapin prefabricated building was purchased. The building went up in two days, seated over 100 people and could be partitioned for classes. At the consecration of the synagogue, the Harlow Council of Churches presented a handmade reading desk, which is still in use today. The Community membership comes from a 200 square mile catchment area from Epping and London in the south to Bishops Stortford and beyond in the north, and from Ware in the west to Great Dunmow in the east.
The synagogue building, which has wheelchair access, is also used as a classroom, and we have a kitchen, so that we can cater for various events. The synagogue produces a monthly magazine, Monthly Newsletter. We hold services every Friday night at 8.15pm and two Saturday mornings a month at 10.30 am. Various other services also take place on all festivals. Our services are by our own Rabbi. As the congregation is a member of the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain we use the R.S.G.B prayer book, Forms Of Prayer. As ours is a Progressive Community, men and women sit together and take equal roles in the service. Also some parts of the service are read in English as well as in Hebrew. The congregation has a thriving Cheder (Religion School) on Sunday mornings. The children are taught by members of the congregation and the Rabbi.
There is a diverse curriculum of Jewish History, Practice, Bible and Hebrew reading. And a weekly preparation for Bar- or Bat-Mitzvah tuition. We have both adult and children's libraries, in the synagogue. It has a large number of books on a wide range of subjects of Jewish interest, as well as the complete Encyclopaedia Judaica. The community's monthly magazine, gives news and details of events. It is posted to all members at the beginning of the month, visitors to the synagogue are welcome to take one of the spare copies.
The community organises various social events throughout the year. These range from Suppers to Chanukah Parties and Matzah Rambles. The Communal Seder is a very popular event.
Address:
Harlow Synagogue, Harberts Road, Harlow, CM19 4DT