Civic service marks a Reform milestone (From Bournemouth Echo)

Civic service marks a Reform milestone

8:00am Saturday 24th July 2010 in

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ON July 17, 1810, in Seesen, Lower Saxony in north-west Germany, philanthropist Israel Jackobson held the first Reform service in the Temple in his school. Some 200 years on, Reform Judaism is flourishing. Bournemouth Reform Synagogue marked this special anniversary last Saturday with a civic service, attended by the Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Barry Goldbart, MPs and representatives from various faith communities.

These included the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Rev Michael Scott-Joynt; the Rev Ian Terry from St Peter’s Church; the Rev Bob Vernon of St James; and Adnan Chaudry from the Race Equality Council.

The following day, at least 110 people attended a lunch hosted by Lord Morris and Lady Stephanie Mendoza at the Miramar Hotel. Lord Mendoza spoke passionately about the important work of the Rabbis, as well as 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.

Rabbi Neil Amswych said that in this ever-changing world, he felt that all places of worship need to be centres of meaning. “If you have not visited us, then please come and learn with us, pray, share food with us, have fun with us,” he said, extending an invitation to all who had not been to a synagogue to “come and experience our idea of community”.

Laura Mellins from Bournemouth’s Reform Synagogue said: “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.”