East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue

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East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue

A vibrant Liberal Jewish Community proud of its liberal ethics, respectful of its Jewish heritage, whilst modern and forward looking.

East London & Essex Liberal Synagogue is a community for like minded Jews living in East London, Essex or surrounding areas. Based in the London Borough of Redbridge, our new community is being created out of the unification of Bet Tikvah and Woodford Liberal Synagogues and begins life on 1st January 2017.

26/05/2026

Klezmer Tea Party
Sunday 21st June, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Join Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue for a joyful afternoon of live Klezmer music with internationally acclaimed violinist Ilana Cravitz and her band. Enjoy the energy, melodies and spirit of this much-loved musical tradition alongside a delicious cream tea with strawberries — and if the music moves you, the dance floor is waiting!

25/05/2026

Community Event + Survey: Diabetes Demystified
Thursday 18th June, 2026
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
For nearly 60 years, Jewish Blind & Disabled has supported people living with sight loss and physical disability. Now, they’re tackling one of the fastest-growing health concerns in our community—type 2 diabetes—and its link to disability.

They’ve partnered with Jewish News to:
📝 Launch a community-wide survey
🎤 Host a free information evening open to everyone

💡 Whether you’re living with diabetes, supporting someone who is, or simply want to learn more and make a difference—your voice matters.

📅 Event: Thursday 18th June
⏰ Time: 7:30–9:00 PM
📍 Location: Woodford, E18

👥 Featuring expert speakers in endocrinology, dietetics, and general practice.

No prior knowledge or diagnosis needed—just curiosity and community spirit.

👉 Take the survey: https://www.surveyhero.com/c/apabx7uc
👉 Book your place: https://www.jbd.org/event/diabetes-demystified/

Because better awareness leads to better support—and stronger communities. 💙

21/05/2026

Saturday 23rd May, 2026
1:00 pm
We have kindly been invited to the Marlborough Road Street Party. There will be a range of activities for children and adults, including games, face painting, a scavenger hunt, street chalk art, a quiz, and more, along with food and drinks available. It’s set to be a fun community afternoon for all. Click on poster for full details

Please note - Marlborough Road will be closed to vehicles from 12 noon until 7pm, from outside number 32 towards George Lane. Anyone attending the service on Saturday is kindly asked to park closer to the Clarendon Road end.

20/04/2026

Join us for a fascinating local history talk by Martin Sugarman as part of the Hackney History Festival.

📅 Sunday 10 May
🕓 4:00pm
📍 Sutton House, Homerton High Street, E9

In 1917, during World War I, following significant lobbying, the British government agreed to the creation of a specifically Jewish fighting unit to serve against the Ottomans in what is now Israel. This marked a remarkable moment in Jewish history—only the second time since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD that an independent Jewish military unit had been formed.

Part of the Royal Fusiliers, these battalions included many recruits from Tower Hamlets and Hackney. Before deployment, half of the 38th Battalion marched through the East End and the City of London in a powerful show of identity and pride.

This talk uncovers the little-known story of that historic day.

To book tickets, please see the link in your newsletter or go to the Hackney History Festival website :)

07/04/2026

Travellers’ Tales, Where Have You Been?
Sunday 10th May, 2026
4:00 pm
This is your opportunity to share some memories of a particular place you have visited, here or abroad, which may have caught your imagination, or touched you deeply, or resonated with your aesthetic sensibilities or may have caught your attention for countless other reasons.

Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue are looking for contributions which are no more than 20 minutes and which will draw on visual images/photos to bring the locations alive.

The event will be combined with refreshments (tea, coffee and cakes)

Please let Robert Young know, if you would like to contribute, the link to do this and to buy tickets are in your newsletter.

03/04/2026

Monday 13th April, 2026
7:30 pm
Join Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue for a moving and meaningful evening of remembrance this Yom HaShoah.

🕯️ The Righteous Amongst the Nations
📅 13 April 2026 | 🕢 7:30PM
📍 Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue

Jo Kotas will share the extraordinary story of her grandmother, Helena Kotas—a woman of courage and compassion who risked everything to save a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust.

This powerful testimony reminds us of the impact one person can have in the face of unimaginable darkness.

The service will conclude with a candle-lighting ceremony to honour the memory of those who perished, and those who have no one left to remember them.

All are welcome, booking is essential, please use QR code or details in your newsletter

24/03/2026

Disraeli – Queen Victoria’s Favourite Prime Minister
Sunday 19th April, 2026
4:00 pm
The play written and performed by Jeff Rozelaar is in two 35 minute acts.

“We are all dreadfully disgusted at the prospect of a Jew for our Prime Minister.”

So declared Lady Palmerston when Benjamin Disraeli was given the keys to No.10 Downing Street. But he was to become one of the UK’s greatest political leaders, making a major impact on the course of history.

Performances to date:

In 2019 this one-man play was premiered professionally at The Old Court Theatre in Windsor in October of that year to a full audience. Following the pandemic, it has been performed professionally at a number of theatres and Synagogues, with one of the most recent performances on board the Cunard’s Queen Victoria (November 2025).

What people have said:

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain -

We have just had the most amazing one-man show at the Synagogue. Entitled "Disraeli - Queen Victoria's Favourite Prime Minister" it is both a superb script and is delivered wonderfully (plus he looks a little bit like Disraeli!). It held the live audience's rapt attention and was widely seen as one of the best performances we have ever had.

Venue: Function Hall, Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue, Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, IG2 7PL

Refreshments: (tea, coffee and cakes) to be served in the interval

Tickets: £10 (£5 for Under 19s)

Please see your newsletter on how to book

17/03/2026

Friendship Club
Sunday 12th April, 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Come and be part of a warm and welcoming afternoon at Friendship Club!

📅 Date: Sunday, 12th April 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
💷 Cost: £5.00 per person (includes entertainment and refreshments)

Enjoy time together with friends old and new while sharing tasty refreshments, lively entertainment, and plenty of good cheer. To add to the fun, there’s also a raffle with great prizes up for grabs!

Please let Sam in the office know you’ll be attending by Thursday 9th April.

We look forward to welcoming you!

16/03/2026

2026 Communal Seder!
Thursday 2nd April, 2026
6:00 pm
Join Rabbi Richard Jacobi and Rabbi David Hulbert for a meaningful celebration.

Date & Time: Thursday, 2nd April at 6:00 PM (Doors open 5:30 PM)
Venue: Clore Tikvah, 115 Fullwell Avenue, Ilford IG6 2JN
Parking: Limited onsite; street parking available
Disabled Access: Rear car park—please notify us in advance
Capacity: 110 members & guests
Nut-Free Venue: All food must be completely nut-free

🍽 Ritual foods and main meal provided for all guests

To reserve your place, contact Sam in the office.

Please provide:

Name of each person (adult or child) and ages of children
Meal selections listed next to each person’s name
Seating preferences with family/friends booking separately
Bookings close on 27th March!

Our High Holy Day appeal partner, the Leo Baeck Education Center in Haifa is once again on a war footing – educating, supporting, caring, sheltering many beyond its immediate community. From this week through to Pesach, we encourage you to donate to support LBEC’s wartime life-saving work.

15/03/2026

Reminder for tomorrow:
Monday 16th March, 2026
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

This is a reminder about the All Members’ Meeting regarding the building redevelopment:

At the meeting we will:

Share the approved planning application drawings

Outline the next steps in the redevelopment journey

Discuss how members can support and get involved

Hear your initial views on key elements including the Ark, bimah, AV & technology, security, kitchen, furnishings, and more

This is an important moment for ELELS, and your input is greatly valued as we shape our future home.

To confirm attendance (stating whether you will be there in person or via Zoom), please email Sam in the office.

27/02/2026

Purim 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/58bf6da530f6/ukraineappeal-6145474

Address

London

Telephone

+442089897619

Website

http://www.elels.org.uk/

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