Synagogue to open new café and private prayer facility
M
embers of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue soon won’t have far to go for a cup of tea as a café is due to open at Easter. Rabbi Aaron Goldstein explained that the room will be much more than just a café. He explained: “There will be a small sanctuary there in the winter so it means we can offer an intimate prayer experience rather than being swamped in the main hall. The room will also house the library. There will be a café but not a barista style café – hopefully the quality will still be excellent.” Rabbi Goldstein stressed that, in an increasingly secular country, being Jewish is about much more than simply the religion. He added: “Being part of a people also includes the social, cultural and sporting aspects. We are also starting up a table tennis club because people who are Jewish want to gather and play table tennis. It will be somewhere where our members can get together.
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Work has begun on the community room which will become a café and house the library
We are not seeking to compete with the high street, we want to promote the synagogue and encourage members to use the facilities. “We’re trying to make it a bit more home. This is somewhere that teenagers could meet up after school to socialise but we can also provide programming for them as well. The elderly can come and sit down to enjoy a social with friends.” Later in the year, the synagogue will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on March 1 with a civic service which will be open to members of the public. Rabbi Goldstein said: “This our way to celebrate the Jewish community existing and thriving in Northwood for the last half a century and we hope local people will come and celebrate with us.” by Tim Green