Mosaic marks its first birthday
Nearly 200 people from three synagogues turned out to celebrate the first birthday of the innovative Mosaic Jewish Community.
The 1200-member community comprising Mosaic Reform, (formerly Middlesex New) Mosaic Liberal (which has just changed its name from Harrow and Wembley Progressive) and Hatch End Masorti – is unique in including three different denominations of British-Jewry.
It puts the new pluralist community among the UK’s 20 largest shuls.
Harry Grant, former chairman of Mosaic Reform and the MJC’s first chairman, said: “This has been an exciting year. We have managed to create something quite special and the envy of two or three other communities who are very curious to know what we have achieved.
“People don’t find it easy to accept change, but the concept of what we have achieved here has manifested itself extremely well through through the many different activities we have done together.
“There have been birth pains and at times it has been a challenge. But it has been a trailblazing exercise. It has been a pleasure to be part of it.”
Describing the new community, which came to fruition after four years of work, Phil Austin, chair of the steering group that spearheaded the project and MJC’s vice-chair, said: “It’s a nice feeling making new friends. Goodwill and respect is very important and we have got something greater than the individual parts.”
Members were told a new site is still being actively sought to satisfy all the communities’ needs.
Rabbis Frank Dabba Smith, Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton and Paul Arberman, from all three shuls were present.
All the officers were returned unopposed, save for education director, which will be appointed at a later date. A first birthday cake was dished out to all members at the first AGM, held at Bessborough Road, Harrow on Sunday 17 May.
Pictured, left to right: Neil Mendoza, HEMS chairman, Rabbi Paul Arberman, HEMS rabbi, Barbara Grant, Mosaic Reform chair, Harry Grant, Mosaic chair, Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith, HWPS rabbi, Rabbi Kathleen Middleton, Mosaic Reform rabbi and Adrian Cohen, HWPS chair.
