Chief Rabbi opens Chigwell’s magnificent refurbishment

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, accompanied by Lord Alan Sugar, fixes the mezuzah in the main entrance at the rededication of Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, accompanied by Lord Alan Sugar, fixes the mezuzah in the main entrance of Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue

By Manny Robinson

STUNNING!

That’s the one word which describes the £1.2million refurbished Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue in Limes Avenue. There appears little doubt that it could – and should – become a magnificent centre for the local Orthodox Jewish community.

The beautifully designed synagogue itself has plush, comfortable seats, and an impressive area to house the Sifrei Torah. The ladies’ gallery offers excellent views of the services, too.

Enhanced facilities have also been created for the on-site nursery and a variety of classrooms for other educational and communal purposes.

The building project had taken around 20 months. The community’s financial donations (from more than 1,000 people) were matched by the family of Lord and Lady Sugar, while the United Synagogue also made a contribution.

The site will now be known as The Sugar Community Campus and the synagogue itself will be the Lord and Lady Sugar Community Hall.

The opening of the newly rededicated, refurbished and remodelled synagogue was, in fact, a double celebration with the synagogue’s senior rabbinic couple Rabbi Rafi and Rebbetzin Chaya Goodwin formally installed into office.

Guests of honour among the 450 people at the celebratory event included Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE, Lord and Lady Sugar along with their family, the synagogue’s former senior rabbinic couple Rabbi Baruch and Rebbetzin Nechama Davis, and many other local clergy.

In his address, the Chief Rabbi expanded on the importance of celebrating new beginnings, noting both the new building and the rabbinic couple. He said: “By celebrating commencement we celebrate the future and noting the opportunities and dreams that lie ahead.”

The Essex Jewish News also spent some hours in the new community hall, now named the Johnny and Minnie Simmons Hall. It is much larger than the old one, with a fresher feel and plenty of room for any kind of celebration.

Our visit there was with Chigwell and Hainault JACS who had used the synagogue for many years, but had to relocate elsewhere while the building work was going on. Everyone at JACS was delighted and impressed by the new space.

Colin Franklin, the synagogue’s chair, thanked all those whose drive made the project happen and paid tribute to the generous donation made by Lord and Lady Sugar.

He said: ‘This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It is an investment in the very heart of our community – in the place where we gather, where we learn and where we celebrate.”

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin addresses the community after officially taking office
Rabbi Rafi Goodwin addresses the community after officially taking office

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