Mosaic Jewish Community in Stanmore, north-west London, is a unique venture bringing together three differing strands of Jewish life into a single community.
The three synagogues are Mosaic Reform led by Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton, Mosaic Liberal led by Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and Mosaic Masorti led by Rabbi Anthony Lazarus Magrill, all now sharing a purpose-built centre in Stanmore Hill. Special foundation bricks engraved with the words Torah, Service and Good deeds, representing fundamental principles of Judaism, were laid at the site as work commenced on the building in 2021.
The custom-designed building provides the space for each of the synagogues to conduct their own services simultaneously, maintaining their rituals and individuality. With flexible state-of-the-art facilities and high-spec audio-visual systems, the many different-sized spaces can be configured to host community, cultural and social events. Mosaic Culture Hub provides a wide-ranging cultural programme of music, arts, and entertainment, led by Mosaic Reform President Jane Prentice and a wonderful team of members across all three synagogues who truly represent the ethos of the community.
The full events schedule is online, including “Meet the Author” monthly lunchtime sessions, film evenings, multicultural events, quizzes and special events such as the Mosaic inaugural interfaith Jazz Psalms for Peace evening and the Music of Jewish Origin (MOJO) concert. https://choosemosaic.org/whats-on/events/
Another first for Mosaic is its pluralistic religion school HaMakom (“The Place”) covering all three synagogues, educating children and young adults in Progressive Judaism. HaMakom offers a stimulating and enjoyable programme with a strong connection to community. For children from four to 18 there is a wide and grounded Jewish education, enabling them to study for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah in a way that complements each community. They can also continue their education through Mosaic’s unique secondary programme.
Mosaic also has a Development Rabbi, Anna Wolfson, who works on projects for members of all ages across the different denominations. These range from services and a drop-in for babies and pre-school children, to a friendship club with lunch and entertainment for older members. There are also Friday night dinners for members and guests in their 20s and 30s. Other initiatives include a new musical service, learning opportunities such as adult Bnei Mitzvah and an all-night Tikkun Leil, which was shared with four other local communities and which Mosaic hopes will become an annual tradition.
Mosaic’s long-standing active involvement with the Board of Deputies includes:
Entertaining the last three Presidents’ of the Board, Vivian Wineman and Jonathan Arkush, while Middlesex New Synagogue in Harrow, and Marie van der Zyl recently at Mosaic’s new site in Stanmore.
The London Borough of Harrow is one of the capital’s most ethnically and religiously diverse localities and Mosaic Jewish Community is proud to support and encourage interfaith communication and co-operation across the region.
For inquiries about joining Mosaic, hosting functions or events at our Stanmore Hill site or to ask about any aspect of its religious and cultural programmes, visit the website www.choosemosaic.org or call the office on 020 8864 0133.