Pages to go to on this site

WELCOME TO HARROW & WEMBLEY PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUE

PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM FOR NORTH WEST LONDON

This is the home page for HWPS, an inclusive community, that welcomes all Jews and non-Jewish spouses and partners and their children.

 COME IN TO OUR NEW LIBRARY! ..........Next time you come to Bessborough Road why not pop in to our new library and take a look? It is open every day and provides a quiet haven of relaxation in a light, airy room. The Library, which adjoins our sanctuary, has been completely redecorated and refitted, and now houses an impressive selection of books on all Jewish topics. We also have an excellent selection of children's books. You will find many books not widely available so come on in and have a read!

Help the Shul! Buy your Judaica or any books or products through clicking on this link to Amazon and the Shul gets a contribution at no additional cost to you! 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HWPS is pleased to support applications from parents wishing to register their child for entry to a Jewish School.
Please contact admin@hwps.org for further information.

For a Diary of Events see below or click Here! 

For Legal and Administrative details click Here! 

For the latest news on our Members click Here!

Would you like a permanent memory to recall a loved one or to commemorate a happy occasion? If so, click here for details of how to contribute to the Synagogue's Tree of Life. 

To read the latest Bulletin on-line, click here! You can also read previous months' Hakols by visiting our Bulletin Archive!

Want to hire our Hall for a function of any sort? Very competitive rates and a fine hall with excellent kitchen and other facilities. Contact Barbara Liff at the Synagogue office on the phone the number below. For further details and a Lettings Guide click HERE!

'OUTREACH' - We are an inclusive community and welcome mixed faith couples and families to our 
community. The Rabbi also conducts acts of prayer at weddings for mixed faith couples, according to the guidelines of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference. Please contact Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith at the Synagogue (details below) for more information about questions involving Jewish status and acts of prayer.

39 Bessborough Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 3BS

Tel: 020 8864 5323

Email: info@hwps.org

Registered Charity No. 251172

CHANUKAH PARTY GREAT SUCCESS!.............. Over 100 members of HWPS and Middlesex New Synagogue joined in the fourth night Shabbat and Chanukah festivities at Bessborough Road. The event began at 4.00pm with a young children's party, including an entertainer, followed at 5.15pm by magic and tricks for the older kids. There was more fun and activities until 7.00pm when a joint Chanukah Family Service took place, followed by a Chavurah supper. A wonderful event enjoyed by all those who attended.

MITZVAH DAY! ..........On 20th November 2011 our Cheder took part in this annual event from which contributions are made across the Jewish community.  Pictured below are a number of our Cheder participants, together with a refugee, a victim of torture in his resident country.

NEW CHEDER YEAR STARTS!.....Pictured below in our Sukkah is the 2011 Cheder intake plus teachers. HWPS now runs a flourishing Cheder with Middlesex New Synagogue at Bessborough Road. If you would like your child to join the Cheder please contact the Synagogue Office on 8864-5323.

FIRST 'OFFSITE' HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES HELD..........Our High Holy Day services were held this year at the Masonic Lodge, Northwick Circle. The services were very successful and well attended. The surroundings may have been unfamiliar, but the atmosphere was as warm as ever. A wonderful first offsite set of Chaggim services, and another step forward in this new era for HWPS.

YOM KIPPUR APPEAL - On Saturday 8th October 2011, as part of our Yom Kippur morning service, Adrian Cohen, Chairman of HWPS, delivered the Appeal. This year our 3 main charities are the Jewish Association of Mental Illness (JAMI) (based in Golders Green), The New Israel Fund (which helps to secure long-term survival for all Israel's citizens), and, St Luke's Hospice (self funding its high standards of palliative care). We also will continue to support the Progressive Congregations of Ukraine. Please be generous, even in these difficult economic times, so we can give good support to these 4 selected and most worthwhile main charities, with a little held back for other worthy charities through the year. Many thanks in advance to everyone who donates. Every donation, large or small, is much appreciated. For copies of this and previous Appeals click HERE. For a Gift Aid form to increase the value of your donation, if you are a tax payer, click HERE. It is not too late to give. Please send donations to the Synagogue Office.

OUR HONOURED CHATANIM for SIMCHAT TORAH 2011 were Harold Sanderson (Chatan Torah) and Rosemary Wolfson (Chatan Bereshit). Mazel Tov to them both. At our Simchat Torah services on 19th and 20th October Harold and Rosemary read the end of the Book of Deuteronomy and the start of the Book of Genesis. (Soft!) sweets were thrown! The scrolls were paraded, and there was also Israeli dancing! Lots of food and sweets at the Kiddush afterwards as well!

COME IN TO OUR NEW LIBRARY! ..........Next time you come to Synagogue at Bessborough Road why not pop in to our new library and take a look? Better still, it is open every day and provides a quiet haven of relaxation in a light, airy room. The Library, which adjoins our sanctuary, has been completely redecorated and refitted, and now houses an impressive selection of books on all Jewish topics. We also have an excellent selection of children's books. You will find many books not widely available so come on in and have a read!

HWPS LOTTERY GOING GREAT GUNS!.....Congratulations to our latest winner, Senga Coburn. For just £5.00 a month you too can be entered in the monthly draw and win £100! To join ring the Synagogue office or email Michelle Latchman at michellelatchman@btinternet.com.

FIRST SERVICES HELD AT BESSBOROUGH ROAD ..........Our first Shabbat services were held at our new home on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th June. The sanctuary comfortably accommodated all those who attended. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly, with the strong and willing participation of all congregants. A wonderful start to this new era in the history of HWPS.

IN JUNE WE MOVED!.......FROM 326 TO 39!.......At the end of June 2011 HWPS sold its old building at 326 Preston Road. We now occupy a dedicated sanctuary and offices at 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow, pictured above. 

Pictured above are highlights of the move on 12th June 2011, from the deconsecration of Preston Road and the removal of the mezzuzah, the parade of the scrolls to the waiting Routemaster bus, the Chuppah style reception at Bessborough Road, and taking the scrolls upstairs to our new sanctuary, after which the mezzuzah was banged into place on the door of our new home.  

A farewell service and Kiddush at Preston Road, pictured above,  was held on Saturday 11th June, attended by over 200 people. Our scrolls were transported on 12th June to their new home. A consecration service at Bessborough Road was then held, also attended by over 200, including the Mayor of Harrow.

A farewell dinner took place at 326 Preston Road that evening, at which Rosita Rosenberg, former Executive Director of Liberal Judaism and HWPS member, was the excellent guest speaker. It was also attended by 7 Rabbis, pictured below, including Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism.  

 These are changing, but exciting times at HWPS with great hope for our future, and for that of Progressive Judaism in Harrow and Wembley.

LAST FESTIVAL SERVICE HELD AT PRESTON ROAD ..........Our Erev Shavuot service held on Tuesday 7th June was our last of the Chagim to take place at our old address. It included a Token Tikkun on the Subject of 'Journeys', as well as some lovely cheesecake! 

JOINT BRONZE FOR HWPS QUIZ TEAM......The Liberal Judaism annual quiz was this year held in deepest Kingston, who won last (and this!) year. Our intrepid team all made it there on time (just, in the case of our captain, Alan Hunt, who got stuck in Greenford!). We were lying second after 9 closely fought rounds, and a marathon round of pictures of famous sites and music lyrics. But the final current affairs round took us down to a joint third finish. Do you know the year when Germany's nuclear power stations are now to be de-commissioned? We said 2020, but were wrong! How old is Rafael Nadal after his recent birthday? We said 24, but were wrong! This meant Elstree crept above us to finish second and it is they who will host next year's quiz, so a slightly quicker journey to get there! Thanks to the team, which, as well as Alan, comprised Jackie and Anthony Guter, John Matlin, Debbie Rosewicz, and Danielle and Steven Sanderson.

SUCCESSFUL FIRST JOINT COMMUNAL SEDER WITH MNS.........Over 100 people attended the first joint HWPS/MNS Seder held at Bessborough Road on 19th April. The service was led by Rabbis Frank Dabba Smith and Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton from a specially prepared Haggadah, and was enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks especially go to Hana Schlesinger, our Rites and Practices Chair, for all her hard work and for getting the joint Seders off to a great start. We look forward to joint Seder number 2 this year!

GREAT CONCERT! - HWPS, together with Lily Montagu House held a Joint Fundraising Concert to a full house on Sunday

 12th December 2010. It was a lovely afternoon of entertainment with a delicious tea! Thanks to all who participated in, and organised, a wonderful event.

KABBALAT TORAH GRADUATION!......On the 11th December 2010, following their visit to Berlin in August, our Kabbalat Torah class led the service and addressed a large congregation, telling us about their trip, both of the places they visited and of their personal experiences.  They are pictured below at the Kiddush afterwards with our Rabbi. Mazel Tov to them all. 

E.G.M. - ALMOST UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT TO SELL FREEHOLD.........On Sunday 26th September 2010 over 100 people attended an Extraordinary General Meeting of HWPS.  The vote of approval for the sale of the freehold of 326 Preston Road was almost unanimous, with just one vote against. 3 months later contracts were exchanged on 13th December 2010, followed by completion of the sale at the end of June 2011 and the move to our new home at Bessborough Road. These are challenging, but exciting times as we embark on a new beginning in this next phase of Harrow & Wembley’s development!


 13 YEARS.....13 YEARS...RABBI FRANK'S BAR-MITZVAH!...On Shabbat morning, 24th July 2010, 150 people commemorated  the 13th anniversary of our Rabbi's appointment as the spiritual leader of HWPS. This was a special service, followed by a celebratory Kiddush. A presentation was made to Frank of a replica 'Ernst Leitz' street sign on behalf of the community, to mark this milestone. Frank and his wife Cathy are pictured below with Chairman, Adrian Cohen and Synagogue Secretary, Barbara Liff, and his gift!

Ernst Leitz was the German Creator of the Leica Camera who also saved hundreds of Jews from the Nazis. As early as 1933 and continuing as late as 1943, Leitz quietly established what has become known as the "Leica Freedom Train", a covert means of allowing his Jewish employees, their families, and even non-Jews to leave Germany under the guise of being 'assigned' overseas Rabbi Frank's enthusiasm for Leica cameras led him to research Leitz's wartime  altruism.

News....News.....Would you like to make a donation or legacy to the future of the Synagogue?  Please send a cheque to the Synagogue office. Gift Aid forms are also available from the office, which can increase the value of your donations by 28p for every £ you give. As HWPS is a registered charity, a legacy is exempt from Inheritance Tax and will be deducted from your estate before IHT is calculated. If you would like to leave a legacy to future generations, please click here. Your donation at this time would be greatly appreciated.

News.....News.....A Synagogue dedication service was held back on 5th September 2004 when we moved from our original building at Preston Road to our new building there. For images of how our building evolved click here! Now we have moved again, to our new home at Bessborough Road. Pictures from that move are shown further up of the page!

On 24th July 2004 the Synagogue bade farewell to its former building. The pictures below capture the final service and kiddush. This building is no more and a sheltered housing development was constructed there, in which some of our members reside. 

To return to the top of the page click HERE

If you want to find out more about Harrow and Wembley or have any questions please contact us or write to the Secretary or the Rabbi at the address below; or you could email the Rabbi.