Matt Lucas took on the role of genial quizmaster at a fundraiser in Elstree on Sunday in aid of the Alan Senitt Trust and Northwick Park hospital radio station.
The Little Britain star's appearance helped to attract a 300 capacity crowd. He is a patron of the trust, set up by the Senitt family in memory of the young Jewish activist and interfaith worker who was murdered in America four years ago. Mr Lucas also knows the Senitts well from his younger days at Edgware Reform Synagogue.
He spoke of the loss felt by the community at Mr Senitt's passing.
The funeral of a five-year-old Borehamwood girl who died suddenly last week was held at Bushey cemetery on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Hertfordshire Coroners office opened and adjourned an inquest into the death of Hanna Collins.
Former Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue minister Rabbi Alan Plancey, who officiated at the funeral, said Hanna's parents, Claudia and Andrew, were "devastated. They are a loving and caring couple. We have to give them every support we can."
Talks to bring Blackpool's two dwindling congregations under one roof have broken down.
Meetings were held over a 12 month period between the town's Orthodox and Reform synagogues with a view to both operating from the Reform shul's building in Raikes Parade. The United Hebrew Congregation's Grade II listed building is 100 yards away in Leamington Road.
"We would like it to happen if it can come about," said Reform president Leon Tax.
"We want to find some way of bringing the two communities together." The Reform shul "is larger than we need and maintenance is an issue".
A shul-based independent nursery has been criticised by Ofsted following an unannounced visit prompted by concerns raised by a parent.
Ofsted found that the Little Bicks premises at Ohr Yisroel (Federation) Synagogue in Elstree "were not secure and an intruder could enter". It further could not "evidence that there was always a suitable manager working on a day-to-day basis".
There was mixed news this week for the Orthodox community in Borehamwood over the establishment of a local eruv, enabling observant Jews to carry or push items on Shabbat.
Although the eruv poles have now been ordered, local campaign leaders warned that "a few hurdles" had still to be overcome, three months after the project was given the green light by Hertsmere Council.
"It is imminent," promised a spokesman for the eruv trustees this week, albeit without giving even an approximate date for the eruv becoming operational.
Hertsmere Jewish Primary’s first headteacher is retiring after 11 years in the post.
Michele Bazak took charge at the Radlett school when it opened in 1999 with 80 pupils. It now has 480 pupils and 75 staff.
“It has been a real privilege to be the first headteacher,” Mrs Bazak said. “It gave me the opportunity to build a school with my own vision and to build a team of educators who could provide a wonderful education.
Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue is to appoint an associate rabbi to extend religious, educational and pastoral services to the growing community of 1,300 families.
Shul chair Anthony Arnold said the appointment was “something that has long been needed and is essential to the continued growth, support and development of our members”. It was “an opportunity to build a rabbinic team of diverse personalities and talents that in combination will be twice as effective”.
The Elstree-based Happy Puzzle Company was bemused after the Guardian took a crack at one of its board games, called Thought Exchange, for giving Israel’s capital as Jerusalem. That’s a matter of diplomatic dispute, the paper carped.
A Happy Puzzle spokesman said that “thousands and thousands” of the game had been sold but just one caller had raised the issue. As for Jerusalem’s capital status, he explained: “We went by the Times Atlas. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us.”
