Chief Rabbi dedicates a new shul building by the sea

The light-filled main prayer hall is framed by a series of stained-glass windows, many of which recreate those from the former Wootton Gardens synagogue, providing a visual link between the congregation's past and present.

The new ark is opened (Photo: Daniel Ben-David)[Missing Credit]

At its heart stands the ark, positioned towards Jerusalem, and concealed behind a bespoke curtain, whose bold palette draws inspiration from the sunsets that illuminate Bournemouth's shoreline. Fireproof and theft proof, the Ark is flanked by decorative metal doors that can be closed to shield it from view and also conceal the white curtain traditionally used during High Holy Days.

Next to the main sanctuary are separate meat and parev kitchens, storage facilities, offices, an additional prayer hall, dedicated educational spaces and flexible rooms for communal activities and gatherings.

The community packed the synagogue's prayer hall on Sunday for the ceremony, which, in addition to the Chief Rabbi, was attended by a number of civic dignitaries. Among those present were Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Edinburgh Edward Green, who has a home in the coastal town, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes, and BCP Council leader Councillor Millie Earl.

Addressing the Dorset town’s congregation, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “The greatest ingredient of the Bournemouth community’s success over the years has been people.”

Bournemouth, he said, “is such a popular and lovely place, but it’s wonderful not just because of its location and the facilities that this marvellous, terrific building provides; it is so because of the people here. It’s the people who count, and you’ve got them. We’re spoiled to have a community of such great calibre.”

Celebrations at Bournemouth Community Hebrew Congregation's new building dedication (Photo: Daniel Ben-David)[Missing Credit]

The day's proceedings included the ceremonial opening and closing of the ark, the singing of the Israeli and British national anthems, and prayer, including those for Israel, King Charles and the Royal Family, as well as for the armed forces of both nations.

The community also gifted the Chief Rabbi a handcrafted wine coaster, made in the colours associated with the seaside. “The coaster will remind me of the wonderful community by the coast,” the Chief Rabbi said, “and the kiddush will remind me of this holy congregation.”

Bettina Gould, chair of BCHC, told the JC that this was a moment that would “be remembered for generations to come”.

“There is tremendous excitement for our new chapter, and for us all to witness this part of our congregation’s history.”

She continued: “Our new shul represents far more than bricks and mortar. It stands as a symbol of continuity, faith, resilience and the determination of a community that believed in its future.”

The community’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Alan Lewis, told the JC it had been “heart-wrenching” to leave the community’s “beautiful former home, where generations of families prayed, socialised, did everything together”. But the move, he said, offered “our kehillah an incredibly exciting new chapter”.

“Today we celebrate not only the consecration of a new building – and what a building it is – but the continuity of our community and the strength of our faith. This will be a place that welcomes every Jew, no matter how religious, and every human being,” he said.

Rabbi Alan Lewis speaks to Bournemouth Community Hebrew Congregation (Photo: Daniel Ben-David)[Missing Credit]

Anne Filer, former mayor and deputy mayor of the town, as well as a councillor, has been a member of the community since she was born, 81 years ago.

She said: “It was so emotional to be here today, and to see what a wonderful space they have created. They haven’t cut off the past; they’ve kept it and moved forward to the present.

“I, and I know everyone else, feel very privileged to have witnessed this today. I think it was absolutely fabulous, amazing. And I really praise the visionaries [who made the move possible]. There was so much history in Wootton Gardens, but now we are going to create a new history.”

Jonathan Marriott, the day’s master of ceremonies and the refurbishment's project co-manager, said it was a “culmination of a year of hard work”. His grandparents moved to Bournemouth during the war and opened the famous Green Park kosher hotel, which once stood less than 100 metres from where the community’s new shul now sits.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to be involved with this project,” he said. “I felt driven to continue the family’s legacy by helping the shul on this momentous journey. I’m so glad my parents are here today to see this wonderful new beginning.”

The interior of the new building for Bournemouth Community Hebrew Congregation (Photo: Daniel Ben-David)[Missing Credit]

Stephen White, senior trustee of BCHC and a community member since the 1980s, said the old building’s location in the middle of town was a longer walk for most of the community, who, by and large, lives around East Cliff.

“We’ve been looking for somewhere to go for effectively 20 years,” he said. “We are absolutely delighted we have now made the move to a place that has been so immediately cosy and comfortable for everyone, and that is important because that’s what’s going to bring people in.

“The building itself is very beautiful, but more than that, it doesn’t feel only like a shul; it feels like home.”