The Brighton and Hove Hillel Committee has bought a £350,000 building to be used as a drop-in centre for Jewish students.

The centre, which is at the rear of Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation’s Grade II* listed synagogue, will include a lounge, library, separate meat and milk kitchens, washing and sleeping facilities, meeting room, small synagogue and dining room for 40 people.

The committee has purchased the 99-year lease but Roger Abrahams, trustee for the building project, said that much work is needed to modernise the premises. The last Hillel House closed two years ago and JSoc chairman, Aviva Goller, said that students were looking forward to holding Shabbat dinners at the new centre.

Hillel chairman, Aileen Hill, said: “Ultimately our new centre will serve as a meeting place not only for JSoc but also for all the Jewish students in the area.”
The new centre, which will have disabled access, will be open by the next academic year.