Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

On the 24th of November 1980 at The Bowls Chigwell Essex, which was the home of Harry Goldsmith a past chairman of South West Essex Reform Synagogue, a meeting was held with a view to starting a branch congregation in the Woodford/Buckhurst Hill/Loughton area.

Various senior members of SWERS were present including Rabbis Henry Goldstein and Howard Cooper also David Barnett Chairman of the Congregational Development Committee of the R.S.G.B. There were a further 21 other people present who had by attending expressed an interest in a new congregation.

On the 12th December 1980 a trial Service was held at the Bowls. This service was attended by among others Frank & Helen Godson, Sue Barnett, Shirley Dove, Ruth & Clive Bayard, Lorna & Phil Reed. These people were to become the Founders of the community. The first meeting of the Steering Committee met as planned on the 8th January 1981 in Buckhurst Hill.

The first priority was to find suitable accommodation in which to hold services also Harry Goldsmith & Frank Godson were asked to act as joint co-chairman of the Steering Committee. When it came to naming the community the Founders felt that to call it Buckhurst Hill Reform Synagogue would not help us to gain members in Chigwell, Loughton, Woodford etc. We therefore came up with the all embracing and what was to become the totally confusing name of "Epping Forest & District Reform Synagogue". As most people thought we were based in Epping we changed the name eventually to "Buckhurst Hill Reform Synagogue". The synagogue remained at Bedford House for about 15 years.

During the next 2 years Rabbi Howard Cooper became part time rabbi for the community and we continued to hold regular Shabbat services at Bedford House, Buckhurst Hill Essex. The community continued to grow, and 27 years later in the year 2008 we have over 300 adult and 100 children as members.

Over the years we have been lucky to have had many rabbis working with us both as students and rabbis. Rabbi Howard Cooper, Rabbi Alex Wright, Rabbi Michael Hilton, Rabbi Sheila Shulman, Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah, Rabbi Jonathon Black and Rabbi David Hulbert. In recent years we purchased the old chapel building and annex at the site of the old Wanstead Hospital in Wanstead. This beautiful building has now been renovated and restored to a very high standard using a grant from English Heritage and the Heritake Lotter Fund. Of course this move meant that the name of the synagogue once again did not fit its location. "Wanstead Reform Synagogue" did not appeal any more so we adopted our Hebrew name of "Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue" Its English translation of "Shelter of Peace" is fairly indicative these days of the mood within its walls.

We have developed into a friendly, family orientated synagogue and the Founders and early members can be truly proud of what they have created