Welcome message from our Rabbi

My name is Irit Shillor. I have been the rabbi of the Harlow Jewish Community since 2005 and now am the rabbi of the Harlow & Chelmsford Jewish Community. On behalf of our members and the council, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family and invite you to explore our website and what we do.

We were one of the first Jewish communities in Essex, established in 1952, and since then we have been serving and welcoming our members and friends from the local areas and beyond. Over the last 70 years, we have grown from a small community of a few Jewish families to a fully formed synagogue with its own premises that can today accommodate up to 140 people.

We offer a range of services to satisfy your spiritual and educational needs. We run regular Kabbalat Shabbat and Saturday morning services, provide Hebrew classes for beginners and regular Adult Education classes. We have a lively social programme, a friendly Cheder and provide pastoral care to those who need it.

In recent years our membership has grown to over 350 people reflecting the growth and development of the surrounding area. Today Essex and Hertfordshire continue to expand, and if you are interested in joining us we will be delighted to meet you.

We enjoy strong support from The Movement for Progressive Judaism in the UK and our local authority, Harlow Council.

We hope you enjoy getting to know us, and we are looking forward to hearing from you.