Location

Bushey Community is located on the outskirts of London, approximately 14 miles from the centre. It is a residential suburb of London with a high proportion of Jewish people. The communities of Stanmore, Edgware, Radlett and Elstree are close neighbours. See map attached.

Contact

The synagogue address is 177-189 Sparrows Herne, Bushey , Hertfordshire WD23 1AJ,

phone number 0044 208 950 7340

fax 0044 208 421 8267

email administrator@busheyus.org

and website http://www.busheyus.org

History

The Community in Bushey started around 1960 when there were around 10 Jewish families in the area. Over the past 40 years it has grown rapidly as families moved into the area and it became an attractive place to live. Today there are approximately 1,000 Jewish families who are members of Bushey Synagogue, living in and around the Bushey area.

Transport Links

Bushey is approximately 30 minutes travel by car from Heathrow and Luton Airports and 1 ½ hours from Gatwick and Stanstead Airports. The London underground stations of Stanmore and Edgware are a short bus ride away and take approximately 40 minutes to travel into Central London.

Religious Identity

The community is an Orthodox one, positioned between the ultra religious and the reform viewpoint. It is a member of the United Synagogue.

Rabbi

Rabbi Meir Salasnik is the full time Rabbi for the community and his wife Judy supports a number of groups. The new Youth Director is Rabbi Johnny Spector and his wife Danielle.

Synagogue Services

Morning and evening services are held every day in the main Synagogue building.

Local Schools

Immanuel College is a Jewish School in Bushey for children from 11 to 18. Visits can be arranged by appointment. Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Radlett is nearby, as are Sinai Jewish Primary School and JFS.

There are a wide range of Community activities in Bushey, including the following:

Kindergarten

The Gan Aviv kindergarten is located within the Synagogue building and attracts children from 3 to 7, every weekday from 9.00am to 3.15pm.

Gan Katan

Pre Kindergarten group for children aged 2, held in the BYS building 3 mornings a week.

Mother & Toddlers

For mothers with young children, who meet every Thursday morning.

Cheder

The Cheder is part of Bushey Synagogue and approximately 180 children aged 5 to 13 attend each Sunday morning between 9:45 and 12:45. There are 10 classes of boys and girls and the curriculum includes Jewish Festivals, History, and Israel as well as learning to read and write Hebrew.

Adult Education

Bushey has an active Adult Education program, which arrange talks with guest speakers, covering a wide variety of topics, both religious and communal.

55+ Friendship Club

The club provides a forum and meeting place for members of the community aged over 55. They meet every Monday afternoon in the Shul and a splendid tea usually follows their program.

Bnai Akiva

This group meets every Shabbat afternoon for games, discussions and fun and attracts children from 5 to 12.

Federation of Zionist Youth

This group meets in the Shul every Wednesday evening and is aimed at children from 14 to 18. They discuss all matters relating to Israel and Zionism.

Bushey Israel Committee

This committee is headed by Debra Kalms and Laurence Finger who oversee all aspects of the Twinning program with Kerem Ben Zimra. It meets monthly and works closely with the UJIA. Contact Laurence on laurencefinger@hotmail.com

Community Care

Unfortunately, there are a number of members in the community who need practical , emotional or financial assistance and this group provide help on a confidential basis.

Israel - Bushey Exchange

It is hoped to establish a group to organise an exchange program for children between our two communities, so that children can spend time living and experiencing the other country.

Young Marrieds

For young, recently married couples who wish to join a new social group.

Bridge and Card Club

Meet every Tuesday for Bridge, Kalooki and other card games.

Ladies Guild

The Ladies Guild assist all other groups within the community and become involved in numerous activities.

League of Jewish Women

The League deliver meals on wheels, undertake home and hospital visits and organise help for the older, less able members of the community.

Media

Marcel Beller runs a media awareness group, highlighting items in the national and international press, television and radio relating to Israel.

Bushey Forum Magazine

Willy Morgan produces a quarterly magazine that is circulated to every member of the community and includes a wide range of articles.

Show Group

The group produces shows for the community and entertains in residential homes. Shows include singing and dancing and meet every Wednesday evening for rehearsals.

SEED

This a one-to-one learning project with separate groups for men and women. The sessions are organised by Rabbi Salasnik and his wife Judy.

Adar 5764 - March 2004