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One snowy weekend in 1990, a group of curious Jews from all parts of Kent, all strangers to one another, met in Rochester to listen to speakers from the Union of Liberal and Progressive
Synagogues (now known as Liberal Judaism) talking about their Outreach Programme and the possibility of starting a new congregation in Kent.
The first tentative steps were taken with the support and encouragement of Rosita Rosenberg, then Executive Director of the ULPS, Gerry Dixon z’l, Rabbi Bernard Hooker z’l, Monique Blake (who is
happily still active at Liberal Judaism HQ) and others. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their inspiration, steadfastness and support through early trials and uncertainties.
A General Meeting on 17th November 1991 passed the resolution formally setting up the Community.
Since then we have developed steadily. We now have a faithful and committed membership of around 50, a high proportion of whom attends our monthly Shabbat services, regularly led by our thoughtful, thought-provoking and charming Ba’alat Tefillah (Lay Reader), Beverley Taylor. Beverley also conducts our High Holyday services. Before Beverley, we enjoyed services taken by a variety of Student Rabbis, Lay Readers and senior members of the Community, and we still welcome visiting speakers from time to time. A frequent visitor in recent years has been Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Liberal Judaism’s lively Outreach Director.
We now hold most of our services at a regular venue in central Maidstone, chosen because it is easily accessible from all parts of the county, but we’ve
also held services in different school and village halls and members’ homes. We have our own Torah with its wonderful vestments housed in its portable Ark, all made or donated by members.
We have held Bar and Bat Mitzvot for youngsters as well as an adult.
We have welcomed members who were undergoing tuition, who have become knowledgeable converts. We have had baby-naming ceremonies and funerals - we just require a wedding to complete all the rites of passage! In addition to a flourishing Cheder, we have held various adult lessons and discussion groups over the years. We have the beginnings of a library with a small collection of books. Our monthly Newsletter is the envy of many other congregations.
The various Committees over the years have worked hard to ensure that we are able to pay our way, have a lively social calendar, enjoy the annual communal Seder and
meet the needs of the community as required. Our constitution has been revised and we have good working relationships with other Jewish communities in Kent, particularly the Chatham Memorial Synagogue.
We look forward to the future with confidence.
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