This Q & A compilation will be updated regularly to keep all members fully up to date with the plans and progress.  If you have any questions or suggestions please contact the chair or one of the rabbis of your community.

 

Q: What is the vision for a new, merged community?

 

A: Put simply, we believe we can do much more for the Jewish community in our area by working together rather than separately, bringing together the strengths of each congregation. We have a shared vision of a Jewish community centre as well as a spiritual centre, providing inspiring and engaging progressive Jewish religious services and learning opportunities, Jewish culture in its myriad forms, as well as social space; indeed a Progressive Jewish home for the large population of Jews of all ages in the area. 

 

Q: What happens to my traditions and way of worship?

I've been coming to services for years. I'm comfortable with our liturgy, I know our melodies and I like how we do things. Will I still feel at home in this new community? Can I still use my familiar siddur? Will our specific customs survive?

 

A:  During the collaboration phase, we’ll continue with our regular services both in Radlett and in Elstree - still joining together for some weekday festival services and events as we have done in the past. Our rabbis have already started taking turns to lead services at either synagogue. Both communities are Progressive which means that our services (liturgy, melodies, customs) have always changed a bit, even week to week! We’re nurturing what we already have in common as well as our diversity, and seeing how we might evolve together. There is no reason not to continue to have two or more parallel services (with different liturgies) as we currently do, even if we are one merged community on one site. Perhaps just as important will be the opportunity for fresh alternative services as well as our regular services for those who enjoy those.

 

Q: Why merge now? What's the urgency?

Is this about financial survival? Are we failing somehow? I thought we were doing fine. And if it's about money, are we just postponing the inevitable?

 

A: Both communities are financially strong. There is no urgency as such, but the timelines are to some extent driven by Radlett’s plans for building development and TLSE’s plans for community development after the appointment of their Director of Community Development, Rabbi Anna Wolfson. We are initially collaborating, targeting a merger to the benefit of both communities to make 2+2=5.

 

Q:  Will I lose my community?

I have my friends here, my support network. We know each other. We've shared simchas and losses together. Will this all get lost in a bigger organisation?

 

A: No, we will just have more options available to us, which is to the benefit of all. A community is made up of people – our friends, people we have known for a longer time and people we have only just met. We can keep our friends and also make new ones!

 

Q. Are there any real differences between Reform and Liberal?

What are the theological, liturgical and practical differences? How will decisions be made when we disagree? Who gets the final say on religious matters?

 

A: RRS and TLSE are already close in terms of these matters. Our rabbis all qualified at the same college and they, as a combined team, will have the say on all religious matters, supported by the R&P/Ritual team. Nationally, variations in practice between different Progressive synagogues are often more about the character, culture and location of the particular community than about whether they are labelled ‘Liberal’ or ‘Reform’. Over time our new community will undoubtedly (continue to) develop its own, shared ways of doing things.

 

Q: Is this just RRS absorbing TLSE (or vice versa)?

RRS as the larger community might naturally dominate, particularly if we combine on the Radlett site. How do I know this is truly a merger of equals?

 

A: When it comes to a decision on a merger, it’s a joint decision. The five Working Groups are made up with equal representation from each community, and the final merger will require approval from both communities. Both are committed to genuine partnership, not a ‘takeover’, so that we build on the heritage and strengths of each community.

 

Q: What about our Rabbi?

I have a relationship with my Rabbi. They know my family, they've been there for us. Will they still be my Rabbi?

 

A: Our rabbis will still be here for us but we will all enjoy the benefit of an enhanced, stronger Rabbinic team and the continuity that comes with that. Already you may have seen the five rabbinic colleagues co-leading services and participating in activities at both synagogues and building relationships across our combined community.

 

Q: Will my voice still matter?

In my own community, I know I can influence decisions. I can speak at AGMs. People listen. Will I just be one voice among many in a larger congregation?

 

A: Your voice is crucial. We want to know how you feel about our joint activities. We’d welcome your input in our working groups. The purpose of merging is for there to be more activity, more opportunity for involvement, more potential to grow in the way you would like in the future.

 

Q: What if we eventually decide not to merge?

What's Plan B? Is this irreversible? What protections are in place if things go wrong?

 

A: We’re at the beginning of a project of closer collaboration, which benefits us regardless of a future merger decision. But there won’t be a full merger without your support. Once the merger takes place (if it does) then we believe the potential for the combined community will be even greater, but if it doesn’t happen what we will have lost will be an exciting opportunity.

 

Q: What happens to our building/location?

I chose to join this synagogue partly because of its location. If we eventually consolidate to one site, how will that decision be made? Will I have to travel further?

 

A: There will be no changes to our two sites at Elstree and Radlett while we collaborate. All our services, social, cultural and community events are open to members of both RRS and TLSE and so we hope it will increasingly feel like we are a community with the benefit of two homes. Neither of our buildings are perfect today, so one of the Working Groups is looking at our buildings requirements and will develop proposals for the long term and if it would make more sense to have a single location which is convenient, inviting, accessible and feels like home, for all of us now and for future generations.

 

Q: Show me the vision

Beyond the practical stuff, why should I be excited about this? What will we gain that we don't have now?

 

A: We share a vision to create a vibrant Progressive Jewish community in Hertfordshire. Together we are committed to building Jewish life in the area, for our members, for potential members and for future generations.

 

Q: What is the planned timetable?

 

A: The working groups are hoping to have initial proposals by the time of the High Holydays in October 2025. If everything still looks positive then EGMs of each community could be held around the end of the year to formally agree a merger. Each part of the project will have its own timetable, which will become clearer as the working parties develop their plans. A legal merger, some time during 2026 could be the last part of the process, although any new building plans would take longer still.

 

Q: What are the plans for the Cheder / Religion School / BM classes / Kabbalat Torah?

 

A: For 2025/26 various events for our cheders will be planned jointly, typically 2-3 times each term. The RRS BM programme is well-established and very successful, and TLSE members will now be able to join this as a joint programme, leading to celebrating their BM in any service.

 

Q: What about the LJ and MRJ merger?

Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism have agreed to merge to form the Movement for Progressive Judaism. How does that impact TLSE and RRS?

 

A: Both TLSE and RRS are delighted by the formation of the new Movement for Progressive Judaism but that is completely separate from the collaboration and potential future merger of our two communities. The leaders of Progressive Judaism have been very excited by our collaboration as an example of our greater potential together, particularly in the area of Hertfordshire.

 

Q: What will happen to funeral and burial arrangements?

 

A: The funeral and burial scheme arrangements for current members of RRS and TLSE will be unchanged. If we merge then future new members will also become members of our scheme/s, once we have agreed details with the Joint Jewish Burial Society (JJBS) and/or the LJ burial scheme.

 

Q: What about annual membership subscriptions?

 

A: It is too early to be specific, however the annual subscriptions for RRS and TLSE are already similar and are unlikely to change materially in the short term.

 

Q: There is a small car park at Elstree, but what about at Radlett?

 

A: Although RRS does not have its own car park on site there is a large car park behind the shops, and behind the station, and various street parking options within a few minutes’ walk. Of course, the Radlett site is within walking distance for far more members of both communities than the Elstree site, and it is well served by both rail and bus services. The building group has access and parking on their list of considerations for any future combined building.

 

Q: How will I know what services and events are happening during the collaboration phase?

 

A: Services, regular events and special occasions will be widely communicated through both communities’ weekly emails, and we will be working towards having a shared calendar. You are also invited to subscribe to our Events WhatsApp group using this link.

 

Q: Who can I talk to about these plans?

 

A: We’d love to hear from you. Please contact the chair of your community (Spencer Grant or Leigh Renak) or any of the rabbis.

 

 

August 2025