The Cockfosters & N Southgate United Synagogue celebrated its 70th anniversary on Sunday with a full day of activities at the synagogue. A Thanksgiving service in the presence of, and with the participation of the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis took place at dignitaries in attendance during the day included the Mayor of Enfield Councillor Saray Karakus, Mayor of Barnet Reuben Thompstone, local MPs and other civic and Jewish leaders.
Commenting on the milestone occasion, Mrs. Marilyn Doff, Chair, said: “It is an honour and privilege to celebrate the platinum anniversary of our synagogue. I want to pay tribute to its Rabbinic and lay leaders over the years, as well as to all of our members, past and present, who create the welcoming, warm and inclusive atmosphere that we are privileged to experience at CNSS. It is my prayer that today's proceedings will strengthen us in our goals and start us on the road to the next 70 years, with success in all of our endeavours.”
The community heard words from former United Synagogue president Mr. Stephen Pack, CNSS member and part of the founding member families of the community; Rabbi Yisroel Fine, Emeritus Rabbi of CNSS, Rabbi Daniel Epstein, Rabbi of CNSS and the keynote address from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
“The Hub” – a community social activity meeting space and kitchen, partly funded by the United Synagogue Community Development Fund, was inaugurated by the Chief Rabbi and a thanksgiving service was attended by over 300 members of the community and local civic community, with the participation of the CNSS Choir; followed by a reception for all and a lunch for 200 people. A “This is Your Life” programme was prepared to reminisce about the last 70 years and candles were lit for the First Night of Chanukah at the end of the afternoon.
Rabbi Daniel Epstein said: “Ilana and I feel humbled and honoured to be leading this wonderful community. We have witnessed excitement and immense pride from the whole community since arriving in 2014 and our lay leadership and volunteers make this a very special community indeed. Its reach is far beyond our local community and we look forward to leading the community onto major projects to secure our future in the coming 70 years, including our Eruv initiative.”
Among the Chief Rabbi’s sentiments and good wishes, the Chief Rabbi commented: “Many communities and organisations use their milestone commemorations and celebrations to look back with fond nostalgic memory. The CNSS community is also, most importantly, putting in place strong plans and initiatives for its future. I wish the whole community and its leadership Mazal Tov and much continued success for its future.”
The dignitaries in attendance included:
• Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
• Mayor of Enfield Councillor Saray Karakus
• Mayor of Barnet Councillor Reuben Thompstone
• Bambos Charalambous MP – Enfield Southgate
• Rt Hon Joan Ryan MP – Enfield North and Chair, Labour Friends of Israel
• Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP – Chipping Barnet
• Cllr Daniel Anderson – Deputy Head, Enfield Council & CNSS Member
• Dayan Menachem Gelley, Head of London Beth Din
• Rabbi Yisroel & Rebbetzen Judy Fine, Emeritus Rabbi of CNSS
• Maxwell Nisner, Treasurer, United Synagogue
• US Trustees: Professor Andrew Eder, Claire Lemer, Saul Taylor
• Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum, Rabbi, Hadley Wood Jewish Community (former satellite of CNSS)
