Name:

Bushey United Synagogue

Former Names:

Bushey & District Synagogue

Bushey & District Affiliated Synagogue

Former Logo:

Address:

177-189 Sparrows Herne, Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire WD23 1AJ from 1984

Previously the synagogue was in a converted church hall in Police Station Lane, Bushey, from 1969 (although such synagogue was not actually formally consecrated until 9 December 1979, at the same time as the induction of the congregation's first minister).⁽ⁱ⁾

Prior to 1969, meetings took place in congregants' homes, using a scout house for the high holy days services. 

See also the brief history of the congregation on the synagogue's website.

Current Status:

Active

Date Founded:

The congregation was founded in 1968

Ritual:

Orthodox - Ashkenazi

Affiliation:

Initially an affiliated synagogue from joining the United Synagogue in 1970⁽ⁱⁱ⁾, becoming a constituent (full member) in about 1984.⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Website:

http://www.busheyus.org 

Senior Ministers & Rebbetzens:(To view a short profile of a minister - hold the cursor over his name.

Rabbi Z. Meir Salasnik (& Rebbetzen Judy Salasnik) - from June 1979 to 12 September 2016 (the first person appointed as minister of the congregation)^(v)

Rabbi Elchonon Feldman (& Rebbetzen Jacqueline Feldman) - from 1 December 2016 to present (October 2024)^(vi) 

Assistant Rabbis and Rebbetzens:

Rabbi Nick Kett (& Rebbetzen Shira Kett) - assistant rabbi from October 2017 to October 2020, and then community rabbi until December 2023^(vii)

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lister (& Rebbetzen Miri Lister) - assistant rabbi from January 2022 to present (October 2024)^(viii)

Hon. Officers
(to 1982):

In about 1968, the first formal committee was formed which consisted of:

President: Dr. Dennis Friedman; Chairman: Johnny Back; Treasurer: Brian Silverman.^(ix)

From 1970, the Hon. Officers were as follows:^(x)

Date

Wardens

Financial Representative

1970-1974

1974-1976

1976-1978

1978-1979

1979-1980

1980-1982

 Johnny Back & Brian Silverman

 Johnny Back & Ronald Cole

 Ronald Cole & David Shulman

 Ronald Cole & Philip Skelker

 John Blank & Philip Skelker

 John Blank & Colin Fink

Brian Atkins

David Shulman

Lionel Finkelstein

Lionel Finkelstein

Lionel Finkelstein

Lionel Finkelstein

Mrs. Devina Buckwald was Hon. Secretary in 1970,^(xi) followed shortly thereafter by Lionel Arden who served until the employment of a Secretary by the congregation (Mrs. Susan Sperber) in September 1974.

Membership Data:

United Synagogue

1970 -  48 male seatholders^(xvi)

Report of Congregation's AGM

1973 -  125 male and 7 individual female members^(xvii)

1974 -  162 male and 7 individual female members^(xviii)

National Reports & Survey^(xix)

1977 - 218 male (or household) members and 12 female members

1983 - 308 male (or household) members and 44 female members

1990 - 728 members (comprising 714 households, 5 individual male and 9 individual female members)

1996 - 889 members (comprising 855 households, 12 individual male and 22 individual female members)

2010 and 2016 - listed as having 1,000 to 1,499 members (by household)

Congregation's Website^(xx)

1989 -  600 members

2013 -  nearly 2,000 members

Charitable Status:

WWII Congregation:

In 1941 and possibly 1942, Jewish religious services were held at "The Gables", Heathfield Road, Bushey, the home of a Mr. Ben Bard, under the name Watford & Bushey Hebrew Congregation.^(xxiii) (Note: this congregation should not be confused with the Watford & Bushey Hebrew Congregation, which existed for several years from 1918 and held services in Watford.)

Registration District:

Hertfordshire^(xxiv) - Link to Register Office website.