Press Reports relating to the
Bexley Heath & District Synagogue

Jewish Chronicle, 26 December 1932

SYNAGOGUE WANTED IN NORTH KENT
I wish to call the attention of the Jewish residents in this area to the fact that there is no Synagogue near here. I would like to get into touch with all Jewish people residing at Erith, Barnehurst, Bexley Heath and the surrounding districts with a view to organising and forming a Minyan - Mr. I. SHWARTZ, 847, Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath, Erith, Kent.

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Jewish Chronicle, 15 March 1935

Bexley Heath and District Synagogue
At a meeting held last week at 208, Broadway, Bexley Heath, the residence of Mr. Bloom, the congregation was formed. The following were elected : Messrs. Bloom, Chairman; Margo, Vice-Chairman; Cowen, Treasurer; and Harris, Hon. Secretary. Efforts are being made to obtain suitable premises for the purpose of a Synagogue. A further meeting will be held next Monday.

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Jewish Chronicle, 7 August 1936

Bexley Heath and District Hebrew Congregation
A meeting of the Congregation was held last week to arrange for the official opening and consecration of the new Synagogue in Lion Road, Bexley Heath. Mr. A. Bloom presided. A Trustee, Mr. A. Myerson, of 1, Lewis Parade, Welling, Kent, was elected representative of the Congregation at the Deputies of British Jews. Mr. N. Cowan was elected Secretary for Marriages, etc. The Hon. Minister, the Rev. S. Wolfe, of Chatham, was present at the meeting. Mr. L. Harris, 75, Lion Road, is Hon. Secretary of the Congregation.

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Jewish Chronicle, 4 December 1936

Bexleyheath and District Congregation
The Synagogue, at 75, Lion Road, which has been enlarged and decorated, will be officially consecrated by the Chief Rabbi on the 13th inst. at 6 p.m. Mr. M. Sheldon will perform the ceremony. The Rev. S. Kusevitsky, of the Shacklewell Lane Synagogue will officiate with a choir. A reception will follow at the Constitutional Club, Broadway, Bexleyheath. The Secretary is Mr. L. Harris.

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Jewish Chronicle, 18 December 1936

SYNAGOGUE CONSECRATED BY CHIEF RABBI
The first Synagogue to be opened during the reign of King George VI was that of the young Bexley Heath and District Hebrew Congregation; and the Chief Rabbi, who consecrated the building on Sunday, offered up a special prayer in connection with the accession of the new Sovereign. The prayer is printed elsewhere in this issue.

The Synagogue was opened by Mr. Michael Sheldon, and the Service was conducted by the Rev. S. Kusevitsky, of the Stoke Newington Synagogue, assisted by the Rev. A. Berman and a choir under Mr. J. Marcus (who was at the organ) and Mr. M. Moser.
Dr. Hertz, in the course of his address, made a reference to tho celebration by Jews of their Simchas and to the criticism that had been made by the Jewish Press and others when a lot of money had been vulgarly spent on weddings and Barmitzvahs. If people would, on the occasion of family Simchas, give to the Jewish Hospital or any other hospital, to the aged poor, or the Talmud Torahs; if they would give to the Board of Guardians, the Keren Kayemeth or Keren Hayesod, then no matter how much money they spent, no one could possibly call it vulgar. For to live for others was true Jewishness. Dr. Hertz ended with a prayer of consecration.
The service was attended by the Chairman and members of the Bexley Urban District Council and by representatives of religious bodies, including the Salvation Army. A guard of honour was provided by the Woolwich Co. of the Jewish Lads' Brigade under Lieut. L. M. Cohen. A reception was held, later, at the Constitutional Club. Mr. A. Bloom, Chairman of the Synagogue, presided.
The Chief Rabbi spoke of the duties of the Jew to his country, duties which he had carried out equally with other sections of the Community in times of war and peace.
Councillor W. D. Opher said the Chief Rabbi's address had been inspiring to him as a Christian.
Mr. Barnett Janner emphasised the importance of the Synagogue as a centre for the education of the youth. The presentation to the Synagogue of a silver Menorah from Mr. I. Schwartz and Mr. A. Myerson, was made by Mr. J. H. Taylor. The toast of the visitors, proposed by Mr. L. Harris, Hon. Secretary, was responded to by Councillor A. G. Williams, Chairman of the Bexley Urban District Council, who said the desire of the inhabitants of that district would be to live together with their Jewish residents in peace and harmony, "
The Honorary Minister of the Synagogue is the Rev. S. Wolfe of the Rochester and Chatham Synagogue.
The Synagogue will serve the districts of Bexley, Bexley Heath, Welling, Sidcup, Baruhurst, Erith, Falconwood and Chiselhurst.

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Jewis
h Chronicle, 12 March 1937

The Bexleyheath Community has suffered a great loss through the death of Mr ISAAC SHWARZ last Monday. The deceased was the founder of the Hebrew Congregation and its Trustee, and was highly respected.

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