Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue (BES) are celebrating 30 years of Limmud, their alternative Minyan which takes place fortnightly.

In 1993, Julian Low and Barry Shaw came up with an idea for a Minyan with a difference, which would offer a quiet, reflective space to pray, would be all-inclusive, whose heart would be education, for those with questions and thoughts to share, those who wanted to be challenged and engaged and those who wanted to actively progress their Judaism. With the help of Rabbi Plancey, Shabbat Bereshit 1993 saw the inaugural Limmud Minyan, with 60 eager participants crowding the Gilah Hall. Its popularity grew and very soon it became a weekly fixture at BES with the Jewish Chronicle devoting an article to the Minyan, highlighting this first US service that allowed women to present Sedra talks.

Josh Moont, Chair of Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue, said: “It is an amazing achievement to have kept the idea alive and fresh for so many years and it’s a testament to the Rabbinic team and volunteers over the years. The continuing significance of Limmud and its fundamental value is seen in its 30th anniversary, the amazing atmosphere that it creates, the rocking davening that emanates on a Shabbat and Chag, the personal connections that it fosters and the glut of Rabbonim that the Limmud Minyan has created – Rabbi Finn, Rabbi Cowan, Rabbi Woolfson, Rabbi Levine, and Rabbi Bazak. The Limmud Minyan was a forward-thinking initiative thirty years ago in that it recognised that a one size shul service does not fit all, that a smaller more intimate Minyan hits the spot, that positive relationships and personal connections are of paramount importance in making our Judaism exciting, relevant and meaningful.”