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The oldest Jewish Organisation in Sussex
by Godfrey R Gould
Although there has been a Jewish presence in Brighton (and Hove) for 254 years it was not until 1824 that a formal Jewish organisation was established, the Brighton Hebrew Congregation. (The only other local Jewish organisation which can most nearly match that for longevity is the Brighton & Hove Jewish Welfare Board, established as the Brighton Hebrew Philanthropic Society in 1846). Initially local Jews worshiped formally, and occasionally intermittently, successively in two houses in Jew Street and Poune's Court (off West Street).
But in 1824 the new Congregation acquired 38 and 39 Devonshire Place on which a temporary structure for worship was erected. In 1826, the Congregation was given a plot of land in Florence Place outside the Town boundary by William Read Kemp for use as a Cemetery and had erected there an Ohel (Prayer House) to the designs of David Mocatta.
It was Mocatta who was commissioned to design the first purpose-built Synagogue in Sussex on the Devonshire Place site and it was opened in 1838, three years before his Brighton Railway Station. The Synagogue had accommodation for 75 worshippers, and on the week-end of 28-30 March 1851 there were 40 worshippers at the Morning service,16 at the afternoon and 40 at the Evening (although I think that must have been at Erev Shabbat). Apart from the Synagogue itself there was accommodation for the Minister, a School room and workshops. The slightly altered facade is still there with the words "Jews Synagogue AM 5598" (AM - Anno Mundi - the Year of the World) on the pediment. There are also some original interior features. Granted Grade II listed status it now houses nine bijou flats.
With a much bigger Congregation, and which was moving further west, a new Synagogue was opened at 66 Middle Street in 1875. I do not need to dwell on the magnificence of this Grade II* listed edifice having "after the Royal Pavilion the most spectacular interior in Brighton" (Antony Dale). It was designed by Thomas Lainson, a non-Jewish architect and who also designed the remarkable windows.
Owing to a declining local Jewish population and the difficulties in getting a minyan, the painful decision had to be taken to curtail regular worship there at the end of 2004.The building behind, originally the Ministers House, and with a now concealed Mikvah, was sold on a long lease, but hopefully at some stage soon it will be possible to buy it back. Although there were regular Open days after closure (and even before) and the occasional Wedding or special Service, it was only more recently through the enthusiasm of Vicky Bhogal that many more activities have been organised. And also, and especially with the active support of Rabbi Hershel Rader, Services and other interdenominational activities have been held on Festivals and other special occasions.
For some reason in 1893, the Ohel at Florence Place Cemetery was demolished and replaced by the very special octagonal Grade II listed Ohel also designed by Thomas Lainson. About two decades later with this Cemetery filling up (but there is still some empty space if you want one?), a new site was acquired off Bear Road and a new Ohel erected, again to the designs by the Thomas Lainson Practice. This is the one which is still in use, and is used also by the Hove Hebrew Congregation.
In 1918 with an increasing number of members living in Hove it was decided to change the name of the Congregation to the still current 'Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation'. Recognising the needs of the much larger membership some temporary Services were held in Hove until a permanent site was acquired at 29/31 New Church Road, Hove, and whilst retaining the two houses there, a new Synagogue was opened in 1960. The two houses provided some residential accommodation, a Beit Hamidrash (Prayer Room), Class Rooms, Communal Hall, Kitchens, and facilities for other communal activities. But with the new century, as with other Congregations in this City, membership declined and the Synagogue, and in need of much repair, became too big even for the Yomim Naro'im. That said the range of activities provided did not decline, but increased. It became difficult to ensure a Service every day, but they were held Erev Shabbat, Shabbat morning and evening, all Yom Tovim and on four week day mornings, at least. And there were lunches in the Succah and on Shavuot, Sedorim, Friday Night Dinners, Shiurim, B-B-Qs, M'lavah Malkahs and so much more, and open to all whatever affiliation, or none.
And so it was decided to down size. There were two developers who would have built a new Shul and facilities on a cramped part of the site with the rest being their flats, Until the Bloom Foundation came along with a wonderful proposal which, after full consultation with all stakeholders and local interests, was accepted and eventually given full planning permission. Work is well underway. To be provided will be a Central Shul with Mikvah, Hall, School Rooms, Shop, Cafe, accommodation, and so much more, not exclusively for the use of the Congregation but for the whole Community. There is even to be an underground car park. At either side there will be flats (some to belong to the Congregation) and at the back a short row of Town Houses. A stylish and balanced project worthy of this town and our Jewish heritage. It will be just the latest development of this nearly two hundred year old Congregation, taking us on well into the twenty-first century. Wait for 2024, the bi-centenary of the Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation. With this, the latest Shul in our proud and long history, it will be something for us all to celebrate.
(*) Of course, this means we'll have another anniversary to celebrate in 2025; the 150th of Middle Street Synagogue, the oldest continually used Jewish building in Brighton and Hove.