Finchley Reform’s £4m eco shul opens
V FINCHLEY REFORM Synagogue welcomed 300 congregants to its new £4 million-plus eco shul, opened after a year of renovation.
Construction work was completed on schedule and close to budget, despite the problems posed by the pandemic.
Members were keen to view the environmentally friendly religious hub, community centre and nursery.
With its low-carbon design, the shul now boasts one the first religious buildings of its kind in the UK.
Twice the size of the former synagogue, features include a fourmetre-high prayer hall, complemented by community-focused public areas.
The shul will offset the net carbon embedded in the construction. Solar panels on the roof will reduce energy usage.
“It was so special for us to be able to open our new shul to our members just in time for Pesach,” said Finchley Reform chair Bob Humphreys.
There was also a turnout of 150 for a communal Seder and he reported that the general response had been “a mix of appreciation of the extra space and amazement at our dramatic new ark and our Magen David roof light in the prayer hall”.
Mr Humphreys added that “given the potential for delays, we think the contractors, McLaughlin & Harvey, have done an amazing job.
“In terms of cost, we weren’t far off.
It really feels like traditions of old meeting the new in terms of the building
We have used up our five per cent contingency with a final build cost of just over £4.7 million. But in the context of rapidly rising prices, we count ourselves very lucky to have arrived at this outcome.”
Rabbi Miriam Berger said the opening was “a real homecoming” after the years of online services during the pandemic.
“People have got very used to Zoom so having a new building to show off has been great.”
Members had been “excited to see it and it really feels like traditions of old meeting the new in terms of the building and what it offers.”
Congregants had particularly appreciated features which increased accessibility. “We have the kind of community that really recognises issues around accessibility.”
And there was an open invitation to join a huddle around the bimah after services to offer “constructive feedback” on likes and dislikes.
Members will formally celebrate the new building at its official opening on Shavuot.