From The Archive

The Foundation Stone…

Cinefilm footage – Laying of Foundation Stone at BHRS

A Holocaust Memorial Synagogue…

argus july 18 1966 — Laying of the Foundation Stone: Evening Argus – 18th July 1966

Consecration Leaflet 1 — Leaflet for the Consecration Service

Consecration Leaflet 2 enhanced — Leaflet for the Consecration Service, highlighting by the website authors

… we have been encouraged to erect the beautiful building which today we are consecrating to the Glory of God and to the memory of the six millions of our brethren who perished in the Nazi Concentration Camps.

argus sept 11 1967 — Consecration Service: Evening Argus – 11 September 1967

sjn april 1996

He loved the Synagogue, having helped to plan and fashion even the smallest detail. He filled it with love, awe and beauty, and dedicated it to the memory of those who had perished in the Holocaust…

The placing of the dedication

booklet extract 1 — In Council Meeting of 27th May 1965, it was agreed that the following dedication was to be inscribed outside the building on the foundation stone:
“…IN DEDICATION TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE SIX MILLION JEWS WHO PERISHED IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS DURING THE 1939-1945 WORLD WAR.
IN HONOUR OF THE DEAD AS A WARNING TO THE LIVING”

booklet extract 2 — However, by 13th April 1966, there had been a change of plan. The Board of Deputies had advised against the
Holocaust Dedication on the outside of the building for fear of attracting antisemitic incidents. Therefore the dedication to the Holocaust would be inscribed on a tablet inside the foyer of the Synagogue. The tablet presides over the foyer to this day.

BHRS Anniversary Booklet

BHRS 50th Anniversary 2017