Efforts to safeguard and reopen a Brighton synagogue have been boosted by a £40,000 funding partnership.
Three heritage funding bodies have agreed to contribute towards a feasibility study, which will identify future potential uses for the currently closed Middle Street Synagogue.
The owners of the Victorian building, Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation (BHHC), have partnered with the London-based Foundation for Jewish Heritage who work to preserve Jewish heritage at risk.
The foundation, along with a steering committee, will manage the review and make a recommendation to be considered by the BHHC Board.
Susan Conway, chair of BHHC said: “Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation is delighted to be working with the Foundation of Jewish Heritage to find a way forward for the beautiful Middle Street Synagogue which is cherished by the Jewish community.
“We are very grateful to the funders for supporting this crucial feasibility study.”
Michael Mail, chief executive of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage said: “Middle Street is a nationally recognised landmark building, important for the Jewish community and for the city of Brighton and Hove.
“Through the feasibility study, we hope to come up with a solution that will bring the building back into regular use and ensure its future.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund committed £20,000 for the feasibility study and building survey, while the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Pilgrim Trust both committed £10,000 each.
Michael Rosehill, Steering Committee chair said: “I hadn’t appreciated the full significance of Middle Street Synagogue both architecturally and historically.
“The fact that three leading heritage funding bodies have so generously agreed to back this project is a clear demonstration of the significance of the building.”
The synagogue’s stained glass windows, elaborate floral columns and black and white chequered Italian marble floors have led the grade II* listed building to be described as the jewel in the crown of the south coast Jewish community.
The Middle Street Synagogue was designed by the distinguished Victorian architect Thomas Lainson and opened in 1875.
Regular services stopped there in 2004 due to reducing attendance and the building has been largely unused, opening just for heritage days and community events.
In 2021, damage from a leaking radiator meant it was fully closed to the public.
Louise Stewart, from the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “We are extremely pleased to be one of three organisations that have awarded funding towards a feasibility study for Middle Street Synagogue.
“We hope that our support will help to find a sustainable future use for this building, ensuring that it continues to play an important role for the Jewish community, as well as the city of Brighton and Hove as a whole, for many generations to come.”
A jewel within our City that needs to be preserved for the local & national community
I was also married at the synagogue in 1990 too.
I’m not related to you Ivan but I had my barmitzvah there in 1958, under Fabbi’s tutelage. Great news that this wonderful building might be restored and opened again!
Lets hope Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation allow women equal rights to men in any acitvities that take part in the building. During secular fundraising events women speakers are forbidden from standing on the Bimah, unlike men. This is not acceptable.
Meanwhile back to the Mosque where, guess what, women are segregated. If you are going to be covertly anti semitic then at least be balanced.
I dis not read that was not an anti semitic remark. It was merely an observation that women are equal to men, and should be seen as such by the orthodox synagogue.
Whoa! It didn’t take long for the antisemitic trump card to be played! I’m glad that this beautiful old building is going to come to life again.
(Definition of semite according to google: “a member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs.”. Maybe peace can break out.)
Beautiful building. Hope it doesnt get ruined.
It is a very beautiful building that should be preserved for its historical and architectural interest. And, when not in use for religious services, should be open to the public.
Visited the building some years ago on an open day and it certainly is spectacular and deserves restoration.
Most welcome. Thank you.
I did not read that was not an anti semitic remark. It was merely an observation that women are equal to men, and should be seen as such by the orthodox synagogue.
David Williams. I did not read that as an anti semitic remark. It was merely an observation that women are equal to men, and should be seen as such by the orthodox synagogue.
Why should it matter that there is segregation in religious services, if the people in the congregation are happy with that arrangement? These are not public meetings, but for the worshippers themselves, whatever their religion. If the comment is not antisemitic then surely it is yet another nauseating “woke” put about by those who go out of their way to interfere in other people’s lives?
i’m shocked to learn it is closed. I visited it several times a few years ago and it is an amazing building. It must have been on open days.
Or someone looking for equity for women in all walks of life. Not sure why that should be a problem or why you would need to dissect as possible racism or section to only one cultural movement.
It is important to preserve Brighton’s heritage. Bravo
A great building of the heritage of Brighton. Glad to see it it is to be restored. Be good to see the Council supporting this as well.
I have been pushed in my Wheelchair by Friends & Carers over the years always wondered why not open. Will be so wonderful to be opened in the Heart ❤️ of Brighton. When opened in 1875 were the majority of Anglo Jewry from the Pogroms in Russia & settled in England in the 1850’s?