Our History
Since 2000 the Synagogue has been under the leadership of Rabbi Elizabeth (Elli) Tikvah Sarah. Rabbi Sarah’s great passion for Jewish life, for Classical Hebrew, and for building bridges between communities, has fostered the growth of a vibrant and inclusive synagogue in which all are valued. Her classes and encouragement have inspired many to reconnect with their Jewish heritage, to engage more fully in communal life, and to become lay leaders. Her erudition and openness have established BHPS as a leading light within Liberal Judaism, the Sussex Jewish community, and in inter-faith dialogue.
The First Fifty Years – written by Denis Davis (1985)
“In 1933 a small group, headed by John de Lange and Gertrude Heilbron, decided they wished to worship in the Liberal manner. They called on the Jewish Religious Union (JRU) for advice and assistance which was readily forthcoming. As an experiment the first Services, those for the High Holy Days, were held at the Hove Town Hall. The JRU sent the Reverend Marcus Goldberg to conduct them and the enthusiastic attendance - there were 80 present on Rosh Hashanah and 120 on Yom Kippur – encouraged the organisers to proceed with their plans to establish a permanent congregation and to employ Reverend Goldberg as Minister.