“Did those windows always remind anyone else of the Muppet Show?” a voice whispered during my visit to New London Synagogue. The arches were indeed striking, rising from floor to ceiling throughout the prayer hall. This Grade II listed Victorian building on Abbey Road has a fascinating history. New London Synagogue was founded in 1964 by followers of Rabbi Louis Jacobs. He had been a respected figure, even tipped to be Chief Rabbi, but his book “We Have Reason to Believe” caused a stir. In it, he explored the idea that the Torah might be a historical document shaped over time, rather than solely divine dictation. This challenged traditional views, leading to what became known as the “Jacobs Affair.” The controversy led to his removal from certain positions, and so his supporters formed New London Synagogue, a beacon of open-minded Judaism ever since. The synagogue has even hosted notable figures like the Dalai Lama. It served as the memorial service location for Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles, offering a more compassionate perspective than his funeral. The spirit of intellectual curiosity and warm community embraced by Rabbi Jacobs seems to permeate the very air of New London Synagogue, making it a truly special place.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to