Joining us

You’re more than welcome to come for a visit any time you like: just let our office know and wait for confirmation that we’re ready to welcome you. Non-Jewish partners and family members are warmly invited as well. We’re likely to ask you to bring some ID the first time you come, just so we know it’s you.

But if you feel like you’re going to be with us regularly, we ask you to join as a member. Members are our lifeblood and the vast majority of our income is from membership fees.

To talk about membership, contact the office and Rabbi Gabriel will be in touch with you.

However, we also know that the economic climate is very difficult, and nobody is ever turned away on financial grounds. After you’ve completed our membership form, one of our trustees will make contact to talk confidentially about payment and, if necessary, will make an adjustment to accommodate you. If you’d prefer to have this conversation with our rabbi, just ask.

Some frequently asked questions about membership are below.

What does it mean to join BHPS?

BHPS consists of two groups of people: Members and Friends. An individual who is Jewish can join our community as a “Member”. An individual who is not Jewish would join as a “Friend”.

Members and Friends of the Synagogue have equal access to all activities. For example, you have access to all our religious services and our classes (currently Saturday afternoons and Thursday evenings term-time). You can borrow books from our library. You will receive our regular e-bulletin setting out our activities and you can join in with any of them.

What is expected of those who join?

There are no rules here. You don’t have to believe anything in particular, and it doesn’t matter what sort of upbringing you had, or who else is in your family or household.

Also, you’re not under any obligation to attend everything, or to be here every week. At the same time, it would be fantastic if you were interested in joining one or more of our volunteering teams: we have roles available from security to baking to polishing.

Of course, we ask that everyone who is part of BHPS is respectful towards those who keep our community running and is willing to uphold our ethos of inclusivity and equality.

What if I’m not sure?

Give us a try! Please come for a few weeks to experience our services, classes, and so on. If you like us and wish to continue attending, then we’d love for you to sign up as a Member or Friend.

Can I bring friends?

You’re most welcome to bring friends, visiting family and so on, to our events. It’s always nice for us to receive a donation on such occasions but it isn’t mandatory. If your visitors start coming regularly, we would encourage them to join.

What if I’m not Jewish?

Only Members (who are Jewish) can vote at our general meetings, and only Members have the option of a burial plot in our cemetery on Old Shoreham Road, if plots are available. Friends of the synagogue – as opposed to Members – are also charged a fee for our rabbi’s officiation at a funeral. Beyond this, there is little practical difference between Jewish and non-Jewish participants.

How is BHPS funded?

Our only regular source of income is the subscription fees we receive from Members and Friends. We do not receive any external funding other than occasional grants.

Sometimes we are fortunate enough to receive donations from congregants as a goodwill gesture or to commemorate a life cycle event, such as remembering a loved one who has passed away. Some congregants also leave us legacies in their will.

Sometimes we have fundraising events or activities such as a lecture or special meal.