Meet Juliette, Chair of Potters Bar & Brookmans Park Synagogue
Juliette Hooker, Chair of Potters Bar & Brookmans Park Synagogue, speaks with warmth and pride about her community, describing a place that is not a traditional synagogue and feels like an extended family.
Having been a member for over 20 years and Chair for the past three, she has seen the community, now approaching its 60th anniversary, grow into a close-knit and welcoming congregation. “It’s very relaxed and very friendly… she explains. “Because we’re small, we’re like extended family which is lovely. We believe there’s ‘unity in community’ and we’re really happy when we’re all together. At the heart of it all, is a deep sense of valuing and care. Looking out for one another is fundamental to everything the community does.”
That sense of togetherness shapes daily life, from regular social gatherings (including 7 clubs) to simple moments like tea on the terrace or Mindfulness in the Eco Garden, which Juliette describes as favourite ways for members to relax and connect.
One of the community’s most distinctive recent achievements has been the creation of its Eco Garden. Developed in the wake of Covid, the project began as a way to bring people together safely outdoors. With the help of a local Councillor’s Locality Budget Grant, the garden has been transformed into a thriving, nature-friendly environment. “I’d always fancied re-wilding the garden,” Juliette says. “Now it has everything – log piles, a pond and toad abode, bird feeders, bat box, bee hotel and wildflower beds and plenty of seating for the community… “
The project has also gained wider recognition, with the community earning a Bronze EcoJudaism award and working towards Silver. Juliette is quick to emphasise that the garden is a shared effort, supported by members of all ages, with an Eco Gardeners Club that meets up to care for it.
Central to community life is the rabbinic team, Rabbi Adam and Shosh Hill, whom Juliette describes as “warm, welcoming and generous, they’ll always go above and beyond to help and support us” She adds, “They are the centre of our community”. Their energy extends far beyond spiritual leadership, from hands-on involvement in the garden to leading festive cookery sessions “Rabbi Adam is a fantastic chef… and has the most amazing voice and their IT and creative skills are brilliant!” she says with a smile. “We are so lucky.
Alongside spiritual life, the community is also outward-looking. Juliette highlights ongoing work to strengthen local interfaith relationships and a new initiative with JAMI focused on suicide prevention training. “We are one of only a few pilot shuls working with JAMI to provide this vital training, which we’ll be offering soon.”
Despite its relatively small size, the community is ambitious in its outlook. Juliette hopes to raise awareness of how well-located Potters Bar is and how much the community loves welcoming new people. Her advice is simple “Our approach is personal, warm and welcoming – that’s who we are.” She adds “and our services are traditional, tuneful and informal”. “
As Chair, what gives Juliette the greatest satisfaction is seeing progress and connections flourish. “Just knowing that things are getting done and plenty is being achieved is great,” she reflects. “We hope that more people will come visit us and experience it too.”
www.pottersbarshul.org.uk
