Shul through Paul Belsman’s eyes… Bushey United Synagogue

Bushey United Synagogue is one of the United Synagogue’s larger communities, Paul Belsman, Chairman for the past 4 years, describes the community through his eyes:

“We are very blessed in the community to have a charismatic Rabbinic team in Rabbi Elchonon and Rebbetzin Jacqueline, with  our  Community Rabbi Ozer and Rebbetzin Leah. They leave their special impact on everything they do, and this impact is felt across the whole community, particularly at our Friday night service. While I’m sure Friday nights are special in every shul, at Bushey, they truly are something exceptional.

The Rabbinic team goes out of their way to make every simcha meaningful for everyone involved, while also being incredibly supportive during times of sadness.

Our community really comes into its own in both good times and difficult ones, there is so much mutual support among our members. We always strive to help one another. We also have a very committed Community Care team who are truly on the ball. Their ethos is simple: support anyone in need.

I’m constantly amazed by what our members do for each other, often quietly, behind the scenes, without any formal involvement from the shul. For example, if someone needs a lift to the hospital, there’s always a line of volunteers. It’s quite remarkable.

We also put a lot of effort into welcoming new members. We have a dedicated New Members Team, and we host an annual BBQ to ensure they receive a warm and personal welcome – something I believe is very important.

We have over 400 volunteers, from our security team to those who distribute the Shul magazine, and even a group that delivers challah to those who have suffered a bereavement. Our volunteers are the heart of the community and embody the spirit of everything we do in Bushey to make people feel truly valued.

Our community is unique in that, while we are large and offer a wide range of activities, we remain warm, friendly, and welcoming. We strive to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and included. We understand that each person has different needs and expectations from their involvement at Shul, and we do our best to accommodate and support them all.

We make a special effort to celebrate every individual on their special day, ensuring they feel seen and appreciated. I believe we’ve successfully overcome the challenge of our size by maintaining a genuinely welcoming and friendly atmosphere, not just for our members, but for everyone who visits our Shul.”