About us

Welcome to the Bristol and West Jewish Congregation

A friendly and welcoming congregation

The Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation is a friendly and welcoming congregation. Out Synagogue is in Bristol, although our members live in a wide area of the South West of England and South Wales. We are affiliated with the national Liberal Judaism movement.

Background

Our Rabbi is Rabbi Monique Mayer. Our synagogue building is open to members and friends for Shabbat morning services. The Sanctuary is a small space with limited room for social distancing so we are unable to welcome visitors inside the building for the present time. Shabbat evening and morning services are also available via Zoom, to members and friends. Services are held on Facebook Live on Monday and Thursday mornings, available for anyone who would like to come along.

Our monthly Chavurah evenings– when we pray around the table and share a supper together–are currently suspended. Worship takes place on all Festivals. We also hold occasional outreach services in other areas of the South West. Our services are led by our Rabbi and various members of the community. If you are not a member but would like to find out more please contact us.

We have a thriving Religion School, Lamdeinu (‘Teach Us’) as well as educational opportunities for teenagers and adults. Preparation for Bar- or Bat-Mitzvah is supplemented by additional individual tuition. We also have a library of more than 1000 books as well as a children’s library.

We produce a quarterly synagogue magazine called Alonim.

Shop

The Judaica Shop stocks a wide range of Jewish books, cards and artefacts. If something you are looking for is not in stock, we will most probably be able to order it.

Accessibility

Currently, all of the building except for the classrooms is wheelchair accessible and we also have an induction loop for those using a hearing aid.

All food at the Synagogue is vegetarian.