Congregation Data

South Herts and Edgware Masorti (SHEMA)

The congregation was formed in December 2021, on the merger of Elstree & Borehamwood Masorti Community (EBMC) with Edgware Masorti Synagogue (EMS).⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

The congregation initially held services in both Edgware and Borehamwood.⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

In Edgware, services were held in EMS's former premises at Pearl Community Centre, Stream Lane, Edgware, HA8 7YA (on Shabbat entrance at Bakery Path, off Station Road, Edgware, HA8 7YE), the last such service to be held 9 May 2026.^(iv) Thereafter services are held exclusively in Borehamwood at EBMC's former premises at The Cannon, Thirsk Rd, Borehamwood WD6 5AY.

The congregation is, however, seeking suitable premises near Borehamwood to cater for the growing numbers of young Jewish families in the area, although after such move, the congregation has pledged to ensure the continuation of services in Edgware for "legacy EMS members" unable to travel to Borehamwood.^(v)

Active.

Masorti / Conservative. The Masorti Sim Shalom prayer book is used in Borehamwood and the Singers prayer book in Edgware. Seating is mixed.^(vi)

The congregation has been a constituent of the Masorti Judaism since its formation.^(vii)

https://www.shemacommunity.org

Rabbi Danny Newman, who had the been joint rabbi of EBMC and EMC until the 2021 merger, served as the rabbi of SHEMA until 2022.^(ix)

There then followed a period when the congregation was without a rabbi and its services were led by members of the congregation and visiting rabbis.^(x)

In March 2026, it was announced that the congregation had approved the appointment of Rabbi Zachary Bernstein-Rothberg as its new community rabbi, who was due to take up the post in August 2026.^(xi)

Annual Reports of Masorti Judaism^(xii) - number of members as of 1 January:

2022	2023	2024
497	490	498

Borehamwood is in the Borough of Hertsmere, formed in 1974, in the county of Hertfordshire. For details and history, see Hertsmere Jewish Communities home page.

Edgware is in the London Borough of Barnet, formed in 1965.

for Borehamwood - Hertfordshire (since 1 April 2008)^(xvi) - Link to Register Office website

for Edgware - Barnet  (since 1 April 1999)^(xvii) - Link to Register Office website

Notes & Sources (↵ returns to text above)

• (i) Reserved.

• (ii) Jewish Chronicle report of 4 April 2022 and the congregation's website, accessed January 2026. ↵

• (iii) The congregation's website, accessed January 2026. ↵

• (iv) Jewish Chronicle report of 20 March 2026. ↵

• (v) The Jewish Chronicle report of 4 April 2022. ↵

• (vi) The congregation's website, accessed January 2026. ↵

• (vii) Masorti Judaism's website, accessed January 2026. ↵

• (viii) and (xi) Reserved. ↵

• (ix) The Jewish Chronicle report of 4 April 2022 refers to Rabbi Newman continuing to serve the congregation following the 2021 merger and p. 2 of the congregations annual report for 2022 to the Charities Commission stated that Rabbi Newman resigned during the due to ill health. ↵

• (viii) See links to Masorti Judaism's annual reports. ↵

• (xi) Jewish Chronicle report of 20 March 2026. ↵

• (xii) The congregation's website, accessed January 2026. ↵

• (xiii) Reserved.

• (xiv) Companies House website accessed January 2025. Clicking on the company number of this will take you to the registration on the Companies House website. ↵

• (xv) Charities Commission website, accessed January 2025. Clicking on the charity number of this will take you to the charity's registration on the Charities Commission website. ↵

• (xvi) The previous registration district was Watford. All registers would now be held by the current register office. ↵

• (xvii) The previous registration district was Hendon. All registers would now be held by the current register office. ↵

• (xviii) JJBS's website, accessed January 2026. ↵