outreach and education


The light of knowledge is one that needs cultivating and sharing

Outreach work and education is a central part of what Thanet and District Reform Synagogue does as a community. We believe that sharing ideas, knowledge, experiences and thoughts with others, whether individuals, groups or organisations is crucial to a more tolerant, understanding and content community. So at TDRS we see this as a two way process.  Our education and outreach work endeavours to engage with the wider community and have them engage with us.

Education

We offer school visits to our synagogue where Rabbi Cohen or another senior member will show groups around and talk to them about our community, Judaism and local history. We offer similar services to other groups such as scouts and guides. Should you wish to come to us for an educational visit, please contact us here.

We have close relationships with local educational establishments. This is not only schools but also further learning and universities.  Our ongoing work with the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University has been invaluable.  They have assisted in engaging with local Jewish history and sharing the plethora of information about it. Whether it is the work of Moses Montefiore in Ramsgate, the Kitchener Camp in Sandwich or the Jewish history of Canterbury, TDRS continues to engage in making local and Kent Jewish history an ongoing learning and sharing experience.   We always love to hear about local Jewish history, so feel free to contact us if you would like to share some.

We have a good relationship with the Jewish Society at the University of Kent and often welcome students from there whether it be for a shabbat service or High Holy Days. We always welcome their attendance.

We have open days at the Synagogue on occasion. These are normally very well attended.  For instance we have had special open days for Jewish Day of Culture.  Keep an eye on our events and news to see when our next open day is.

TDRS are considerably involved with Holocaust Memorial Day with Rabbi Cohen and other members of the community both attending  and taking services.  In addition, we have the helped the Holocaust Memorial Day occasion in Ramsgate become a shared experience across the community.

Outreach

TDRS always seeks to reach out to the wider community. Our area has some of the most deprived council wards in the country and so we are always keen to ensure we reach out where we can. For instance our involvement with local charities both with financial contributions and with offers of help is an ongoing process.

Being able to offer more assistance and outreach work with the local community of something we work on as we make attempts to improve our facilities. We work closely with many other faith groups in the area and have regularly worked in tandem with them to ensure the most effective ways of reaching out to the wider community.

We have excellent relationships with local MPs and councillors and we thank them for their continued support for our synagogue.

The Environment

We have a particular interest in the environment not only by supporting environmental causes but also ensuring our impact upon the environment is minimised. Judaism's ethos of tikun olum (repair the world) is upmost in our minds and so we ensure where at all possible that our impact as community is a positive one. We are looking at how we impact as a community on the environment and how we can be an eco-synagogue.