Wessex LJC organises synagogue services in central Bournemouth on alternate weeks throughout the Jewish Year.  In addition, almost all festivals are celebrated as well as the High Holy Days.  Our Rabbi, Miri Lawrence, takes an Erev Shabbat Friday evening service and a Saturday Shabbat morning service one weekend a month.  Miri always has a thought provoking sermon - sometimes this leads to an engaging two way discussion.  On the other Saturday mornings of the month, we have a dedicated team of lay leaders led by Michael Hart, providing engaging services. We have a thoughtful commentary on the Sedra for that week provided by one of our community members, Nat. 

We use the Liberal Siddur for regular synagogue services and the Liberal Machzor for High Holy Days.  Music accompanies almost all our services from our Choir Leader, Flora or using recorded music.  Our services are very participative. In addition to reading together, many of our prayers, Torah and Haftarah blessings and the Haftarah passage are read by individual members.  Reading the Torah Blessings is always an honour.  

Every Saturday service includes Yahrzeit prayers and Kaddish for Community Members who have passed away. Relatives and friends who have passed on are also remembered and honoured.  Kaddish is said each year on the anniversary of the death.  We say the prayer as a community because none of us is alone in mourning. 

The Friday evening service is always followed  with a discussion and  a Shabbat meal.  On Saturdays, we have a Kiddush and a buffet meal.  At Wessex our synagogue services are always social occasions!

Our Services

Rabbi Miri 

I visit Wessex once a month to lead Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services. These are well attended and very lively. On Erev Shabbat I lead a short service from the Liberal prayer book – Siddur lev Chadash followed by a discussion, often a theme from the Torah portion of that week, but always with a modern interpretation. The discussion is introduced by a member of the congregation, with a taster, such as a fun quiz. Everyone participates and the service and discussion are followed by a shared supper. These evenings are always very social. On Shabbat morning the service is more traditional, with a sermon and reading or leyning from the Torah. All our services are totally inclusive, with lay participation, and reflections during the sermon are always welcomed. The service is followed by Kiddush and lunch where we enjoy catching up with one another. Please come and join us, we love seeing new people and are a very friendly community.

Michael Hart

When we do not have a rabbi to lead our Shabbat morning services, they are conducted by our lay leaders. Since the beginning of 2024 we have been building a new team of members who are able to lead services. These lay leaders often involve other members of the community in reading individual prayers or sections of the service. Singing is a key element of our services with many familiar tunes used regularly at each service but also opportunities for innovation. Several of our members are now able to read from the scroll and our team of lay leaders have developed a range of ways to engage with the congregation as part of the ‘sermon slot’, often providing opportunities for discussion about matters relating to the Torah reading or other topical events….and at Wessex LJC, there are always members who are keen to contribute to discussions!

High Holy Days

We offer services for Rosh Ha'Shannah and Yom Kippur, and build a Sukkah. We often have a guest Rabbi leading our High Holy Day services, supported by the community lay leaders, providing thought provoking and engaging services.