Visions and Values
At FRS we strive to connect people to one another, to their Judaism and to the world. We are...
INNOVATIVE
Whether it is our Drive-in services at Rosh Hashanah when we were not able to meet in person due to Covid-19; our Shavuot celebrations where children (and adults) were able to climb a ‘real’ Mount Sinai; or offering our building to the local Somali Bravanese community for Ramadan prayers when their own home was burned down in an arson attack… FRS is never afraid to push boundaries, to try something that has never been done before.
VALUE-DRIVEN
In line with Reform Jewish values, we offer equal opportunities to everyone at FRS, and we are strongly committed to Israel. In our religious practice, we remain deeply connected to our tradition, while also aiming to experience our Judaism through the lens of the current time.
CARING
We look both outwards and inwards in our work of tikkun olam – healing the world. For example, we run a weekly homeless shelter through the winter months, and we support the Jewish communities of Belarus. We are there for our community at all life stages, and our Chesed group gives practical and emotional support where it is needed.
INCLUSIVE
Everyone should feel welcome and comfortable within our community. We actively seek to be as inclusive as possible in every aspect of our work, whether it is by welcoming non-Jewish partners, running inclusive Shabbat services or giving financial support so that everyone can join our activities.
JOYFUL
In a world that is often incredibly challenging, FRS aims to bring joy into the lives of as many as possible, whether it is through countless opportunities for singing together, noisy games at our youth Summer Scheme, the chance for learning and connection at a community residential weekend, or dancing the evening away at Simchat Torah.
AMBITIOUS
Wherever we are, we are always striving to move forwards, to meet the ever changing needs of the community. For example, our recent ‘connectors’ scheme aims to make regular personal contact with all our members; we fundraised to take our teens on an inspiring trip to experience Jewish New York; we run annual Holocaust education workshops for 1,000 visiting school children, and – most ambitiously of all – we are developing a brand new building because, after 50 years, our current home is no longer fit for purpose.
NURTURING
Children at FRS are given countless opportunities to develop both their relationship to Judaism, and their confidence to become whoever they choose to be. They journey through kindergarten, our Hebrew school, and creative B’nei Mitzvah classes, until as teenagers they are trained to take a leadership roles, teaching and inspiring younger children in their turn.
