The historic Old Synagogue in Canterbury was once again filled with Jewish life as members of Thanet and District Reform Synagogue (TDRS) and the wider Kent Jewish community gathered ahead of a performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the nearby Marlowe Theatre.
The synagogue, which fell out of regular use after the Second World War and is now owned by The King’s School, was generously made available for Kiddush before the show. The building is rarely opened for Jewish communal events, making the evening particularly special.
Thirty people from across the county came together in the former synagogue, a space marked by striking stained glass windows, an alcove that once housed the Ark, and an upstairs gallery reflecting its Orthodox origins. The gathering included both children and adults, with participants sharing memories ranging from seeing Topol perform as Tevye on stage to younger attendees confidently singing along to the songs of the show they were about to see.
Zoe Jacobs of TDRS said: “It was very special to bring Jewish life back into such a beautiful and historic space, even briefly, and then to walk together to the theatre knowing we were sharing something joyful and meaningful.”