There are many couples in our community where one person in the partnership is not Jewish. While this person is not able to become a member of the synagogue, they are positively encouraged to take part in all of our activities and many of them do, making valuable contributions.

The Extraordinary General Meeting held on 30 January 2008 gave approval to the proposal to introduce a new category of affiliation to FRS.  We are now able to offer to non Jewish partners of members and others not eligible to be full members, the opportunity to become “Friends of FRS”.

We hope that by taking this step it will help dual heritage families to be able to share as equals in the experiences of synagogue life. We know that making a financial contribution towards something can often make the link feel more tangible, therefore on acceptance as a Friend, we will ask for a small annual fee of £75.

For a Bar or Bat Mitzvah of a child where one of the parents is not Jewish, we like to make this parent feel welcome and comfortable in our service. They are encouraged to come and support the child in the build up to the day and are welcomed on the Bimah to stand next to the child, when the child is reading their Haftarah. They are also included in the family blessing when the child reads their Personal Prayer. We do not allow non Jewish partners to do any of the mitzvot, since these should only be done by Jewish people. Sometimes the non Jewish parent expresses a desire to read something in the service and so where possible we try and do this where we would usually have the study passage.

Click here to download an application form to become a Friend of FRS