Sir Oliver Dowden MP visited the Jewish Life Centre in Borehamwood to celebrate the upcoming expansion of its facilities and to reaffirm his support for the local Jewish community following a rise in antisemitic incidents.

During the visit, Sir Oliver met with Rabbi Chaim Hoch to discuss the Centre’s growing role in the heart of the town. The Centre was set up in 2019 and has a congregation of over 50 people and has lots of programmes on offer. Rabbi Hoch broke ground on the new Centre, marking the official start of development across the road from their current site on Shenley Road.

The visit also provided an opportunity for a serious discussion regarding recent antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish cultural sites and synagogues in north London over recent days, as well as the Hatzola ambulances last month and the Islamist attack on Heaton Park synagogue last autumn.  

Sir Oliver said, “Wonderful to meet Rabbi Hoch and the Jewish Life Centre in Borehamwood to hear about their activities and see their planned exciting new centre.

After the attacks and deep anxiety of recent weeks, it is more important than ever that we celebrate our brilliant Jewish community.”