Lifelong Learning in Synagogues: The Forgotten Communities

ABSTRACT

Though the development of Jewish schools in the United Kingdom has increased enormously in the past 50 years, the planning of adult Jewish education in the UK has been almost entirely ignored. This article explores the purpose and provision of adult education in three communities in the United Synagogue, the largest synagogal body in the UK. Synagogue-based adult education is apparently provided with little planning or measurement of outcomes. Community leaders and members take differing approaches to its aims and success measurement, with socialization being vital for participants, most of whom are in their senior years.

KEYWORDS:

• Lifelong learning
• research
• synagogues
• United Kingdom

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simon Goulden

Simon Goulden is an education and management consultant, writer and international lecturer who lectures and leads museum tours at LSJS (the London School of Jewish Studies). E-mail: [email protected]