1766

The first Jewish resident, a silversmith named Israel Samuel, is recorded as living in East Street, in Brighton.

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1792

The first synagogue is opened in a house in the eponymously-named Jew Street, in Brighton. The street was so named because Jewish tinkers were said to work here.

 

1802

A second synagogue opens in a small lane off West Street, in Brighton. Then called Pounes Court, the location of the street today is lost. The earliest map of the area that shows the location of the synagogue dates from 1808.

 

1824

Brighton Hebrew Congregation is established. 

 

During this same year, a plot of land at 37-39 Devonshire Place, in Brighton, is leased. Benjamin Bennett designs a synagogue on this site, and this new synagogue replaces the previous shul in Jew Street. 

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1838

The plot of land at 37-39 Devonshire Place is official purchased. David Mocatta, the Jewish architect who also designed Brighton Station, redesigns and enlarges the property. The iconic Blue Plaque is placed on the exterior of the station. 

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1875

Middle Street synagogue opens. Thanks to the generous philanthropy of the Sassoon family, the Rothschild family, and others, it is lavishly and beautifully decorated. To this day, it remains one of the finest demonstrations of High Victorian decoration. 

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1918

The reconstitution of the congregation leads to the creation of the Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, known still as BHHC. 

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1947/1961

To satisfy the needs of a growing Jewish population in Hove, BHHC purchases the land and a new shul is built on New Church Road, in West Hove. 

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2004

Middle Street synagogue closes for regular services. It remains a site of Jewish worship and is used for weddings, choral events, and education open days. 

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2015

The 250th anniversary of the first Jewish presence in Brighton & Hove is commemorated. 

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Plans for a new synagogue, communal complex and accommodation are developed for the New Church Road site. 

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2020

The New Church Road synagogue is closed and development work begins. 

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2023

The new synagogue and complex open in March, and the community was able to celebrate its first Shabbat in the new synagogue on 4 March 2023. The new synagogue and complex were built on the same site of the existing Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation at 29-31 New Church Road, Hove. 

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2024

BHHC is 200 years old. 

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2025, and onwards...

A committee working to protect the future of Middle Street is in the process of pursuing further heritage funding, working alongside the Foundation for Jewish Heritage.

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2026

Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation, together with the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, moves forward in securing a permanent future for the Victorian gem that is Middle Street Synagogue. Refer to the Middle Street Synagogue page for latest news and updates on its progress.