Residents

Cambridge has a thriving Jewish community who are very welcoming to the students.

The Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation hold Orthodox services at Thompsons Lane which are run by the students during term time and the residents in the vacation. There are a cheder and adult learning classes, in addition to various communal events.

Beth Shalom holds Reform services. For more information on those services contact them through their website or the CUJS JSEM reps. Beth Shalom also has a cheder and runs various other communal events. Students are welcome any time but once a term there is a student shabbat with a special kiddush to which they are especially welcome!

The Cambridge Jewish Residents Association was the original resident organisation set up in 1940 following the influx of evacuees and refugees into Cambridge and the need for a Jewish Burial Ground. The Jewish section of the Newmarket Road City Cemetery dates from this time. There was only one Residents association in Cambridge (CJRA) until about 1979-80 when the Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue and the Cambridge Traditional Jewish Congregation became separate entities. The central part is the CJRA and we have about 140 families on our mailing list and we try to act as an umbrella group for the whole community. Now we concentrate on social, educational, cultural and welfare activities that can encompass Jews of all persuasions in Cambridge.

There are various other groups involved in Jewish Cambridge life including a very active Friends of Magen David Adom.