Maidenhead's new rabbi enjoys his first successful Mitzvah Day

Maidenhead Synagogue enjoyed its yearly ‘good deeds’ day last weekend – for the first time under its new Rabbi, René Pfertzel.

Earlier this year, longstanding former rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain moved on to pastures new after 44 years of service in the town.

Rabbi René was born in France and for the first part of his career devoted himself to teaching. He decided upon a career change in his early forties.

An active member of the Reform Jewish community in Strasbourg, he became ordained in 2014 and divided his time between France and the UK. He joined Kingston Liberal Synagogue in April 2017.

Rabbi René is ‘an accomplished singer’ and ‘loves using music to enhance services.’

Speaking to the Advertiser, he said his transition to Maidenhead Synagogue is ‘going really well’.

“It’s a big step because I was in Kingston before and Maidenhead is one of the largest synagogues, he said.

“It’s in very good shape and I have very good colleagues, very committed and engaged.”

Following in the footsteps of Rabbi Romain, ‘people kept telling me these were big shoes to fill,’ he said.

“But I bring my own shoes – my own ideas. It’s a new chapter for the synagogue and for me.

“I’m pragmatic. I first need to see what’s happening in Maidenhead and around. Everything’s a work in progress.”

Much like his predecessor, Rabbi René is a keen advocate for building interfaith relationships.

In the past, he has been instrumental in promoting good relationships between the Kingston Liberal Synagogue and other faith communities in the area, particularly Christian and Muslim.

He has joined WAMCF, the Windsor and Maidenhead Community Forum, the aim of which is to strengthen friendship and trust among the different faiths within the Royal Borough and within the wider community.

As ever, this year the synagogue organised a Mitzvah Day of action in the community.

Mitzvah means commandment but it also means good deeds – and is an opportunity for the synagogue to open up to the wider world and reach out to other communities.

Organised by Alexandra Domingue, the Maidenhead Synagogue activities included litter picking in the streets, going to a care home to talk to residents, cooking for the homeless, and cleaning the cemetery in Braywick.

The RBWM Mayor attended the day and members of three different faith communities joined in for three collect-a-thons and 10 different activities.

“We had around 100 volunteers in total join us to make a difference. It was a fantastic day,” said Alexandra.

The award-winning Knit Your Socks Off (KYSO) and Mitzvah Day volunteers -with Mayor Cllr Simon Bond.

Also speaking about Mitzvah Day at the Synagogue, the new Rabbi said:

“Personally I always like anything that’s about relationships. Going to talk to residents in care homes, [for example].

“They [the residents] were very happy to see younger people and have an informal chat. Bringing communities together is what’s really important to me.”

This links in with Rabbi René’s passion for interfaith connection, too, which Mitzvah Day embraces.

Rabbi René is keen on ‘anything that’s building dialogues between communities, having conversations – not always easy conversations.’

“One of the challenges is keeping an open channel with communities,” he said.

Rabbi René added: “I’m very delighted to be in Maidenhead, it’s a gorgeous place.

“People are welcome, if they want to talk to me, to contact the synagogue – whatever they want to talk about.”