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Hertfordshire Progressive Synagogue

Arts & Culture

Celebrating creativity, music, and heritage through Arts at Elstree and across HPS.

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“Culture is the heartbeat of a community — it preserves our memory and inspires our future.”
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
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At Hertfordshire Progressive Synagogue, we believe that culture, music, and the arts are vital pathways for spiritual expression, connection, and learning. Rooted in our community life, our cultural programs bring together artists, musicians, writers, and performers to inspire and engage members of all ages.

Arts at Elstree

Hosted at our historic Elstree campus—a charming former village school with a rich artistic atmosphere—Arts at Elstree serves as our primary cultural hub. This dedicated program showcases diverse creative talents, celebrating both Jewish heritage and contemporary global culture.

  • Concerts & Live Music: Regular chamber music recitals, acoustic folk evenings, Klezmer concerts, and jazz sessions featuring both guest professionals and talented local musicians.
  • Art Exhibitions & Galleries: Transforming our hall and sanctuary spaces to display works by local artists, community photography showcases, and historical exhibitions highlighting regional Jewish history.
  • Film Screenings & Cinema Clubs: Screenings of thought-provoking international cinema, Jewish film festival favorites, and documentaries, followed by informal Q&A discussions over wine and snacks.
  • Literary Evenings & Author Talks: Book launches, poetry readings, and panel discussions featuring contemporary authors, historians, and cultural commentators.
  • Creative Workshops: Hands-on sessions ranging from Judaica crafting, calligraphy, and ceramics to photography, creative writing, and drama workshops.

Our 2026 Sunday Evening Concert

Bookings for the concert on Sunday 19th July concert are now open. This concert features real jazz royalty - John Altman (Soprano Saxophone) and Mitch Dalton (Guitar). It showcases material drawn from The Great American Songbook and includes legendary compositions by George Gershwin, Harry Warren, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington and many others.
​All concerts take place at the synagogue on Sunday evenings at 5:00pm.

​Tickets are £15 (£13 for members of TLSE and Radlett Reform Synagogue and under 21s) and include refreshments with wine in the interval. Parking is available and the synagogue is fully accessible.

​The Arts at Elstree series is curated by cellist Ellen Baumring-Gledhill, a member of TLSE.

Book Now for Our Upcoming Concert

Sunday 19th July - John Altman (Soprano Saxophone) and Mitch Dalton (Guitar)

Book Now

Music & Performance Across HPS

Cultural life at HPS extends seamlessly into our spiritual and social gatherings:

  • The HPS Choir & Musical Worship: Our choir brings soulful harmony to High Holy Day services, special Shabbatot, and interfaith civic events throughout the year.
  • Purim Shpiels & Community Theater: Lighthearted, humorous dramatic productions and musical satires brought to life by adult and youth performers every spring.
  • Cultural Celebrations: Festival-focused arts initiatives, including Chanukah musical jams, Sukkot art in the sanctuary, and family crafting hubs.