Community Life

At HPS, community extends far beyond weekend services. Our community life is built on mutual support, shared hobbies, social action, and deep-rooted friendships across Radlett, Elstree, and wider Hertfordshire.

Pastoral Care & Member Support (Chesed)

We are dedicated to looking after one another through every season of life. Our Pastoral Care team and volunteer network ensure that no member feels isolated:

• Welfare & Home Visits: Regular phone check-ins, home visits, and hospital contact for elderly, ill, or isolated congregants.
• Bereavement Support: Compassionate guidance, practical support, and minyan coordination during times of mourning.
• Memory Café: Monthly supportive gatherings hosted at Christ Church for individuals living with memory loss and their carers.

Social Action & Repairing the World (Tikkun Olam)

Living our Jewish values means making a tangible difference in our local and global communities:

• Hertsmere Food Bank Collection: Ongoing collection drives for non-perishable goods and essential household items to support local families in need.
• Eco-Synagogue & Green Initiatives: Environmental projects across our campuses, focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and outdoor biodiversity.
• Interfaith & Refugee Support: Collaborative projects with local faith communities and regional charities providing aid, shelter, and integration support for refugees.

Social & Interest Groups

Our member-led groups offer informal opportunities to connect around shared passions:

• Walking Group (Tefilah B'Teva): Regular countryside walks across Hertfordshire combining gentle exercise, friendly conversation, and outdoor reflection.
• Coffee Mornings & Senior Hubs: Midweek social gatherings for conversation, guest speakers, and light refreshments at both campuses.
• Book Club & Discussions: Monthly literary discussions exploring contemporary Jewish fiction, non-fiction, and international works.
• Young Adult Socials: Informal pub nights, Shabbat dinners, and social outings for members in their 20s and 30s.

An Inclusive & Equal Community

We pride ourselves on being an open, progressive kehillah. We fully welcome multi-faith families, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, neurodivergent members, and people of all backgrounds into every aspect of our communal life.