Year 7 visit Bristol Synagogue
The Year 7 visit to the Park Row Synagogue in Bristol was a culturally enriching experience for both students and staff.
Park Row Synagogue is the historic home of the Bristol Hebrew Congregation. From the moment we entered, it was clear that the setting was not only aesthetically beautiful but also safe and secure, which made for a very welcoming atmosphere.
The pupils were fully engaged with Tony, the volunteer who kindly led the tour. His talk was incredibly informative, pitched perfectly for our group, and he was wonderfully inclusive throughout the session. All pupils were invited to come up onto the Bimah (platform), where they had the opportunity to view a Torah scroll up close. Tony even allowed them to look inside the Aron Kodesh (The Holy Ark) to see where the scrolls are kept, which was a highlight for many.
A particularly memorable moment was when the yad (pointer) was passed around the group. The pupils responded with genuine curiosity and respect, showing great interest in the items and asking a wide range of thoughtful questions. Their behaviour throughout the visit was excellent, they were polite, respectful, and clearly appreciated the opportunity to learn in such a unique setting. It was also appreciated that pupils were allowed to take photographs inside the synagogue to help capture and reflect on their learning.
Overall, the trip was a great success. We are very grateful to Tony and the Park Row synagogue community for such a warm and educational visit, and we would certainly recommend visiting.
Mr Brown
Head of Religious Studies
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