Truro / Cornwall Kehillat Kernow

(Jewish Community of Cornwall)

Our name
"Kehillat Kernow" mixes Hebrew and Cornish. ‘Kehillat’ meaning Community and ‘Kernow’ being the Cornish name for Cornwall, so we have the Jewish Community of Cornwall.

History or not
Legend has it that Jews arrived in Cornwall over a thousand years ago. Hence names such as Marazion (possibly ‘Jewish Market’ in Cornish) and Market Jew Street in Penzance. However, the stories are almost certainly apocryphal. What is certain is that Jewish communities were established, mainly in Falmouth and Penzance, in the eighteenth century. These died out by the end of the nineteenth, though this was not the end of the Jewish story in Cornwall.

Our community
The new community, Kehillat Kernow, has existed since 1999. Our members come from widely differing backgrounds: former members of the progressive movement, people brought up in the orthodox tradition, others from the reform establishment and some who have converted to Judaism or who are in the process of converting. Altogether we have around a hundred members, with some coming from different countries, including France, the United States, Germany and India. We also welcome Jewish holiday visitors who come to Cornwall from all parts of the world.The final words of the Dr Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, in his book ‘The Dignity of Difference’ apply to the formation of our community within the body of Judaism itself: “Difference does not diminish; it enlarges the sphere of human possibilities.”

Our services
We hold regular fortnightly Shabbat services and celebrate the major festivals. Services are conducted by volunteer members whose prowess grows year by year, and from time to time we have input from student rabbis of Leo Baeck College and from visiting rabbis or others versed in Jewish lore.

Our association with MRJ
We are associated with the Movement for Reform Judaism, from which we have received considerable help and support, especially from David Jacobs, until recently the Director of the MRJ’s synagogue support service. We have, in the past, had the valuable support of Elkan and Celia Levy (peace be upon her) and their visits have always been memorable. 

InterFaith Community
We also work with the InterFaith Community of Cornwall on their programmes Learning for Peace, Sharing for Peace and Building for Peace, and our Chairman and Vice-Chair are members of their Executive.

Contact us
For the speediest and most direct response to enquiries please see our website