Solihull And District Hebrew Congregation
Charity 1100938
Overview
Summary
Solihull And District Hebrew Congregation appears to operate as more than a place of worship: it is a community anchor for Jewish life in the West Midlands. Its model combines Orthodox religious provision with education, mutual support, social connection and outward-facing work on tolerance and racism. The organisation seems to use a shared physical centre and a broad programme of groups, learning and practical support to sustain a relatively small community across generations while also connecting it to the wider public.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence: the Charity Commission records Birmingham City among the places where the charity operates, alongside Coventry City, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. This supports a regional operational footprint rather than one limited to Solihull.
- Direct evidence: the organisation’s identified synagogue and Jewish Community Centre, and its published programme of worship, education, social and welfare activity, are based in Solihull. Its website also describes services for Jews in Solihull, Coventry and surrounding towns and villages.
- Reasonable interpretation: Birmingham forms part of the organisation’s wider service and beneficiary geography, but the available material indicates that its principal delivery base is in Solihull rather than Birmingham.
- No supplied Birmingham ward or recognised place can be evidenced as a current delivery location. The Charity Commission’s Birmingham City declaration is authority-wide and does not identify a Birmingham site, ward, venue, project location or partner-delivered service.
- The organisation receives support from Birmingham Jewish Community Care, but the annual report identifies this as a grant source only. It does not establish a delivery partnership or an operational location within Birmingham.
- The school-visits programme welcomes local schools and groups to the Solihull synagogue; it does not evidence that the organisation delivers sessions at Birmingham schools.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, service report or project list identifying where Birmingham-based beneficiaries receive welfare, educational, religious or anti-racism activity.
- Confirmation from the organisation of any current Birmingham venues, outreach locations, funded partners or referral arrangements.
- Project-level information identifying whether grants to organisations such as soup kitchens or youth clubs are currently made in Birmingham, and, if so, the relevant wards or recognised places.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Human Resources
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A community infrastructure organisation, not only a synagogue
The available evidence suggests the congregation’s role extends beyond religious services into convening, welfare, education and community resource provision. It appears to function as a hub through which local Jewish social life is organised.
Why it matters
This helps explain why its facilities, volunteer capacity and relationships may be as important as worship itself. Organisations seeking to reach or support Jewish residents may find a trusted local gateway rather than simply a faith venue.
Show evidence
“The charity provides welfare and social support for Jewish people.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity acts as an umbrella or resource body and provides buildings, facilities, services and advocacy.”
Source:Charity Commission“The website lists activities, hall hire, a library, a Judaica store and a newsletter.”
Source:Organisation
Intergenerational connection appears central to its operating model
Its programme appears designed to maintain Jewish belonging across life stages, combining children’s education, adult learning, social activities and specific provision for older people.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation may be addressing continuity as well as immediate needs: passing on religious and cultural knowledge while reducing isolation among members at different ages.
Show evidence
“The charity helps children or young people and elderly or old people.”
Source:Charity Commission“The website lists Cheder, Solihull Academy of Jewish Education, Thursday Club, Retired Gentlemen’s Shiur and Art Class.”
Source:Organisation“The charity’s objects include education for adults and children in the heritage, culture and language of Judaism.”
Source:Charity Commission
It may be a bridge between a distinct community and the wider locality
Alongside serving Jewish residents, the congregation appears to position itself as a public-facing educator on tolerance and racism. School visits may be one practical route through which this bridging role is delivered.
Why it matters
This indicates potential civic value beyond its immediate membership: the organisation may hold local knowledge and educational capacity relevant to anti-racism, religious literacy and community cohesion work.
Show evidence
“The charity undertakes activities to promote tolerance and educate about the danger of racism.”
Source:Charity Commission“The website includes School Visits.”
Source:Organisation“The charity helps the general public.”
Source:Charity Commission
- The scale of membership, geographic reach and frequency of activities are unknown.
- There is no evidence about partnerships, grant recipients, volunteer reliance or outcomes for participants.
- It is unclear how far its anti-racism and school-visit work reaches beyond the congregation.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing attendance, beneficiaries, volunteers and service demand.
- Information on partnerships with schools, local authorities, other faith groups and Jewish welfare organisations.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We organise and act as a facilitator for a broad range of activities, which can be broadly divided into three categories. 1. Social Welfare and support activities particularly for the young and elderly. 2. Activities to promote tolerance and educate about the danger of racism. 3. Religious services for the Jewish population of the West Midlands.
Charity objects
(A) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE JEWISH RELIGION TO INCLUDE PROVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PLACE OF ORTHODOX JEWISH WORSHIP. (B) PROVISION OF EDUCATION TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE HERITAGE, CULTURE AND LANGUAGE OF JUDAISM. (C) PROVISION OF WELFARE AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR JEWISH PEOPLE.