Rabbi Francis Berry

Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation

I was ordained by Rabbi Hugo Gryn of the West London Synagogue in the summer of 1989 after 5 years study on the rabbinical training programme at Leo Baeck College. 

Before becoming a rabbi I was a scientist and then a science teacher. I have experience of working on disease control programmes in Africa, Scandinavia, Israel and England. Following Ordination I served Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation until summer 1994 when I moved North to serve Newcastle Reform Synagogue and Darlington Hebrew Congregation, until 1998.

I have also helped Romford United Synagogue with their High Holy Day observances. I returned to BWPJC in summer 2003. I am also a torah scribe, having been commissioned by the West London Synagogue to write them a torah scroll, completed in summer 2000. A year later I wrote a megillat Esther for the same synagogue and I have also completed many mezuzot.

Together with my wife, Kathy, I have developed a Jewish Study Centre and Multi-Faith Retreat in the heart of Brittany where we spend summers welcoming guests on retreat or for study.