Following research by The Board into Britain’s Jewish Goth community, west London’s Brentford Synagogue is to be the first in the country to host weekly Goth services.

According to the 2005 poll, 8% of Britain’s Jews between the ages of 13 and 35 identified with Goth culture and music.

With 375,000 Jewish Goths in the UK and 120,000 living within four miles of Brentford Synagogue, Rabbi Kent Levin is offering services relevant to the needs of the Goths.

“When I first came to London in the early 80s, I was aware of the Goth music scene and actually in to it myself and indeed I am still. What always stuck me were the huge numbers of Jews involved in it,” Rabbi Levin said. “So when the Board did some research, it made perfect sense to help Goths with their Jewish needs.”

A weekly alternative shabbat service on a Tuesday evening aims to attract a packed audience of 500 into the synagogue with an overflow service taking place at the nearby Brentford Football Club social bar which has capacity for an additional 300 people.

“If we had the shabbat service on Saturday itself, we would be unable to broadcast it,” said Rabbi Levin. “This is about being both alternative and relevant for young people and by having shabbat services on a Tuesday we can do that by broadcasting it and teaming up with the local football team.”

“Offering relevant services is something we have been trying to do for years,” said Rabbi Barry Goldberg of the Alliance of Jewish Rabbis Trade Union. “I commend Rabbi Levin for what he is doing and hope to see other synagogues offer similar services to its local community.”