Jewish Life on Campus
Givat Zvi ( which is Hebrew for Stag Hill) is the name of the Jewish campus community at the University of Surrey. The community is made up of Jewish staff and students with a cross-communal approach.
Jewish life on campus is becoming more diverse. In the coming year the Jewish Society will put on a variety of activities including:- Shabbat Dinners, Purim and Hanukah Parties, Bagel lunches, J-Com Conference. Join the Jewish Society to find out more. Contact: jsoc@guildfordjewish.com
Synagogues
This is a list of synagogues in Surrey with links to website portals. The Jewish Chaplaincy has a good working relationship with all communities in the area.
Orthodox- Independent : Guildford Jewish Community
Orthodox-United Synagogue : Kingston and Surbiton ( United)
Reform - North West Surrey Synagogue - Weybridge
Liberal- Kingston Liberal Synagogue
Kosher Guide for students
Currently Amigos and the Student Union shop do not appear to stock Kosher foods, therefore below is a Kosher guide to Guildford.
Tesco-Guildford
Tesco's has introduced a range of Kosher products including Mr Bagel's bagels, Matzo crackers and Pepperidge Farm biscuits. They have a range of supervised vegetarian burgers, sausages, schnitzels and sweetcorn sticks under their own label marked with a small "Tivali" logo. White Kosher wine (mevushal) has been removed.
Sainsbury's- Burpham (Guildford)
They supply Israeli-supervised vegetarian burgers,sausages and nuggets under their own label ( the one with the hescher!!!) Also, they have LBD approved organic chocolate chip cookies ( with LBD hescher)
Sainsbury's - Cobham
They have the same products as Guildford store but a much better supply of Kosher wines including a good selection of red wines. Kosher wines have improved in recent years and go beyond what the Palwin's label offer. Don't be afraid to try out some of the better Camel wines.
Waitrose- Cobham
They have a Kosher deli section with a wide range of meat products from Yarden and Gilberts as well as other essentials such as houmous, traditional fish products, ready prepared foods and other goods.
Secrett's ( Milford, Godalming)
They have a range of Kosher items. They are imported under American labels and contain a OU stamp on them. For those unfamiliar with this stamp it has a U in a circle ( see diagram). They have one of the few independent fishmongers in South West Surrey and a great selection of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Food for Thought ( Guildford)
Food for Thought in Leapale Road off North St, have a wide range of Kosher vegetarian products, including Tivali products from Israel and Tofutti products such as spreadable cheese and ice cream. This is fast becoming the leading supplier ( though slightly more expensive) of Kosher vegetarian products in Guildford.
Supervised and Unsupervised Bread
The Sephardi Kashrut Authority has approved with immediate effect all bread,rolls and muffins produced by Allied bakeries and made under the brands Kingsmill, Sunblest, Allison, Burgen, Day O Fresh, Perry Choice and Country Maid. After extensive correspondence with Maison Blanc the community believe their bread is acceptable as Kosher. Other branches supply a non-kosher bread( pain de jambon) made using separate utensils, but if supplied to Guildford this should not affect the status of the other breads sold.
Challah can be ordered from this shop, but we warn it is not made under rabbinic supervision.We are investigating the source of the Challah sold at the bread stall at the Friday and Saturday markets in North St.
Jewish law mandates the use of "Pas Yisroel" ( Jewish bread) where possible, but in Guildford this is not usually possible, so the community understand the Allied bakeries and Maison Blanc bread is acceptable.