Centre for Community Excellence

Empowering communities to reach their potential.

What is CCE?

Formerly known as Centre for Rabbinic Excellence (CRE), Centre for Community Excellence (CCE) is one of the most significant innovations undertaken by the Chief Rabbi since his installation in September 2013, when he laid out his vision for the Jewish community. His priorities for the Jewish communities under his auspices (the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth) include excellence in Jewish education and building stronger communities, and it is these that inform the primary focus of CCE.

CCE began operating as a new department of the Office of the Chief Rabbi in September 2014 and from its inception, adopted a multi-pronged approach to realising a more empowered and more energised UK Jewry. It is overseeing the transformation of synagogues into powerhouses of Jewish religious, educational, social and cultural excellence by supporting communities in expanding their programming. In this way CCE has become a go-to hub for community leaders seeking to enthuse and engage their congregants.

This was an unforgettable event. It shows how some creative thinking can reinvigorate communal life.

Cockfosters & N Southgate member

Our Friday night experience and Shabbat morning service was a big success, it made everyone feel they wanted to be more involved in the Shul and its activities. A very big thank you to the Chief Rabbi and CCE for all their help and time!

Rabbi Stanley Coten

Ruislip Synagogue

Thank you for your help. We could never have managed to pull this off without your support!

Rabbi Yehuda Pink

Solihull and District Hebrew Congregation

Many women attending the ladies trip could not have afforded to, had it not been for the generous CCE grant. I am most grateful to the Chief Rabbi’s office for its assistance.

Birmingham Central member

I gained a great amount of knowledge and understanding of parts of Tanach and Jewish sources that I didn’t know much about.

Alei Tzion member

The community had the chance to spend time together in a way they normally do not have. It was really unique to see young children to seniors sharing meals and relaxing together.

Rabbi Yossi Jacobs

Singers Hill

In addition to assisting individual communities in creating quality programming and events for their members, CCE also runs several flagship projects - The Etz Chaim Project, Investing in Rebbetzens, Community Twinning and Rabbis for Communities, each aiming to strengthen community life, invest in leadership and foster relations between synagogues.

4th March 2015: Purim Celebrations included a children's drumming workshop @ Hadley Wood Jewish Community

Hadley Wood Synagogue's Purim celebrations included a children's drumming workshop

How can CCE help?

Some of our communities are battling to maintain financial viability and are not in a position to finance even modest costs to cover the community programming at the heart of the Chief Rabbi’s transformative agenda. Other communities have the financial wherewithal but not the creative programming ideas. As a result, many communities remain on the launch pad with little hope of lift off. CCE exists to remedy this.

CCE provides practical advice and seed funding to aid the creation of new projects. It has developed a network of renowned educators and speakers, connects with communities and provides access to outstanding examples of best practice. Please see the CCE Case Studies library, which showcases a selection of the most innovative, inspiring and community-oriented programmes that CCE has funded.

To find out how you can maximise your chances of a successful application for funding, read our handy Guide to Applications & Awards.

To submit an application for funding to CCE, please click here.