Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue
The synagogue in winter 2009
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteNusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Mendel Lew
StatusActive
Location
LocationLondon Road, Stanmore, Borough of Harrow, London, England
CountryUnited Kingdom
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue is located in Greater London
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue
Location of the synagogue in Greater London
Geographic coordinates51°37′15″N 0°17′56″W / 51.62083°N 0.29889°W / 51.62083; -0.29889
Architecture
Date established1946 (as a congregation)
Completed1951
Direction of façadeNorth
Website
stanmoresynagogue.org
[1]

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located on London Road in Stanmore, in the Borough of Harrow, London, England, in the United Kingdom.

As of 2012, the congregation had the largest community of any single Orthodox congregation in Europe.[2] The congregation is a constituent of the United Synagogue,[3] and it worships in the Ashkenazi rite.

History

Seat Holders[1]
1946 57 male seat holders
1950 296 male seat holders
1960 594 male seat holders
1970 1,016 male seat holders

The congregation became affiliated with the United Synagogue in 1946, becoming a district synagogue in 1952 and subsequently a constituent (member) synagogue. The congregation has previously been called the Stanmore and Canons Park District Synagogue and the Canons Park & District Hebrew Congregation.[1]

The current building (Main Shul) was consecrated on 18 March 1951 by Dayan Dr I. Grunfeld and Isaac Wolfson Esq. The synagogue was built facing north rather than east (towards Jerusalem). The community centre was consecrated on 8 September 1963. The Freeman Susman Hall (above the community centre) is bigger than the main synagogue. The corridor between the main synagogue and the community centre was widened in an extension in 2002. As part of the extension a garden was established at the front of the building. A lift was added to the building in 2008 to enhance accessibility; and in 2014 the main shul was refurbished as well as half of the classrooms.[citation needed]

Clergy

The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation:[1]

Ordinal Officeholder Term start Term end Time in office Notes
1 S. M. Warshaw c. 1950 c. 1951 0–1 years
2 Avrom Simon Chaitowitz 1954 1986 31–32 years [4]
3 Dr. Jeffrey Cohen 1986 January 2006 (2006-01) 19–20 years Also an author[5]
4 Mendel Lew 2006 incumbent 17–18 years

Youth activities

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue is well known for its youth activities. Stanmore provides a huge variety of programmes for the youth of the community. This includes trips, plays, youth clubs, Jewish Learning and external groups. Stanmore is also well known for its "Learn To Lead" programme, which is now also used in Bushey, Radlett, Edgware and many other communities following its enormous success in Stanmore.

A range of clubs during the week that take place in the community centre or the "Youth Lounge". As for Jewish learning, the synagogue runs a Beit Midrash programme where sixth formers can pair up with older Chavrutahs to learn texts or discuss issues.[6]

Learn to Lead is an extensive programme where young people are given the opportunity to run the activities for the younger children. This starts with weekly sessions then the Learn to Lead Israel Trip (February Half term year 9), the Prague Trip (February half-term, year 10), the Leadership Weekend and finally the Tribe Poland Trip.[7] The programme is linked closely with Tribe and many of the leaders Stanmore produces go on to lead in other communities.[8] Stanmore's various trips are usually connected with Tribe (Tribe Poland Trip). Year 9–13 participates in the Tribe Football Frenzy.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Partnership2Gether". The Jewish Agency.
  3. ^ "Members". United Synagogue.
  4. ^ "Rabbinical Profiles of Orthodox Ministers whose Surnames begin with C". Jewish Communities and Records – UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain.
  5. ^ "Rabbi Dr Jeffrey M Cohen". Rabbi Dr Jeffrey Cohen.[self-published source?]
  6. ^ "Stanmore Tribe". Tribe.
  7. ^ "Tribe Poland Trip". Tribe.
  8. ^ "Tribe Youth Awards" (Press release). United Synagogue.
  9. ^ "Stanmore A Team". Tribe.
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