Sternberg Centre facts for kids

The Sternberg Centre for Judaism is a special campus in Finchley, London. It's built around an old 18th-century manor house. This centre is home to several important Jewish groups and schools.

It was created to bring together different Reform and Liberal Jewish organizations. These groups are connected to the Movement for Reform Judaism. The centre focuses on education and culture. It opened in 1981 and is named after Sigmund Sternberg. Some of the first groups there were Leo Baeck College, the Movement for Reform Judaism, and the Akiva School. Akiva School was the first Reform Jewish day school in England, also opening in 1981. Later, the (Masorti) New North London Synagogue also moved there. The Sternberg Centre also has the offices for RSY Netzer, a youth movement for Reform Judaism.

The centre also used to host the Jewish Museum, Finchley, until 2007.

Movement for Reform Judaism

The Movement for Reform Judaism has had its main office at the Sternberg Centre since 1981. This Movement is like a central hub for 41 independent synagogues. Staff at the centre help these synagogues. They support smaller communities, run a religious court called the Reform Beit Din, and organize education and youth programs. They also help with things like IT and communication for the synagogues.

The Movement organizes many events. These include a Jewish music conference every two years. They also have weekend retreats and events for people in mixed-faith relationships. There are also events for those thinking about becoming Jewish. A big national conference happens every two years in different places.

Akiva School

Akiva School started in 1981. In 2007, it became a larger school, able to take two classes for each year group. In January 2008, it moved into a brand-new, modern building. Akiva is the only Progressive Jewish primary school in North West London that gets government help. It's a welcoming school that teaches children to be happy, confident, and knowledgeable. They learn to love Israel and all parts of Judaism. Children at Akiva learn to understand and respect themselves, others, and the world around them.

New North London Synagogue

Quick facts for kids New North London Synagogue
The synagogue interior in 2012
Religion
Affiliation	Conservative Judaism
Rite	Masorti Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
Status	Active
Location
Location	80 East End Road, Finchley, Borough of Barnet, London, England N3 2SY
Country	United Kingdom
Location in Greater London
Architecture
Architect(s)	van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Date established	1974 (as a congregation)
Completed	2011

This synagogue is part of the Masorti movement. It was started in 1974 by people who followed Louis Jacobs. Today, it has about 2,400 members. The rabbi (religious leader) of the synagogue since 1987 is Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.

For many years, the congregation met in different places. Then, they raised over £6 million to build their own synagogue at the Sternberg Centre. This new building opened in 2011. It was designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. The synagogue has three places for prayer, a nursery, and a room for teenagers. It also has spaces for social gatherings and offices.

Leo Baeck College

Leo Baeck College is named after Leo Baeck. He was an inspiring German Reform rabbi in the 20th century. The college was founded in 1956. Its main purpose was to train Liberal and Reform rabbis. Today, it trains rabbis and teachers. It also offers advice on education. The college helps develop community leaders. It also provides ways for everyone to learn about Judaism, including working with people of different faiths. It is a university-level institution. It specializes in Hebrew and other Jewish studies. The college is now located at the Sternberg Centre.

Manor House Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling

The Manor House Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (MHCPC) trains people. These people want to work helping others with their feelings and problems. The centre has great teaching rooms, a library, and a cafeteria. It offers training in a type of counselling called psychodynamic counselling. This training helps students work effectively in the community.

Jewish Museum, Finchley

This museum first opened in 1983 as the Museum of the Jewish East End. It was started by David Jacobs. Its main goal was to save the history of London's East End. This area used to have a very large Jewish community, but many people moved away. In 1990, it was renamed the London Museum of Jewish Life. Later, it joined with the Jewish Museum in Camden Town. The museum then started to include the history of other Jewish communities in London. It also teaches about the Holocaust and works against racism.

The Finchley museum closed in 2007. In 2009, it moved to a bigger building at the Camden site. This move made space for the Akiva School to expand.

See also

• History of Church End Finchley – This includes the story of the old Manor House at the centre of the site.
• History of the Jews in England
• List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
• List of synagogues in the United Kingdom