West London Synagogue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West London Synagogue |
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Hebrew: ק"ק שער ציון
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The synagogue, shown from the junction of Hampden Gurney and Upper Berkeley Streets
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 34 Upper Berkeley Street, City of Westminster, London, England W1H 5AU |
| Country | United Kingdom |
 Location in City of Westminster
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Architectural style | Byzantine Revival |
| Date established | 1840 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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| Construction cost | GB£20,000 |
| Capacity | 1,000 worshipers |
The West London Synagogue (WLS) is a special place of worship for Reform Jewish people. It is also known as the "West London Synagogue of British Jews." Its Hebrew name, Kahal Kadosh Sha'ar Tziyon, means "Holy Congregation Gate of Zion."
You can find this synagogue near Marble Arch in Central London, England. It is located at 34 Upper Berkeley Street in the City of Westminster. The WLS is one of the oldest synagogues in the United Kingdom.
The community started on April 15, 1840. The building you see today was officially opened in 1870. In 1989, it was given a special "Grade II listed" status. This means it's an important historical building.
Contents
History of the Synagogue
How the Synagogue Began in the 1800s
On April 15, 1840, 24 families, including the Mocattas and Goldsmids, decided to start a new Jewish group. They had some disagreements with their old synagogues. They wanted a place where all "British Jews" could pray together.
Their new group met in Burton Street. In March 1841, they hired Reverend David Woolf Marks to lead them. Marks and the group decided to follow a unique way of Jewish practice. They focused mainly on the written Jewish texts.
They changed some traditions, like not celebrating the "second day of festivals." They also removed some prayers based on older Jewish teachings. It took almost 100 years for the synagogue to fully join the main Reform Judaism movement.
On January 27, 1842, the West London Synagogue opened its first permanent home. This was at the Burton Street Chapel. By 1848, the building was too small for everyone.
So, they found a new place in Margaret Street in 1849. This cost £5,000. But by 1867, they needed an even bigger space. The current synagogue building on Upper Berkeley Street opened on September 22, 1870. It cost £20,000 and could hold 1,000 people.
Marks retired in 1895. His replacement, Rabbi Morris Joseph, made more changes. He brought the West London Synagogue closer to mainstream Reform Judaism. For example, he removed prayers that asked for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Synagogue in the 1900s and 2000s
Since the 1920s, men and women at the West London Synagogue have been able to sit together during services. This was a big change for many synagogues. In 1929, Rabbi Harold Reinhart joined the synagogue. He helped connect it with the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
In 1942, the West London Synagogue helped start the Associated British Synagogues. This group is now called the Movement for Reform Judaism.
In 1957, Rabbi Reinhart left and started a new synagogue called the Westminster Synagogue. Rabbi Werner van der Zyl became the Senior Rabbi from 1958 to 1968. Rabbi Hugo Gryn then took over in 1968 and served until he passed away in 1996. Rabbi Julia Neuberger was the Senior Rabbi from 2011 to 2020.
In February 2020, the West London Synagogue stopped being a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. This was after a long disagreement. In February 2023, their official connection to the Movement ended.
Leaders of the Synagogue
Here are the main leaders, called rabbis, who have served the West London Synagogue:
| Ordinal | Officeholder | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Notes |
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| 1 | David Woolf Marks | March 1841 | 1893 | 51–52 years | |
| 2 | Morris Joseph | c. 1893 | c. 1930 | 35–36 years | |
| 3 | Harold F. Reinhart | c. 1929 | 1957 | 27–28 years | |
| 4 | Werner van der Zyl | 1958 | 1968 | 9–10 years | |
| 5 | Hugo Gryn | 1968 | 1996 | 27–28 years | |
| 6 | Mark Winer | 1998 | 2010 | 11–12 years | |
| 7 | Julia Neuberger DBE | 2011 | 2020 | 8–9 years | Emerita since 2020 |
| 8 | Helen Freeman | 1 April 2020 | incumbent | 5 years, 83 days | |
| David Mitchell |
How Services are Held and the Building's Design
Services at the West London Synagogue use special prayer books from the Movement for Reform Judaism. These books combine traditions from both Sephardi (Jews from Spain and Portugal) and Ashkenazi (Jews from Central and Eastern Europe) backgrounds.
A choir and an organ help with the music during services. They are located behind a screen at the back of the bimah (the platform where services are led). Everyone sings along with the musical parts, except for two specific prayers.
Men and women sit together during services. Both men and women can also lead parts of the service. Male worshippers need to wear a kippah (a small cap). Females can choose to wear one if they wish.
The synagogue building, built in 1870, is near Marble Arch in London. The main prayer hall was designed in the Neo-Byzantine style by Davis & Emmanuel. This style uses elements from ancient Byzantine architecture.
The synagogue also has offices, a library, and other community spaces. The bimah and the Torah ark (where the Torah scrolls are kept) were also built in 1869–70. The synagogue's organ was updated in 2007. It has 55 different sounds and four keyboards.
See also
- History of the Jews in England
- List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
- List of synagogues in the United Kingdom
