The New West End Synagogue, located in St. Petersburgh Place, Bayswater

Bayswater

Bayswater is an area of west London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west . It is a built-up district located 3 miles west-north-west of Charing Cross, bordering the north of Hyde Park over Kensington Gardens and having a population density of...

, London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, is one of the Oldest synagogues in the United Kingdom

Oldest synagogues in the United Kingdom

The designation oldest synagogue in the United Kingdom requires careful definition. A number of synagogues that predate the expulsion of the Jews from England have been discovered by archaeologists or by historians in buildings that have been in use for other purposes for many centuries...

 still functioning. It is one of two synagogues which have been awarded Grade I listed status by the British government and has been described by English Heritage

English Heritage

English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...

 as "the architectural high-water mark of Anglo-Jewish architecture". It is the UK's most popular venue for synagogue weddings and can accommodate approximately 800 people.

Designed by George Audsley

George Ashdown Audsley

George Ashdown Audsley was an accomplished architect, artist, illustrator, writer, decorator and pipe organ designer who excelled in many artistic fields but is perhaps best known today for having designed the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia.Born September 6, 1838 in Elgin, Scotland, apprenticed...

 of Scotland in collaboration with Nathan S. Joseph

Nathan S. Joseph

Nathan Solomon Joseph a British philanthropist, social reformer, architect, and Jewish communal leader.Joseph collaborated on the design of a number of important synagogues, including the Garnethill Synagogue, New West End Synagogue, and Hampstead Synagogue.He was also noted for his work...

, the foundation stone was laid on June 7, 1877 by Leopold de Rothschild

Leopold de Rothschild

Leopold de Rothschild CVO was a British banker, thoroughbred race horse breeder, and a member of the prominent Rothschild family.-Education and career:...

 in the presence of the Chief Rabbi, Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler

Nathan Marcus Adler

Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler was the Orthodox Chief Rabbi of the British Empire from 1845 until his death, probably the most prominent 19th century rabbi in the English-speaking world.-Life:...

, and the building was formally opened on March 30, 1879.

In August 2007, the New West End Synagogue was declared a national monument. Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Azriel Weizmann, , was a Zionist leader, President of the Zionist Organization, and the first President of the State of Israel. He was elected on 1 February 1949, and served until his death in 1952....

, the first president of the State of Israel, and Herbert Samuel

Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel

Herbert Louis Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel GCB OM GBE PC was a British politician and diplomat.-Early years:...

, the British High Commissioner for Palestine during the British Mandate, were both members of the synagogue. Their seats are marked with plaques. The synagogue's first rabbi was Simeon Singer, who translated and edited the Authorized Daily Prayer Book, which is still used in Orthodox synagogues across Great Britain.

The synagogue, which is a constituent of the United Synagogue (Orthodox), serves the Jewish communities of Bayswater, Notting Hill, Kensington, Hammersmith and West London. Opened in 1879, it has in recent years enjoyed a major communal renaissance under the leadership of Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler and his wife Anne.

The New West End provides a full range of communal activities for all ages and tastes. These include regular children's services for the under 5s and over 5s; Hebrew classes for children up to Bar or Bat Mitzvah age; a Mothers & Toddlers Group, regular adult education seminars and lectures; a keep fit group for ladies; an active social committee; a Guild, which organises a range of lectures, outings and charitable activities; an Israel Group which arranges lectures and briefings on the Middle East by experts from all sides of the political spectrum; a Cares Group, which ensures that elderly and infirm members receive regular contact; and a Friendship Club, which meets monthly for more senior members.

Details of all these activities, as well as timetables of current events, contact details, and many more pictures of the interior are featured on the synagogue's website.

Architecture

Particularly notable is the splendid Torah Ark, designed by Nathan it closely resembles the Ark he designed for Glasgow's Garnethill Synagogue

Garnethill Synagogue

Garnethill Synagogue is the historic cathedral synagogue of Scotland. It is located in Garnethill, Glasgow.The synagogue was designed by John McLeod and Nathan S. Joseph and built in 1879-81....

. Both Arks are raised on platforms, approached by a series of circular, marble steps and project into the room in the form as a multi-domed and arched building.

External links

• English Heritage: New West End Synagogue, Bayswater
• Official site
• New West End Synagogue on Jewish Communities and Records - UK (hosted by jewishgen.org).