Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue
Encyclopedia
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has the largest community of any single orthodox synagogue in the whole of Europe. It is a constituent of the United Synagogue
(mainstream orthodox). It is situated in Stanmore
in the London Borough of Harrow
.
The congregation became affiliated with United Synagogue
in 1946, becoming a district synagogue in 1952 and subsequently a constituent (member) synagogue.
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has previously been called "Stanmore and Canons Park District Synagogue" and "Canons Park & District Hebrew Congregation".
has written numerous plays that have been performed by the Youth on stage in the synagogue's main Hall. The Haim Potter series is one of the more famous of the plays. There are four current plays; Haim Potter and the Megillah of Fire, Haim Potter and the Chanukiah of Good and Evil, Haim Potter and the Betrayal of the Chanukiah and Haim Potter and the Gift of Life. The series of plays is a take on Harry Potter
, with Jewish themes such as Charity, Shabbat and Kosher. Haim Potter has also been bought and performed by other synagogues in England. Other plays include Back To Shushan, a take on Back to the Future
, and Grease, a take on Grease
. Rabbi Shaw is indicating that the next yeargroup to perform Haim Potter may do it on the big screen, as they are making a movie rather than an on-stage performance.
Trip (February Half Term Year 10), the Leadership Weekend and finally the Tribe Poland
Trip. The programme is linked closely with Tribe and many of the leaders Stanmore produces go on to lead in other communities.
Bnei Akiva
, a worldwide Jewish youth movement has a branch in Stanmore, as well as JLGB. 16th Edgware Scout Group
(also Explorer Scouts, Beavers
and Cubs
) and 1st Stanmore Guides
(also Brownies and Rainbows
) have their meetings in the community centre.
is the Executive Director. Stanmore's various trips are usually connected with Tribe (Tribe Poland Trip). Year 9-13 participates in the Tribe Football Frenzy.
United Synagogue
United Synagogue is an organisation of London Jews that was founded with the sanction of an Act of Parliament, in 1870. , it remains the largest religious grouping within the British Jewish community and indeed in Europe, covering 62 Orthodox Jewish communities...
(mainstream orthodox). It is situated in Stanmore
Stanmore
Stanmore is a suburban area of the London Borough of Harrow, in northwest London. It is situated northwest of Charing Cross. The area is home to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, high.-Toponymy:...
in the London Borough of Harrow
London Borough of Harrow
The London Borough of Harrow is a London borough of north-west London. It borders Hertfordshire to the north and other London boroughs: Hillingdon to the west, Ealing to the south, Brent to the south-east and Barnet to the east.-History:...
.
History
| 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 United Synagogue
United Synagogue
United Synagogue is an organisation of London Jews that was founded with the sanction of an Act of Parliament, in 1870. , it remains the largest religious grouping within the British Jewish community and indeed in Europe, covering 62 Orthodox Jewish communities...
in 1946, becoming a district synagogue in 1952 and subsequently a constituent (member) synagogue.
Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has previously been called "Stanmore and Canons Park District Synagogue" and "Canons Park & District Hebrew Congregation".
- The current building (Main Shul) was consecrated on 18 March 1951 (Jewish DateHebrew calendarThe Hebrew calendar , or Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today predominantly for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates for Jewish holidays and the appropriate public reading of Torah portions, yahrzeits , and daily Psalm reading, among many ceremonial uses...
: 10th AdarAdarAdar is the sixth month of the civil year and the twelfth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a winter month of 29 days...
5711) by Dayan Dr I. Grunfeld and Isaac Wolfson Esq.EsquireEsquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
. The Synagogue was actually 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 actually bigger than the Main Shul itself.
- The corridor between the Main Shul 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.
- The synagogue added a lift in 2008 so that disabled members could access all parts of the building.
Resident Rabbis
- Rabbi Mendel Lew, Senior Rabbi
- Rabbi Andrew ShawAndrew ShawAndrew Shaw may refer to:*Andrew Shaw , President & CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra*Andrew Shaw , former professional golfer*Andrew Shaw , Canadian ice hockey player...
, former Youth Rabbi now Community Rabbi - Rabbi Melvyn Bloom
- Reverend Gale
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 commuinity. 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.Plays
Rabbi ShawAndrew Shaw
Andrew Shaw may refer to:*Andrew Shaw , President & CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra*Andrew Shaw , former professional golfer*Andrew Shaw , Canadian ice hockey player...
has written numerous plays that have been performed by the Youth on stage in the synagogue's main Hall. The Haim Potter series is one of the more famous of the plays. There are four current plays; Haim Potter and the Megillah of Fire, Haim Potter and the Chanukiah of Good and Evil, Haim Potter and the Betrayal of the Chanukiah and Haim Potter and the Gift of Life. The series of plays is a take on Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
, with Jewish themes such as Charity, Shabbat and Kosher. Haim Potter has also been bought and performed by other synagogues in England. Other plays include Back To Shushan, a take on Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
, and Grease, a take on Grease
Grease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
. Rabbi Shaw is indicating that the next yeargroup to perform Haim Potter may do it on the big screen, as they are making a movie rather than an on-stage performance.
Youth Clubs and Jewish Learning
There are 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.Learn to Lead
Learn to Lead is an extensive programme where the youth 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 PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
Trip (February Half Term Year 10), the Leadership Weekend and finally the Tribe Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Trip. The programme is linked closely with Tribe and many of the leaders Stanmore produces go on to lead in other communities.
External groups
These are groups which either are run by the synagogue, are affiliated with the synagogue or use the synagogue's community centre as a venue.Bnei Akiva
Bnei Akiva
Bnei Akiva is the largest religious Zionist youth movement in the world, with over 125,000 members in 37 countries. It was established in Mandate Palestine in 1929.-History:...
, a worldwide Jewish youth movement has a branch in Stanmore, as well as JLGB. 16th Edgware Scout Group
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
(also Explorer Scouts, Beavers
Beavers (Scouting)
Beavers in Scouting is one name for the youngest section of Scouting with members younger than Cub Scouts and sometimes going to as young as five years of age. Other names are used in some countries...
and Cubs
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
) and 1st Stanmore Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
(also Brownies and Rainbows
Rainbow (Girl Guides)
A Rainbow Guide is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 5 and 7 . Exact age limits are slightly different in each organisation...
) have their meetings in the community centre.
Tribe
Stanmore has a strong connection with Tribe as Rabbi ShawAndrew Shaw
Andrew Shaw may refer to:*Andrew Shaw , President & CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra*Andrew Shaw , former professional golfer*Andrew Shaw , Canadian ice hockey player...
is the Executive Director. Stanmore's various trips are usually connected with Tribe (Tribe Poland Trip). Year 9-13 participates in the Tribe Football Frenzy.
Publications
- Stanmore and Cannons Park Synagogue has a weekly leaflet that is given out on Friday night and Saturday morning. The front cover contains details about the Parashah and a thought from the Rabbi. The middle pages list any celebrations and bereavements in the past week and a list of events happening in the following week. The back page shows which members of the community will be leading/ participating in various sections of the prayer. The leaflet was started in 1994.
- The Youth Service produce their own leaflet called Achlah (meaning 'Cool' in HebrewHebrew languageHebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
). It was started in 2004 and the was name briefly changed to T-Weekly mid 2007.
- The synagogue produces a bi-annual magazine called the Habima.
- Stanmore has its own Birkat HamazonBirkat HamazonBirkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
(Grace After Meals) book, which features a picture of the synagogue on the cover. The book includes KiddushKiddushKiddush , literally, "sanctification," is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat and Jewish holidays.-Significance:...
, ShabbatShabbatShabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
ZemirotZemirotZemirot or Z'mirot are Jewish hymns, usually sung in the Hebrew or Aramaic languages, but sometimes also in Yiddish or Ladino. The best known zemirot are those sung around the table during Shabbat and Jewish holidays...
(songs that are traditionally sung on Shabbat), songs for Seudah ShlishitSeudah ShlishitSeudah Shlishit is the "third meal" customarily eaten by Sabbath-observing Jews on Shabbat .-Practices:According to Halakha, the meal is to be eaten in the afternoon...
(third meal) and finally Birkat HamazonBirkat HamazonBirkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
.
- The shul provide the Daf Hashevua, which is a leaflet distributed to all United SynagogueUnited SynagogueUnited Synagogue is an organisation of London Jews that was founded with the sanction of an Act of Parliament, in 1870. , it remains the largest religious grouping within the British Jewish community and indeed in Europe, covering 62 Orthodox Jewish communities...
shuls.