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Home , Bnei Akiva, Israel Brodie, Nathan Marcus Adler

בס״ד The US at 150

THE JEWISH UNITED ACT 1870

The Jewish United Synagogues Act of 1870 was the culmination of developments that began two centuries earlier.

Soon after the Resettlement of 1656, Ashkenazi Jews came into Britain from Holland and Germany. In 1690 they founded the Great in Duke’s Place. The Hambro’ followed at Fenchurch Street in 1702. In 1762 the New Synagogue was opened at Leadenhall Street.

To meet the westward movement of the community, the Central Synagogue was founded at Great Portland Street in 1855 and the Bayswater Synagogue at Chichester Place in 1863.

There was already a great deal of cooperation between the five synagogues. During Succot 1866, Nathan Marcus Adler suggested a merger to strengthen Jewry and provide for its future. Negotiations between the communities and with the Charity Commissioners took some years but finally the scheme was approved. The Act received Royal Assent on 14th July 1870.

Elkan Levy President of the from 1996 to 1999 Ahavat Yisrael • Alei Tzion • Barnet • Belmont • Central Synagogue • & Elstree • • & District • Catford & Bromley • Central • Chelsea • & Hainault • Cockfosters & N Southgate Celebrating • Cranbrook • Ealing • • Enfield & Winchmore Hill • • Finsbury Park • • Hackney & East London • Hadley Wood • Hampstead • • Hemel Hempstead • • Highams Park & Chingford • Highgate • Kenton • Kingsbury • Kingston, Surbiton & District • Luton • Magen Avot • • Mill Hill East • • New West End • Northwood • Palmers Green US 150 & Southgate • Peterborough • • Potters Bar • • The importance of the number 150 out with the aspiration to build a Richmond • Romford & District • Ruislip • • Shenley in Jewish tradition is rooted in the family of communities which would fact that there are 150 chapters in “delight in the of God” and • • South London • South Tottenham • St. the Book of Psalms. serve as a beacon of light and Albans • St John's Wood • Staines • & Canons Park Our Psalms, which, for thousands inspiration throughout the British of years, have provided us with Empire. • Sutton & District • Watford • Welwyn Garden City • Wembley support and inspiration for the What subsequently unfolded has vicissitudes of life, are bookended been extraordinary. Countless lives • Western Marble Arch • Woodford Forest • by two significant verses. Psalm have been uplifted and enhanced. by Chief Rabbi 1 commences with the words The United Synagogue continues “Happy is the person...” and goes to stand proudly as a bastion of on to provide the keys for joy and Jewish tradition and observance, … we are celebrating all the know it will accomplish in the meaning in life, “when you delight which serves as a model of future. in the Torah of God and meditate in communal excellence throughout more because of what the United I am privileged to see so many words of Torah day and night”. the Jewish world. The collective of our communities transforming Psalm 150 concludes with words efforts of so many outstanding Synagogue accomplishes today themselves from houses of prayer we are familiar with from our daily spiritual and lay leaders over the into powerhouses of Jewish prayers: “Let every soul praise course the last 150 years, have not religious, social, educational and God. Praise be God!’ What begins only delivered upon the aspiration and because of what we know it cultural excellence. And, against as an aspiration to delight in the to “delight in the Torah of God” the odds, we have reached even study and practice of Torah, ends in but have also delivered on our will accomplish in the future. greater heights during the dramatic enthusiastic praise of the Almighty. collective mission: “Let every soul upheavals of the Coronavirus period. 150 years ago, my illustrious praise God. Praise be God!” Today, 150 years young, the United predecessor, Chief Rabbi Nathan the United Synagogue produces a The Talmud teaches that you our celebration of 150 years of Synagogue continues to be a major Marcus Adler, presided over the truly outstanding ‘Kiddush Hashem’ can only know where you are going the United Synagogue. We have a and vital force in British Jewish formation of the United Synagogue, – a sanctification of the name of to if you understand where you remarkable history to proudly look communal and religious life. mandated by an Act of Parliament. the Almighty - within the United have come from. Our celebration back upon, but we are celebrating As we engage in our thanksgiving This ambitious project started Kingdom and well beyond. of the past facilitates our success all the more because of what the to God for the last 150 years, we in the present and the future. This United Synagogue accomplishes know that, please God, the best is brings us to the very essence of today and because of what we yet to come. In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion 1870 • 1871 • 1872 • 1873 • 1874 • 1875 • 1876 • 1877 • 1878 • 1879 • 1880 • 1881 There is much to celebrate • 1882 • 1883 • 1884 • 1885 • 1886 • as we approach our 150th 1887 • 1888 • 1889 • 1890 • 1891 • 1892 birthday, even as we evolve • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • again, with God’s help, to 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 by Michael Goldstein, face current and future United Synagogue challenges… • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • President regional communities. We are communities. We hope we will 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 also focusing on new areas of come out of this period stronger Jewish growth, always conscious than ever as a community. • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 that working together is better for The input of our lay leaders us all. and other volunteers has been • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • Our 150th celebrations have phenomenal and has helped to been curtailed due to difficulties maintain our communities as 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 and tragedies of the Covid-19 vibrant places, even with their pandemic. Instead, we have doors closed. • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • focused on helping our community Along with all the US Trustees, I as best as we can. I am proud express our enormous thanks to all 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 of the way in which the United of our staff and volunteers. Synagogue has worked during this This activity and its religious • 1943 • 1944 • 1945 • 1946 • 1947 • crisis to support people across our value, has its roots in the Mishnaic community and beyond, working teaching by Shimon Hatzadik in 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 together as a Kehilla, a community Pirkei Avot (1:2, page 524 in the which takes responsibility for both green siddur) that the world stands • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • itself and beyond its borders. on three things – Torah, Avodah Back in 1870, five Ashkenazi shuls Carrying out so many funerals (prayer) and Gemilut Chasadim 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 in London decided that they were has been extremely challenging (altruistic kindness). These three US 150 stronger together. The Great, The but the incredible United things stand at the heart of the • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 Hambro, The New, Central and Synagogue Burial Society together United Synagogue and its purpose, Bayswater all joined forces to with our Rabbis and Rebbetzens as outlined by Rabbi Nathan become the United Synagogue. have shown extraordinary Marcus Adler, our founding Chief • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 Instead of duplicating resources, care and compassion to all the Rabbi. they worked together for the good mourners. There is much to celebrate as we • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 of the community. This was a Meanwhile our innovations approach our 150th birthday, even revolutionary idea. We continue in online learning, livestreamed as we evolve again, with God’s • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • to benefit from it and the work of Kabbalat services, ‘at help, to face current and future all of those in our communities home’ social events and more challenges for the betterment of 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 since then. have multiplied week by week the Jewish people. Thank you for Over the years, the United delivering educational, fun being part of the United Synagogue • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 Synagogue has evolved further. and inspiring content to our and our modern-day kehilla ideals. More communities have joined, members in addition to the superb May God bless and protect us and • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 including a growing number of programmes put on locally by our the whole world. • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 The United Synagogue A BRIEF TIMELINE

Dayan Yechezkel The five Ashkenazi Abramsky Hambro' New Synagogue Central Synagogues join Rabbi Hermann becomes Rosh of Synagogue moves to Great St. Synagogue to form the United Marcus Adler Rabbi Joseph US comprises 21 the London Beth Nineteen more established Helens established Synagogue succeeds his Herman Hertz communities Din communities join father as Chief becomes Chief 1707 1837 1855 Rabbi Rabbi 1914 1931 1931-38 1690 1870 1761 1845 1863 1891 1913 Foundation of the New Rabbi Nathan Bayswater Great Synagogue Synagogue Marcus Adler Synagogue established becomes Chief established 1939 Rabbi US 1945-55 comprises 52 1948 Thirty more communities Rabbi Brodie communities join 1967 becomes Chief 1970 Rabbi Immanuel Rabbi 1984 100th Jakobovits becomes 1991 Dayan Chanoch anniversary Chief Rabbi Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Ehrentreu celebrations 1995 becomes Chief Rabbi becomes Rosh 2007 2003 125th Anniversary of the London Dayan Menachem Gelley Launch of Tribe for Celebrations Beth Din appointed Rosh of the United Synagogue Youth

2007 US Chesed, including chaplaincies 2008 US comprises over 2010 60 communities Launch of US Living and Learning 2013 Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is installed 2014 as new Chief Sheffield, first regional US 2016 Rabbi Birmingham community 2018 Central Launch of the 2018 Synagogue joins KLBD product Consecration the US search app for of new Bushey cemetery 2020 1000s of products The United Synagogue celebrates it's 150th Anniversary RABBI JOSEPH as a resurgence of adult interest in Jewish learning. HERMAN HERTZ - The friend and confidant of Prime Ministers, he was FROM 1913 TO 1946 knighted in 1981, and raised to the peerage as Lord Rabbi Hertz’s fervent Jakobovits in 1987. support for the Zionist Chief Rabbis movement led to a decisive intervention RABBI JONATHAN of the United Hebrew Congregations of the in May 1917 during the SACKS - FROM 1991 TO negotiations leading to 2013 the . An accomplished Commonwealth since the establishment of In 1920 the Chief Rabbi undertook the first pastoral intellectual holding tour of Empire Jewry, which included some 42 multiple academic and communities in , , New Zealand honorary degrees, as the United Synagogue in 1870 and Canada. Rabbi Hertz' most lasting contributions Chief Rabbi he advocated to Jewish scholarship are his English commentaries for the enhancement of on the Chumash and the Siddur. educational, outreach and community development opportunities – an aim realised with the establishment of more synagogues, RABBI NATHAN RABBI ISRAEL BRODIE Jewish schools and improved welfare facilities. In MARCUS ADLER - - FROM 1948 TO 1965 2005 he was knighted "for services to the Community FROM 1845 TO 1890 Newcastle-born Rabbi and to Inter-faith Relations", and in 2009 was Rabbi Adler was the Brodie was Senior Jewish honoured with a seat in the . He has first Chief Rabbi to Chaplain to the Armed received critical acclaim for his many written works. undertake regular Forces during World Rabbi Sacks continues to teach prolifically via www. pastoral tours within War Two. He led the rabbisacks.org and his social media platforms, the United Kingdom. community through the including his weekly ‘Covenant & Conversation’ essay In 1866, he urged the difficult days caused by on the parasha, with its accompanying Family Edition. lay leaders of the three the end of the British City Synagogues - the Great, the New, and the Mandate in Palestine. Through the Conference of Hambro’, and their branch synagogues at Great European Rabbis, which he founded and led, he RABBI EPHRAIM Portland Street and Bayswater, to form the United played a significant role in rebuilding the religious MIRVIS - FROM 2013 TO Synagogue, established by Act of Parliament in 1870. life of European Jewry after the Holocaust. He was THE PRESENT He established the religious basis of the United knighted "for services to British Jewry", the first Chief Chief Rabbi Mirvis was Synagogue and provided authorisation to what Rabbi to be so honoured. The United Synagogue, in installed on 1 September became known as the Singer’s Prayer Book. particular, expanded enormously during his tenure. 2013 in an historic ceremony attended by HRH The Prince of Wales. RABBI HERMANN RABBI IMMANUEL Born in South Africa, he ADLER - FROM 1891 TO JAKOBOVITS – FROM previously served as Chief 1911 1966 TO 1991 Rabbi of Ireland and most recently as rabbi of Finchley Under Rabbi Hermann Rabbi Jakobovits served Synagogue (Kinloss) in London. Adler’s leadership the as Chief Rabbi of Ireland As Chief Rabbi, he is a principal representative United Synagogue and founding rabbi of the of the Jewish community to government, the media developed a distinctively Fifth Avenue Synagogue and other faiths. He is responsible for oversight of English style of Orthodoxy, in New York before crucial parts of the UK Jewish community’s religious broad and tolerant while assuming the position of infrastructure. He has launched a number of innovative maintaining full Jewish Chief Rabbi in London. projects, such as the Ma’ayanot Female Educators observance. Rabbi Adler was instrumental in making A prolific writer and authority on Jewish Medical Programme, Shabbat Neshama, the Ben Azzai Social provision forv the great number of Jewish immigrants Ethics, he placed firmly at the Responsibility Programme and, of course, Shabbat UK. from Eastern Europe and in acclimatising them to top of the communal agenda; his tenure saw an You can learn more from the Chief Rabbi at English life. enormous expansion of Jewish Day schools, as well www.chiefrabbi.org developed by Jews elsewhere in of faith in 1870. In religious terms, the the 19th century, particularly in the In choosing the name United Synagogue was the outcome United States and Germany. Extracts Kehila Kedosha of this vision. Communities would from Community of Faith have also work together for the good of the appeared in our US 150 series; it Yisrael, whole, overcoming territorialism. We קהילה קדושה remains the definitive work on the continue to benefit from this today. United Synagogue as a religious Rabbi Adler set out Rabbi Adler, not long after taking organisation. his vision which office in 1845, had already identified Rabbi Sacks describes kehilla as the practical manifestations of such כנסת ישראל a community model which not only persuaded several a communal vision, based on the looks after its members from cradle Mishnaic teaching (Pirkei Avot, 1:2) of to grave, but which makes a group communities Torah, Avoda and Gemilut Chasadim greater than just the individuals who to overcome which was described by our President, Kehila Kedosha comprise it. Its earliest mention in the Michael Goldstein, in his article on Torah is in Shemot chapter 12 where, differences and unite page 6. These manifestations were as Bnei Yisrael prepare to leave Egypt, through “educational establishments, they are described as kehal adat as a community of houses of worship and institutions of Yisrael. The use of kehal here, another faith in 1870. charity of benevolence.” verbal form of kehilla, emphasises In 1995, Rabbi Sacks wrote that the how they had to come together to look [their energies] into study and worship achievement of 1870 is still worthy after each other at that fateful time. and acts of social welfare. They of celebration. It remains so today. In The phrase Knesset Yisrael does constructed synagogues, but what concluding chapter 13, Rabbi Sacks What lies behind the Hebrew name of not have a clear Biblical precedent. they built was communities of faith” writes, “…that has always been Rabbi Sacks explains it as follows, (pp. 4-5). the role of the synagogue, to bring “A Jewish legend says that when the Knesset Yisrael expresses the the entire community together, old the United Synagogue? Temple was destroyed, splinters from ‘community of faith’ at the heart of the and young, rich and poor, righteous its stones entered the hearts of the United Synagogue, which Rabbi Sacks and not-yet righteous and create Rabbi Michael Laitner, Jewish people. When they gathered describes as an ‘undertaking’ rather in their midst an openness filled Director of Education for the United Synagogue as Knesset Yisrael, the congregation than an ideology. by the Shechina (Divine Presence). of Israel united across space and In choosing the name Kehila That defines the United Synagogue’s and assistant Rabbi at Finchley Synagogue time in the collective service of God, Kedosha Knesset Yisrael, Rabbi Adler challenge and its faith.” they became a kind of human Temple set out his vision which persuaded May God bless us to be worthy The catalyst for Rabbi Adler, as we shall see, this and in their lives the Divine Presence several communities to overcome proponents of Kehilla Kedosha the Jewish United communal discussion was of such found its earthly home…they put differences and unite as a community Knesset Yisrael. Synagogues Act of 14 vital importance and holiness, that July 1870, which united it was worthy of taking place in his five London Ashkenazi congregations succah. into one body, is often seen as the Whilst the meeting in the succah famous Succot breakfast meeting was the shorter-term catalyst, there between the then-Chief Rabbi, Nathan were other factors which must also be Marcus Adler, and wardens of the considered. Some of these have been Great Synagogue, Dukes Place, in 1866. set out in previous articles by Simon It was hosted by the Chief Rabbi Goulden, Miriam Marson and Ben Vos in his succah, where he advocated during our US 150 series. for what would become the United In this article, we focus on Chief Synagogue, or, as he called it in Rabbi Adler’s vision for the proposed Hebrew and was written into the organisation, as reflected in its Schedule to the Act, Kehila Kedosha Hebrew name. The basis of this article Knesset Yisrael – the holy community, is found in Community of Faith, Community of Faith analyses the the congregation of Israel. A succah written by Rabbi Lord Sacks in 1995 United Synagogue’s Hebrew name and is a place of holiness and our conduct to celebrate the United Synagogue’s its significance as well as different inside it should reflect this. For Chief 125th anniversary. forms of community organisation TRIBE YOUTH PROGRAMMES ISRAEL FUND Our special programme for teenagers includes Shabbat The Israel Fund provides an effective way for members morning services, kiddush,Shabbat afternoon get- of our community to make a significant difference togethers, social programmes, fun activities and to the lives of Israeli men, women and children who leadership training. Tribe camps and leadership courses, suffer from disability, social deprivation, or illness. away trips to and Poland with Tribe for older The Fund functions as a significant bridge between our year groups offer a hugely important expansion of their synagogue and Israeli citizenship and forms part of the Jewish horizons, as well as a way of retaining their community’s Kol Nidre appeal. connection with community during later teenage years.

BA – ON SHABBAT AFTERNOON SOCIAL EVENTS This youth group takes place at shul for two There are multiple entry points into community. Not hours every Shabbat afternoon. It offers a fun and Table top everyone is seeking a ‘religious’ experience but educational social context, particularly on a long nevertheless enjoy the experience of being part of a Shabbat afternoon. Run by our own young people it community and meeting new people. The social events offers a platform for developing leadership skills and that our synagogue organises often attract members provides the young participants with role models. discussions who do not attend religious services. The activities As a religious Zionist movement, it also provides a help to strengthen the community and create a space connection with Israel. by Rabbi Eli Levin, South Hampstead Synagogue in which people of all backgrounds and levels of observance can feel comfortable. CHEDER In the coming week, the US celebrates its 150th anniversary. In 1870, This is the main way in which children who do not community leaders had to decide on the priorities for the fledgling SYNAGOGUE SERVICES attend Jewish schools acquire Jewish knowledge. The daily services as well as the Shabbat and Festival Creating a fun learning and social environment for organisation. In this engaging Dragons Den style activity, people in your services are the ticking heartbeat of the community. the children at our cheder ensures that they leave home or meeting up online have to advocate for why a particular function of a This is where people unite through their ‘worship of their cheder years with a positive feeling about their the heart’. A small, dedicated group of people keep the Jewishness, a familiarity with a wide range of Jewish synagogue community is more critical than any other. If the community budget daily services going. For those who have yahrzeit, have knowledge and practice and the ability to read Hebrew. could only provide for one programme which would it be and why? suffered a loss, or are in need of emotional support, the daily service is a place of refuge and comfort where they find companionship and nourishment. PROGRAMME FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS Here are some generic examples of community activities. Each person should represent one activity and argue A fortnightly lunch for the older members of the their case against another. When you eventually vote and agree on a winner, I hope that you will also agree that a community prepared by younger members with combination of all these community functions makes a community the place that it is! ADULT EDUCATION entertainment and transport included. An opportunity Knowledge and learning are at the centre of . to make older members feel valued in the community in The wide ranging education programme in person addition to providing a social outlet for those who are CHILDREN SERVICES COMMUNITY CARES PROGRAMME and online provides skills, textual learning, discussion housebound or lonely. Popular Shabbat and Festival children services for The community caring for its own. Visiting, phoning and exploration. In so doing it provides members, children of all ages from 1-11 years provide a fun and shopping for the elderly, meal trains for parents some of whom have had little previous engagement and educational environment, inducts children into with new borns, those who have been bereaved and with Jewish study, the opportunity to grow in their community life and makes them look forward to coming the ill as well as hospital visits. Support for people in knowledge and commitment. As committed adults they to shul (as well as bringing parents and other relatives). whichever way it is needed. are able to engage more effectively with their children. Opening our The United Synagogue’s doors and next 150 reaching out years by Jo Grose, Director of Communities and Strategy

The United Synagogue is by how their strongly they felt about this group had met, despite living an outreach organisation their Shabbat morning services. When around the corner from each other. as well as a charity. I asked why Shabbat morning over all Some, it turned out, had even been Some of you might else, the answer was not the quality of to Jewish schools together. However, have just wondered if you misread the davening or sermon, rather, it was for the last few years, few of them this opening statement. ‘Outreach’ is the opportunity to meet and socialise had participated in Jewish life. There simply not a word we normally use to with other local Jewish people over was a tangible excitement in meeting describe the United Synagogue. kiddush and to see familiar faces other local Jewish people and noting When asked what the United regularly. Many of those people lived shared experiences and a broad Synagogue is, some people talk about alone but once a week they gathered acknowledgment that they were our structure, our communities, our together to have a shared, if modest, missing aspects of Jewish life. They functions and our illustrious history Shabbat experience. proposed establishing a youth group but stop short at describing our I would like to share another and organising a delivery of freshly- purpose. Why are we here? I would snapshot. Last year we helped to baked challah. By the end of the argue that, quite simply, our purpose organise a meeting in an area that evening a vision of a new community is outreach. had recently seen significant growth was being formed, based on outreach. In my role as Communities Director, in its Jewish population. It was a Let us add to these snapshots the I am incredibly fortunate to see scene that would be familiar to many; extraordinary response to COVID that communal life in action across the event planning around a table laden has taken place across the United United Synagogue. Our communities with snacks. In this case, however, Synagogue over the last few months are remarkably diverse and each visit something fascinating was happening. - regular phone calls to members over is a learning experience. It is these This was the first time that many in 70, doorstep visits to those shielding, small encounters that shine a light on food packages delivered to those the work of the charity as a whole. As we step into in need and an explosion of online Some time ago, I visited one of our programming that is accessible to all. smaller communities. The average our next 150 years To my mind, all of these activities age of the membership was over let us be proud have the same purpose. They 70 and most were not religiously engage Jews in Jewish life in all of observant. At that stage, there were to say that this is its splendid forms - from the chat no weekday activities and I was keen over kiddush, to the building of new to hear from them what more we who we are. The communities, from the online gemara could do to keep their community United Synagogue shiur to the cheesecake delivery for vital. I had been anticipating talking Shavuot. As we step into our next 150 about cultural events, support groups is an outreach years let us be proud to say that this is and friendship circles events but as who we are. The United Synagogue is the conversation ensued I was struck organisation. an outreach organisation.