West London Synagogue

West London Synagogue on Upper Berkeley Street
Basic information
Location	Upper Berkeley Street, London, United Kingdom[1]
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Municipality	London
Year consecrated	1870
Status	Active
Leadership	Senior Rabbi: Julia Neuberger Presidents: Mark Fox and Alexander Landau
Website	www.wls.org.uk
Architectural description
Architectural style	Neo-Byzantine
Completed	1870

The synagogue, shown from the junction of Hampden Gurney Street and Upper Berkeley Street

The West London Synagogue of British Jews (commonly abbreviated as WLS) is a Reform Jewish synagogue and congregation near Marble Arch in London. It was established on 15 April 1840. Its current building in Upper Berkeley Street dates from 1870, making it the oldest standing Reform synagogue, and one of the oldest synagogues, in the United Kingdom. In September 2013 it was announced that WLS would become the first British synagogue to perform same-sex marriages, effective from January 2014.

History

The West London Synagogue of British Jews was formed by a group of families after breaking away from the Bevis Marks congregation in 1840.^[2] Its first location was a building in Burton Street, and David Woolf Marks was its first minister. On 27 January 1842, the West London Synagogue of British Jews was consecrated,^[3] the name reflecting the unity now existing between Sephardi and Ashkenazi members and expressing the patriotism felt for Britain by its members.

By 1848, the building in Burton Street had become too small for the congregation. A new location was found, in Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, at a cost of £5000, and it was consecrated on 25 January 1849.

From 1849 to 1867 the numbers of the congregation continued to rise, and a new location was required. Eventually, its current location in Upper Berkeley Street was found and was consecrated on 22 September 1870.^[3]

Leadership

Rev Prof David Woolf Marks became the synagogue's first rabbi in 1840^[2] and served in that post until 1895.^[4]

Rabbi Werner van der Zyl, the founder of Leo Baeck College, was Senior Rabbi at West London Synagogue from 1958 to 1968.^[5] Rabbi Hugo Gryn, Holocaust survivor and notable broadcaster, served as Assistant Rabbi from 1964 to 1968 and then as Senior Rabbi until his death in 1996.^[6] Now serving in the emeritus position of senior scholar, Mark Winer succeeded Gryn and served as Senior Rabbi for twelve years, retiring in September 2010.

Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger bercame Senior Rabbi in 2011. The current rabbinic team also includes Rabbi Helen Freeman, Rabbi David Mitchell and Rabbi Sybil Sheridan.^[7]

Customs and ritual

Services at West London synagogue follow the prayer books of the Movement for Reform Judaism, which incorporate material from both Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions. A choir and organ, located behind a screen to the rear of the dais, accompany the congregation in all musical parts of the service except for the aleinu and the kaddish.

Men and women sit together during services, and also play equal parts in leading them. Male worshippers are required to wear a kippah; females can wear one if they so wish, but are not required to do so.

Building

The current building, dating from 1870,^[3] is located near Marble Arch in London. The main sanctuary is built in the Neo-Byzantine architectural style. The premises also contain offices, a library and various community facilities.

The synagogue's organ, which was renovated in 2007, has 55 stops on four manuals and pedal.^[8]

Archives

The synagogue's archives, from 1841 to 1942, are held in the University of Southampton Libraries Special Collections.^[9]

See also

• List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
• List of synagogues in the United Kingdom
• Movement for Reform Judaism

Notes and references

External links

• Official website
• The Movement for Reform Judaism
• West London Synagogue of British Jews on Jewish Communities and Records – UK (hosted by jewishgen.org)

Coordinates: 51°30′55″N 0°09′44″W / 51.5153°N 0.1621°W / 51.5153; -0.1621