Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue (HGSS)

 is a young, thriving modern orthodox community of more than 1200 families, with over 1000 children under the age of 21.

History

The Community was founded in 1934 and is a flagship of the UNITED SYNAGOGUE family. The Synagogue was rebuilt in 1963 and is well maintained, keeping to its original style and structure. In 1968 the complex was extended to include a large communal hall, kitchens, youth synagogue, classrooms and a caretaker’s flat.  In 2001 the complex was again extended to include a small function hall to seat 180, with multi media resources, a built in Ark and a lift to the ladies Gallery with a Halachic Shabbat mode.

The Professional Team

Under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Reuven Livingstone (since 1999) and our Chazan Avromi Freilich (since 1994- part time since 2002) and supported by 5 Honorary officers and a strong and committed Board of Management, we have gone from strength to strength. We have a full staff in the office including full time Administrator, Chief Executive and Facilities Manager.

Services

The synagogue follows United Synagogue orthodox practices. Women sit upstairs in the Ladies gallery, while a few seats behind a Mechitzah at the back of the Men’s section can be used for ladies unable to go upstairs.

The atmosphere in the synagogue is friendly. The focus is on inclusiveness, offering a warm welcome to everyone, whatever his or her level of observance, and providing an opportunity for each individual to develop spiritually and communally at his or her pace. On Shabbat the synagogue is full to capacity. We also have three alternative services on offer over a 3 week cycle of Hashkamah, Sephardi or Educational services and have achieved a regular attendance of around 60.  In the summer we have a regular Seuda Shlishit after Mincha with guest speakers or a Shiur in Shul.

We also have well attended weekday services; morning service in the Shul and afternoon and / or evening services in the Beit Hamedrash.  Friday night (Kabalat Shabbat) is also well attended, and in the winter, young boys lead the Yigdal and there is a short D’var Torah after the service.  Additionally we run 4 High Holidays services, from Main, Hall, Sephardi, 19 –30’s, Youth and explanatory services in the main complex.

There is a kiddush every week in the adjoining Community Hall to which everyone is welcome. Most weeks we celebrate a simcha of a birth, Bar / Bat Mitzvah, future wedding or a special birthday, if not several of these.

Youth and Children

Our Youth programmes are innovative and appealing and continue to attract an increasing number of children, both on Shabbat morning and during the week under the direction of David + Shevi Bloom, Youth Directors.   Our Youth Minyan offers a full Shabbat morning service for Years 7-13, attracting a growing number of youth each week. Together with the Youth Minyan and weekday clubs and courses, around 140 youngsters attend our Youth Centre each week. The weekly activities include a Years 10-13s club, NTT (nine to twelve) and NT2 (twelve year olds).  The Religious youth group, Bnei Akiva is highly successful on Shabbat afternoons.

Every Shabbat five children’s services take place, attended by some 250 children, with much larger numbers on festivals.  The arrival of the eruv has brought more families to the premises on a regular basis, all of whom we are trying hard to accommodate.

We have the biggest Chedar / Sunday School in London on Sunday mornings with over 200 pupils. 

We have a new and successful Young person and young married Group (Chaverim) that arranges social and educational activities. The North West London Jewish Singles group is run from our premises and we have daytime outings and activities for our senior members.

Kerem School

This primary school for children between 5 – 11 year olds is an integral part of the community and is housed in the Synagogue complex. Over 80% of Kerem’s parents are HGSS members. Kerem was highly acclaimed in a recent OFSTED report.

Social and Educational

To achieve spiritual development of the congregation, a wide range of social, educational and cultural programmes to stimulate and challenge members irrespective of their level of observance are made available during the year. We have a comprehensive programme, of shiurim some of which have been organised in collaboration with JLE, Aish Hatorah, Seed and Spiro Ark to provide programmes for the community, as well as using a wealth of talented and knowledgeable members of our own community. We have ladies learning programmes and prayer groups organised by Mrs Livingstone and an active Adult education committee that organises educational themed series.

The social Committee organises Shabbatons, and successful social events. We also have active fund raising committees who organise Dinner and social events.

Welfare and counselling

The Help Line run by Avromi and Rochelle Freilich continues to offer comfort and hospital and home visits to those in need.  Their response to such calls is much appreciated and all members are urged to notify the team if they know of anyone who may need help or require a visit. Rabbi Livingstone spends a considerable amount of time giving confidential advice and personal support to members on a range of problems from family difficulties to bereavement.