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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. |