United Synagogue

The United Synagogue is the largest synagogue movement in Europe. Founded in 1870 today it is comprised of 62 local communities/synagogues supported by a central office. Chief Rabbi Mirvis is the spiritual head of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth.About United Synagogue, United Synagogue. Retrieved 10 December 2021. Its members fall into a category described by the Board of Deputies as Central Orthodox, which also includes the Federation of Synagogues and many similar congregations throughout the United Kingdom. Membership of Central Orthodox congregations in 2016 numbered 41,990, constituted some 52.8% of synagogue membership in the United Kingdom. However, such numbers had decreased by 24,211 members (a decline of 37%) over the preceding six years. Approximatel 37.4% of British synagogues adhere to Central Orthodoxy.United Synagogue, Jewish Communities & records. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
It is a registered charity (no. 242552) and its head office is located at 305 Ballards Lane, North Finchley, London N12 8GB.
==Background and History==
The formation of the United Synagogue was a result of a special Act of Parliament dated 14 July 1870 (the United Synagogues Act 1870) which granted formal recognition to the union of the three City of London Ashkanazi synagogues (the Great Synagogue, the Hambro' Synagogue and the New Synagogue) as well as their two West End branch synagogues (the Central Synagogue and the Bayswater Synagogue). The union was forged by Chief Rabbi Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler.
As an organisation, the United Synagogue is not officially tied to the Zionist movement but many of its leaders, most notably Robert Waley Cohen, have "...contributed in practical ways towards the upbuilding of the state of Israel, and that appeals for causes associated with the Zionist cause had never been far away from the synagogue".Aubrey Newman, New Problems - The United Synagogue in an 'Age of Affluence' in The United Synagogue 1970 - 1970. Routledge, 1976.
In 1913 Joseph Hertz was elected Chief Rabbi of the group of synagogues known as the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire, led by the United Synagogue. Hertz was strongly Zionist and "...lost little opportunity to preach his ideas. Some organisations in Anglo-Jewry followed him in welcoming Zionism, but the United Synagogue for one did not."Aubrey Newman, London Jewry 1912-1945 in The United Synagogue 1970 - 1970, p.109. Routledge, 1976.
Religious and organizational conflicts with the more right-wing Federation of Synagogues (1887) were a regular occurance since the beginning of the 20th century. Tensions had been mounting between the two umbrella organisations, particularly with regards to community control. Both vied for control of London's orthodox East End and bitter conflict ensued.Vivi Lachs, Whitechapel Noise: Jewish Immigrant Life in Yiddish Song and Verse, London 1884-1914, Wayne State University Press, May 2018. A news bulletin from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on 22 June 1966 stated "On an important domestic issue, the Board’s (referring to the Board of Deputies of British Jews) president, Solomon Teff, urged the organization’s executive committee to offer its services to help solve the dispute between the United Synagogue and the Federation of Synagogues. The conflict between the two religious bodies, he said, is “making increasing inroads into the unity of British Jewry.”Protection for Aden Jews Sought; Britain to Leave the Protectorate, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 22 June 1966.
With the election of Isaac Wolfson as president in 1962 the United Syangogue lurched further to the right and the organisation faced repeated challenges from both the theological right and left. The rise of the Masorti movement provided a further challenge to the United Synagogue and as such, its membership has declined in recent years. In 2016 members numbered 41,990, constituting some 52.8% of synagogue membership in the United Kingdom. However this decreased by 24,211 members (a decline of 37%) over the preceding six years."Jewish News", Issue No. 1010, 6 July 2017, pp. 1 & 4, quoting report by Board of Deputies Policy Reseach, carried out between April and September 2016.
Historically, the United Synagogue has been comprised of congregations based in or around London and the home counties. However, in recent years, communities from further afield have joined the network, beginning with the Sheffield congregation in 2015.
==People==
===Directors===
Steven Wilson | David Collins | Rabbi Jeremy Conway | David Frei | Jo Grose | Vickie Lampkin | Richard Taylor | Richard Verber | Lali VirdeeDirectors, United Synagogue. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
===Trustees===
Michael Goldstein | Andrew Eder | Claire Lemer | Fleurise Lewis | Maxwell Nisner | Nicola Rosenfelder | Barry Shaw | Saul Taylor | Jacqui ZinkinTrustees, United Synagogue. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
==Relationship with Israel & the Zionist Movement==
The United Synagogue has strong ties to Israel. It describes itself as 'a Zionist organisation' and runs many programmes including: 
*Helping with Shul trips to Israel
*Helping US members plan weddings and other simchas in Israel
*Offering services/events for US members now living in Israel
*Rabbinic recruitment
*Support for Tribe Israel’s trips, tours, programmes, Leadership trainingUS in Israel, The United Synagogue. Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 7 December 2023. By June 2024 this page had been removed from the US website.
To help facilitate these services the United Synagogue has a dedicated Israel Desk, similar to what the Alliance for Progressive Judaism (a partnership between Liberal Judaism and The Movement for Reform Judaism) established.
Several United Synagogue communities are affiliate members of the Zionist Federation of Great Britian and Ireland. They include Cockfosters and N Southgate Synagogue, Hendon United Synagogue, Kenton United Synagogue, Kinloss (also known as Finchley United Synagogue), Woodside Park Synagogue and South Hampstead Synagogue.Affiliate Members, Zionist Federation of Great Britian and Ireland. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
United Synagogue purchased a section of Eretz Hachaim Cemetery just outside Jerusalem for use of members who wish to be buried in Israel.Burial in Israel, United Synagogue. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
==Programmes==
===Tribe===
Tribe is a youth group run by United Synagogue. It runs a variety of programmes and activities centrally and across all United Synagogue shuls and schools.
Tribe Israel hosts activities for all British students on a gap year in Israel, throughout their year there. They hold a welcome event, as well as an annual shabbaton. They also help to develop essential skills like public speaking and work with students on Israel Advocacy through the Tribe Learn 2 Lead programme.
Tribe Campus Recruiters help with advice and events, which are often organised together with key partner, University Jewish Chaplaincy and JSOCs (Jewish Societies).What is Tribe?, Tribe UK. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
==Members and Communities==
Ahavat Yisrael | Alei Tzion | Barnet | Belmont | Birmingham Central Synagogue | Borehamwood & Elstree | Brondesbury Park | Bushey & District | Catford & Bromley (Affiliate) | Central | Chelsea (Affiliate) | Chigwell & Hainault | Cockfosters & N Southgate | Cranbrook | Ealing | Edgware | Enfield & Winchmore Hill | Finchley | Finsbury Park | Golders Green | Hackney & East London | Hadley Wood | Hampstead | Hampstead Garden Suburb | Hemel Hempstead (Affiliate) | Hendon | Highams Park & Chingford | Highgate | Kenton | Kingsbury | Kingston, Surbiton & District | Luton | Magen Avot (Hendon) | Mill Hill | Mill Hill East | Muswell Hill | New West End | Northwood | Palmers Green & Southgate | Peterborough (Affiliate) | | Pinner | Potters Bar | Radlett | Richmond | Romford & District (Affiliate) | Ruislip | Sheffield | Shenley | South Hampstead | South London | South Tottenham | Southport | St Albans | St John's Wood | Staines (Affiliate) | Stanmore & Canons Park | Sutton & District | Watford | Welwyn Garden City | Wembley | Western Marble Arch (Associate) | Woodford Forest | Woodside ParkCommunities, United Synagogue. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
==Affiliations==
===Youth groups===
*Tribe - a youth group
===Companies===
305 Ballards Lane, London, N12 8GB is the address of a number of companies and charities especially those associated with United Synagogue one of the seven main Synagogue movements in the UK representing largely Synagogue's catering for Ashkenazi 'Central Orthodox' Jews.JCR-UK United Synagogue
===Charities===
*United Synagogue Charity number: 242552
*KLBD Kosher Certification Registered Charity No 242552 (ie part of United Synagogue)
*Scopus Jewish Educational Trust (Charity number: 313154) linked to the Zionist Federation.
===Companies===
*United Synagogue Design & Build Ltd 06797965 - Incorporated on 21 January 2009
*United Synagogue Trusts limited 00516140 - Incorporated on 14 February 1953
*United Synagogue Kashrut Board (The) 02089374 - Dissolved on 14 May 2013
*University Jewish Chaplaincy 06543595 - Incorporated on 25 March 2008
*London Board Trustee Limited 04117554 - Incorporated on 27 November 2000
*United Synagogue Youth Charity (The) 02033941 - Incorporated on 3 July 1986
*US Advertising Limited 02146769 - Incorporated on 13 July 1987
*United Central Catering Previous names: UNITED SYNAGOGUE (CENTRAL CATERING) 11279144 - Incorporated on 27 March 2018
====Dissolved====
*United Synagogue Publications Limited 01896677 - Dissolved on 8 May 2012
*United Synagogue Educational Charity (The) 02033940 - Dissolved on 17 January 2012
===Schools=== 
====Primary Schools==== 
Primary schools which have the United Synagogue as its foundation body and are under the religious authority of the Office of the Chief Rabbi: 
*Sinai Jewish Primary School Location: Kenton Phone: 020 8204 1550 Email: admin@sinai.brent.sch.uk Website: https://www.sinaischool.com 
*Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary School Location: Ilford Phone: 020 8498 1350 Email: admin@ijpsonline.co.uk Website: https://www.ijpsonline.co.uk 
Primary schools with the Scopus Jewish Education Trust as their foundation body which are now part of the United Synagogue: 
*Mathilda-Marks-Kennedy School Location: Mill Hill Phone: 020 8959 6089 Email: office@mmks.barnetmail.sch.uk Website: https://www.mathildamarks.com 
*Rosh Pinah Jewish Primary School Location: Edgware Phone: 020 8958 8599 Email: office@rpps.org.uk Website: https://www.rpps.org.uk 
*Simon Marks Jewish Primary School Location: Stoke Newington Phone: 020 8806 6048 Email: info@simonmarks.hackney.sch.uk Website: https://www.simonmarks.hackney.sch.uk 
Jewish Community Academy Trust Schools which are supported by the United Synagogue: 
*Hertsmere Jewish Primary School Location: Radlett Phone: 01923 855857 Email: admin@hjps.herts.sch.uk Website: https://www.hjps.herts.sch.uk 
*Sacks Morasha Jewish Primary School Location: Finchely Phone: 020 8369 5964 Email: office@morashajps.org.uk Website: https://www.morashajps.org.uk 
*Moriah Jewish Day School Location: Pinner Phone: 020 8868 2001 Email: office@moriah.harrow.sch.uk Website: https://www.moriahschool.co.uk 
*Wolfson Hillel Primary School Location: Southgate Phone: 020 8882 6487 Email: schooloffice@wolfsonhillel.enfield.sch.uk Website: https://www.wolfsonhillel.enfield.sch.uk 
*Rimon Jewish Primary School Location: Golders Green Phone: 020 8209 1805 Email: office@rimonschool.org.uk Website: https://www.rimonschool.org.uk 
Primary Schools under the religious authority of the Office of the Chief Rabbi: 
*Brodetsky Jewish Primary School Location: Leeds Phone: 0113 293 0578 Email: info@brodetsky.leeds.sch.uk Website: https://www.brodetsky.leeds.sch.uk 
*Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School Location: Mill Hill Phone: 020 8906 2983 Email: admin@etzchaim-primaryschool.org.uk Website: https://www.etzchaim-primaryschool.org.uk 
*Immanuel College Preparatory School Location: Bushey Phone: 020 8950 0604 Email: enquiries@immanuel.herts.sch.uk Website: https://www.immanuelcollege.co.uk 
*Kerem School Location: Hampstead Garden Suburb United Synagogue Phone: 020 8455 0909 Email: admin@keremschool.co.uk Website: https://www.keremschool.co.uk 
*King David Primary School, Manchester Location: Manchester Phone: 0161 741 5090 Email: office@kingdavidprimary.manchester.sch.uk Website:https://www.kingdavidprimary.manchester.sch.uk 
*King David Primary School, Liverpool Location: Liverpool Phone: 0151 235 1420 Email: office@kingdavid-pri.liverpool.sch.uk Website: https://www.kdpsliverpool.co.uk 
*North Cheshire Jewish Primary School Location: Cheadle Phone: 0161 282 4500 Email: headteacher@northcheshire.stockport.sch.uk Website: https://www.ncjps.org.uk 
*North West London Jewish Day School Location: Willesden Phone: 020 8459 3378 Email: admin@nwljds.org.uk Website: https://www.nwljds.org.uk
====Secondary Schools==== 
Secondary schools which have the United Synagogue as its foundation body and are under the religious authority of the Office of the Chief Rabbi: 
*JFS Location: Kenton Phone: 020 8206 3100 Email: admin@jfs.brent.sch.uk Website: https://www.jfs.brent.sch.uk 
*King Solomon High School Location: Ilford Phone: 020 8498 1300 Email: info@kshonline.com Website: https://www.kshsonline.com Secondary Schools under the religious authority of the Office of the Chief Rabbi: 
*Immanuel College Location: Bushey Phone: 020 8950 0604 Email: enquiries@immanuel.herts.sch.uk Website: https://www.immanuelcollege.co.uk 
*King David High School, Liverpool Location: Liverpool Phone: 0151 722 7496 Email: kingdavid-ao@kingdavidhigh.liverpool.sch.uk Website: https://www.kingdavidliverpool.co.uk 
*King David High School, Manchester Location: Manchester Phone: 0161 740 7248 Email: admin@kingdavidhigh.manchester.sch.uk Website: https://www.kdhs.org.uk 
*Yavneh College Location: Borehamwood Phone: 020 8736 5580 Email: admin@yavnehcollegue.herts.sch.uk Website: https://www.yavnehcollege.org
==Resources==
*https://jewdas.org/united-synagogue-cold-calls-against-labour/ Archive version
*https://web.archive.org/web/20241005070604/https://theus.org.uk/assets/uploads/2024/09/US-ISRAEL-BOOK-DESIGN-FINAL.pdf
*https://www.thejc.com/news/zionist-group-sparks-row-tkp6vhja
==Contact==
:Email: info@theus.org.uk
:Address: 305 Ballards Lane, London, N12 8GB
:www.theus.org.uk
==Notes==
Category: Synagogue movements UK