Dollis Hill Synagogue

Name:

Dollis Hill Synagogue

Former Name:

Dollis Hill and Gladstone Park Synagogue

Address:

Parkside, Dollis Hill Lane, London NW2 6RT.

Initially, in 1933, a small purpose-built synagogue was constructed on the site (designed  by architect, Cecil Jacob Eprile, FRIBA), which the congregation very quickly outgrew. Accordingly, in February 1937, work commenced on the construction of a new larger synagogue adjacent to the existing building. The earlier synagogue became the congregation's community centre.

The new purpose-built synagogue, designed by the distinquished engineer and architect, Sir Evan Owen Williams, was consecrated by Chief Rabbi Hertz on 13 February 1938.

The 1938 synagogue, together with the forecourt railings, was designated a Grade II Listed Building (number 1252679) on 9 March 1982. View description on Historic England website.

In 1995, the synagogue, including the adjacent community center, was sold to the Avigdor Hirsch Torah Primary School, although it was not occupied by the school until 1998. The former community center became the school hall, which the much reduced congregation again used as a synagogue, for Shabbat services, until 2011, about when it was demolished to make way for a playground.

Prior to 1933, the congregation held services at the Neasden Mission Hall.

Current Status:

Closed in 2011

Date Formed:

1929 (first meeting in private homes)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

An affiliated synagogue of the United Synagogue  from 1932, becoming a district synagogue in 1937 and a constituent synagogue in 1949.

Selected Ministers:

Rabbi Isaac Swift - 1938 to 1951⁽ⁱ⁾

Rabbi Harry Rabinowicz - 1951 to about 1975⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

Rabbi Maurice Landy (part time) -1977 to 1987⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Selected Reader (Chazan):

Revd. Harold Taylor - 1951 to 1995^(iv)

Membership Data:

Number of male seat-holders

1950 -  617 male seat-holders^(v)
1960 -  650  male seat-holders^(v) 
1970 -  492  male seat-holders^(v) 
1984 -  255  male members^(vi)
1989 -  176  male members^(vi) 
1997 -  106  male members^(vi)

Local Government Districts:

Dollis Hill is a residential suburb in the London Borough of Brent ^(vii)and was previously (until 1965) in the former Municipal Borough of Willesden, and prior thereto (from 1894 until 1933) in the former Urban District of Willesden.

Registration District (BDM):

Brent^(viii) - Register Office website

Cemetery
Information:

For United Synagogue cemeteries, see Cemeteries of the United Synagogue.