Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue

 Congregation Data

For Federation of Synagogues cemeteries (including search of burial records), see under Cemeteries of the Federation of Synagogues.

Notes & Sources (↵ returns to text above)

• (i) The congregation was listed as Leytonstone Synagogue in the Jewish Year Book 1933. By the 1934 edition, it had already adopted its present name. ↵

• (ii) According to the Congregation's website (accessed 31 January 2018), the Congregation moved into its current synagogue building at 2 Fillebrook Street on 23 May 1954. However, 14 Drayton Road was still listed as the address of the Congregation in Jewish Year Books until the 1987 edition. The explanation provided for this apparent inconsistency was supplied in correspondence with the Congregation. The Drayton Road address first appears in the Jewish Year Book 1935. For the two previous years the address was given as 15 Preston Road, E.11, but this was probably merely the address of the hon. secretary, as he continue to be listed under that address after the congregation's move to Drayton Road. ↵

• (iii) Although the Jewish Year Book 1945/6 (the first edition following the break in publication during the war years) gives the date of establishment as 1929, subsequent editions appear to correct this and give the date as 1932. (The first listing of the congregation was in the Jewish Year Book 1933.) There was a period in and about 2007 when the synagogue was not able to be used and was temporarily closed due to damage caused by flooding following theft of lead flashings on roof. Accordingly, the congregation was unlisted in the Jewish Year Books 2007 and 2008. ↵

• (iv) Until the Jewish Year Book 1948, all Federation synagogues were shown in a single list (which were, in 1945/6 and 1947, possibly erroneously referred to as constituent synagogues). Thereafter, the listing separates constituent synagogues from affiliated synagogues and the congregation has always appeared in the latter list. ↵

• (v) Based upon Rev. Gordon's listing in the Jewish Year Book 1940. The 1939 edition did not include listings of ministers or officers of Federation synagogues and he was not listed in the 1938 edition. The Jewish Year Book was not published during the remainder of the war years and Rev. Gordon is not listed in the first edition following World War II (1945/6 edition). ↵

• (vi) Jewish Chronicle report. ↵

• (vii) Date of commencement based upon Rev. Braier's first listing in the Jewish Year Book 1949. His last listing was in the Jewish Year Book 1975, his successor having been appointed in 1974. ↵

• (viii) As advised by Rev. (later Rabbi) Salasnick and confirmed in a Jewish Chronicle report of June 1979. ↵

• (ix) Reserved.

• (x) Appointment advised by the Congregation and congregation's website. Rabbi Brackman would made a nine mile walk from and returning to his home in Stamford Hill to conduct Shabbat services at the synagogue which initially struggled to get a minyan (Jewish News report of 28 September 2018). ↵

• (xi) Congregation's website last accessed December 2020 ↵

• (xii) to (xiv) Reserved.

• (xv) Based upon listing in Jewish Year Books 1933 through 1940. (The 1939 edition did not include listings of officers of Federation synagogues and the 1940 edition only lists the minister, president and hon. secretary.) Where a person is first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it has been assumed that his term of office commenced in the year of publication of the relevent year book and that he continued in office until the commencement of office of his successor, unless the office was vacant. (Year books were generally published towards the end of the year prior to year appearing the the title of the year book. For example, if an officer is listed in Jewish Year Books 1935 through 1938, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1934 and continued in office until 1938). However, it should be noted that this is only an assumption and, accordingly, his actual years of office may differ slightly from those shown here. Jewish Year Books were not published during WWII subsequent to 1940. ↵

• (xvi) See note (xv) above. There were no Jewish Year Book listings of officers (other than secretary) subsequent to 1956. ↵

• (xvii) Reserved.

• (xviii) Reports on synagogue membership in the United Kingdom, published by or on behalf of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and which can be viewed on the website of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research. Click HERE for links to the various reports. ↵

• (xix) Charities Commissioners website (in beta trial stage), accessed 5 August 2020.  ↵

• (xx) The London Borough of Waltham Forest, an Outer London Borough within the Greater London administrative area, was created on 1 April 1965 upon the merger of the Municipal Boroughs of Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford (which had each been incorporated as boroughs in 1926, 1929 and 1938, respectively). Until 1965, the areas had been part of the County of Essex. ↵

• (xxi) The former Registration Districts were Essex South Western, from 1 October 1935 until 1 April 1965 and, prior thereto, West Ham from the formation of Congregation. All registers would now be held by current register office. ↵