Norwood Orphanage Synagogue

Views of the Aron Kodesh of the Orphanage's old synagogue.
Courtesy of Norwood Old Scholars Association.
 (Click on an image to view enlarge image in a new window.)

Name:

Norwood Orphanage Synagogue or West Norwood Synagogue

Address:

A synagogue existed in a large room at the main orphanage building at Knight's Hill, West Norwood, London SE27. It was located on an upper floor, over the main entrance hall and the arcaded porch, at the front of the building. Hebrew and religion classes were also held at the site.

Following the demolition of the main orphanage building in 1961, a replacement synagogue was provided for in the new building, known as Norwood Hall, which was built at Prioress Road, and opened in 1962. This served the needs of Jewish children and staff who continued to live on the site and at near by houses.

The new synagogue seated 325 people and cost nearly £50,000.^(iv)

A key feature of the synagogue building, a large yellow star of David, was visible from West Norwood train station.

Formation:

In 1866, the children were transferred from the Jews' Hospital to new premises at Norwood and in 1876, the children from the Orphan Asylum also moved to the premises in Norwood. The synagogue dates from the early days of the orphanage and also served Jewish residents who lived locally.

Closure:

The synagogue was deconsecrated in 1974 when Norwood sold the building. However, in the later 1970s the building was still home to the South London Jewish Youth Centre. Owned by Lambeth Council, in the 1990s the building was the meeting place of the South London Jewish Day Centre run by the Streatham branch of the League of Jewish Women.^(v)

In 2012, the building was demolished to make way for a new health and leisure centre.^(vi)

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

Religious instruction and worship at the Orphanage was under the aegis of the Chief Rabbi.

Synagogue Life:

The Jewish Chronicle of 3 March 1916, contained the following report, which gives an interesting glimpse of synagogue life at Norwood:

The Institution boasts of a fully equipped synagogue, and regular services are held with a juvenile congregation. Every boy has his Tefillah or Machzor, his Tallith, Tephillin and Chumash. The beadle of the Shool is an important official, and the chosen lad, who has to demonstrate his fitness as a Hebrew scholar and his reputation for piety, has a whole suite of satellites to assist him in keeping the place in order. The Scrolls of the Law are under his especial charge, and one of his duties is to hear the boys who are either Barmitzvah or divide the Sedra between them. Woe betide the unfortunate individual who has not prepared his section with due care and accuracy. The almighty Shammas has great power. In his own domain he is an autocrat, and it is not good for a boy to incur the displeasure of this unmerciful tyrant.

The decorum of public worship in the West Norwood Synagogue is most strictly observed. In fact, it is quite unique. Nowhere do children worship more sincerely or with greater reverence. At times, the interest is almost too strained, the silence too tense. The late Chief Rabbi and the present Chief Rabbi have preached there to our congregation, and many of the best known ministers of the country have occupied the Headmaster's pulpit from time to time. All have been "much touched" by the religious enthusiasm of the children - their unanimous hearty responses; their joyous singing - for the whole congregation is a practiced choir, and above all, by the touching recital of the collective Kaddish.

Principals / Headmasters: ^(viii) (To view a short profile  - hold the cursor over the name.)

In addition to their administrative, teaching and other duties, the principals and headmasters conducted services and gave sermons at the synagogue. Their wives generally served as matron.

Rev. John Chapman (wife and matron: Annie) - from 1869 until 1879

Rev. S.H. Harris - from 1879 until 1890

Abraham Raphael (wife and matron: Ada) - from 1890 until 1910

Myer Kaye (wife and matron: Esther) - from 1910 until 1936

Hyman Content, BSc (wife: Phyllis; matron: Miss Courbet) - from 1936 until 1945

Alfred Lubran (wife: Beatrice; matron from 1946: Miss L E Darling) - from 1945 until 1950

Dr. Edward Conway (wife: Lily) - from 1950 until 1958

Jack Wagman - from 1958 until 1961

Children on the Roll:^(ix)

Local Government District:

West Norwood, a largely residential suburb in south London (about 5 miles south of central London), is in the London Borough of Lambeth^(x) and was (until 1965) in the former Metropolitan Borough Of Lambeth in the former County of London.

Registration District:

Lambeth, since 1 July 1837 - Link to Register Office website

Views of the Orphanage's new synagogue.
Courtesy of Norwood Old Scholars Association.
(Click on an image to view enlarge image in a new window.)