Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue is situated in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow, England, and had the largest community of any single Orthodox synagogue in Europe as of 2012.^[1] It is a constituent of the United Synagogue (mainstream Orthodox).^[2]

History

The congregation became affiliated with United Synagogue in 1946, becoming a district synagogue in 1952 and subsequently a constituent (member) synagogue.^[3]

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has previously been called "Stanmore and Canons Park District Synagogue" and "Canons Park & District Hebrew Congregation".^[3]

• The current building (Main Shul) was consecrated on 18 March 1951 (Jewish Date: 10th Adar 5711) by Dayan Dr I. Grunfeld and Isaac Wolfson Esq. The Synagogue was actually built facing north rather than east (towards Jerusalem).
• The community centre was consecrated on 8 September 1963. The Freeman Susman Hall (above the community centre) is actually bigger than the main synagogue itself.
• The corridor between the main synagogue and the community centre was widened in an extension in 2002. As part of the extension a garden was established at the front of the building.
• The synagogue added a lift in 2008 so that disabled members could access all parts of the building.
• In 2014 the main shul was refurbished as well as half of the classrooms.

Rabbis

Mendel Lew became senior rabbi in 2006.^[4]

Avrom Chaitowitz (1921–1986) was minister from 1954 to 1986.^[5]

Chaitowitz was followed by Dr Jeffrey Cohen, who was the synagogue's rabbi for twenty years. Cohen is an author of theological works as well as over two hundred articles in popular journals and newspapers. He has published more than 25 books in the past 30 years,^[6] the most recent being The Psalms: Poetry in Poetry (2018) and Genesis in Poetry (2019), both published by Wipf & Stock, Oregon, USA.

Youth activities

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue is well known for its youth activities. Stanmore provides a huge variety of programmes for the youth of the community. This includes trips, plays, youth clubs, Jewish Learning and external groups. Stanmore is also well known for its "Learn To Lead" programme, which is now also used in Bushey, Radlett, Edgware and many other communities following its enormous success in Stanmore.

Youth clubs and Jewish Learning

A range of clubs during the week that take place in the community centre or the "Youth Lounge". As for Jewish learning, the synagogue runs a Beit Midrash programme where sixth formers can pair up with older Chavrutahs to learn texts or discuss issues.^[7]

Learn to Lead

Learn to Lead is an extensive programme where young people are given the opportunity to run the activities for the younger children. This starts with weekly sessions then the Learn to Lead Israel Trip (February Half term year 9), the Prague Trip (February Half Term year 10), the Leadership Weekend and finally the Tribe Poland Trip.^[8] The programme is linked closely with Tribe and many of the leaders Stanmore produces go on to lead in other communities.^[9]

Tribe

Stanmore's various trips are usually connected with Tribe (Tribe Poland Trip). Year 9–13 participates in the Tribe Football Frenzy.^[10]

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