Muswell Hill Synagogue members have been urged to ensure their children’s good behaviour during festival services after damage was caused to its nursery building over Rosh Hashanah.

In a message to congregants, Rabbi David Mason and the honorary officers wrote “that the wonderful atmosphere on both days of Rosh Hashanah and the hard work that was put into making them run smoothly was blighted by the fact that damage was once again caused to the nursery property.

“Worryingly, children were also seen throwing tyres and bricks down from the fire escape stairs and fighting each other with broomsticks.

“It shouldn’t need to be said that this is totally unacceptable and dangerous behaviour.”

Repairing the damage would cause “considerable expense” to the community. CCTV footage was being examined to identify those involved.

Parents were asked to talk to their children, “making it clear that there will be zero tolerance of any such behaviour” in future.

Adults were also requested to “be alert if you see children playing with any of the equipment in a dangerous or damaging way. I’m sure we would all understand if another adult asked one of our children to stop if we saw them behaving in this way.”

Rabbi Mason told the JC: “We are thrilled that Muswell Hill Synagogue is growing, thriving and a very welcoming place for children. From time to time these things happen and our chair, Karen Ackerman, felt we needed to put steps [in place] to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the future.”