Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a surprise visit to South Hampstead Synagogue this morning to congratulate the community on its 100th anniversary.

Sir Keir, who attended with his wife Victoria, paid tribute to Rabbi Shlomo Levin and his wife Rebbetzin Dr Lynndy Levin for their friendship and warmth over the years.

The rabbinic couple announced in May that they would be stepping down after 40 years of service to the synagogue and would be taking up emeritus roles. Their son Eli Levin and wife Lauren will be taking over as the senior rabbinic couple.

Speaking for a few minutes to a packed room of some 500 people, the prime minister referred to the graffiti incident in December 2019, when “911” was painted on the wall surrounding the synagogue, and that he was pleased to be returning to the shul for a much happier occasion.

Sir Keir has built up a strong relationship with South Hampstead Synagogue during his time as the MP for the local constituency of Holborn and St Pancras and has previously attended Mitzvah Day events at the shul.

In his address, Sir Keir thanked Rabbi Shlomo and Rebbetzin Dr Lynndy Levin for their friendship over the years (Photo: Bobby Bray)

He and his wife Victoria stayed afterwards for a sumptuous kiddush, where they spent much of the time chatting to the children of the congregation. One congregant said: “One of the girls went up to Victoria and told her she was at Channing, which is where the Prime Minister’s wife had gone to school. Victoria looked so pleased to hear this and was really happy to talk to her about it.”

Politics was strictly off limits as the congregants had been given a tongue-in-cheek warning by Rabbi Levin “just to talk about the weather” to the Prime Minister and his wife.

Paying tribute to Rabbi and Rebbetzin South Hampstead Synagogue life president David Turner told the congregation that on their arrival 40 years ago, the Levins and their children “started to build the community, with a welcoming, non-judgemental approach, a light touch and, most importantly, with loads and loads of food at every opportunity.

"Shlomo and Lynndy opened themselves and their family to us and have modelled a sense of a ‘communal family’ that is far bigger than just membership of a shul for burial rights….You, Lynndy and all the family have included us in your communal family and our lives have been enriched more than perhaps you will ever know.”

He credited the couple for modelling “a new inclusive brand of Yidishkiet and communal leadership which was unique in Anglo Jewry and is now modelled throughout the United Synagogue,” as one of the first Chabad rabbinic couples to lead a US shul.

Synagogue chair Danny Kay told the JC afterwards: “This Shabbat, it was wonderful to celebrate our community’s 100th year and Rabbi Shlomo and Rebbetzin Lynndy’s 40 years of inspiring leadership.

“Having the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer with us made this milestone even more special, honouring the strong ties built over the years. We are deeply grateful for Sir Keir’s ongoing support and thrilled to have celebrated this moment together.”