Several hundred New North London Synagogue members attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the shul’s £4 million building project at the Sternberg Centre in Finchley.

Minister Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg told them that, as well as being home to the growing Masorti congregation — 1,600 adults and 900 children — the new building would “allow the synagogue to serve the wider community”. He illustrated New North London’s commitment to others by making a donation to an Israeli soup kitchen.

Covering the age spectrum, Sally Lyndon, who is in her early nineties, turned the first spadeful of earth before saplings were planted by children from the Gan Alon nursery.

It is 14 years since the scheme was first proposed and the complexity of the project has caused lengthy delays in obtaining planning consent. In addition to the synagogue, the flexible space will house classrooms for Gan Alon, a fully-equipped functions kitchen and synagogue offices. The £4 million estimate does not include furnishing and equipment. Completion is scheduled for late 2010.

The Sternberg Centre redevelopment also incorporates the new Akiva School, which opened in February.