ByRobyn Rosen, Robyn Rosen
Golders Green Synagogue has been awarded a £100,000-plus English Heritage grant to repair its roof.
The money will go towards the synagogue's £3 million refurbishment plans for its Grade II-listed building in Dunstan Road.
It will be awarded in two stages, the first £17,000 being spent on putting the work out to tender. If English Heritage is satisfied with the progress, a further £94,000 will be handed over next year.
"The grant is a major boost to the regeneration of the Dunstan Road community and its historic home," said Jacqui Zinkin, vice-chair of the 500-member congregation. "The money is to be used towards replacing the roof of the main building which is currently in a very poor state.
"A grant of this size shows the importance both the community and English Heritage place on not only the building but the presence of a United Synagogue in Golders Green."
The original building was opened in 1922, extended in 1928 and survived the wartime Blitz. The last major decoration and repair work was in 1976.