Northwood Synagogue is taking a long, hard look at its future — and trying to ensure it is a rosy one.

A committee headed by board member David Davis has been examining a number of the issues which will impact on its long-term prospects.

Its initial findings were outlined to last Thursday’s AGM, where the 100 members present heard committee member Stuart Soloway speak optimistically about expansion.

“We anticipate that the Jewish community in the Northwood area will grow quite considerably over the next few years as more and more young Jewish couples come to appreciate the good value and excellent transportation links to be had in this leafy area, compared with other more established and expensive Jewish areas.”

Mr Soloway added that another potentially helpful sign was that many flats under construction locally were attracting “empty-nesters” downsizing their homes.

Also explained to the AGM was a regional strategy initiative, which would see the development of links with neighbouring United Synagogue congregations — including Pinner, Ruislip and Watford — to establish local “Orthodox centres of excellence”.

“Though these are still early days, everything is going in the right direction,” said outgoing chairman David Freedman, who hands over to Alan Taylor.

“We have some new faces on the board, our finances are sound and we are making progress in our search to find a new minister.

“The contract of Rabbi Alan Plancey — who has been acting as our full-time minister since the departure of Rabbi Naftali Brawer last summer — runs out at the end of the year, and we hope to have his successor in place by then.”