Ambitious project reflects view that modern shul-goers don’t want space for a huge service, but somewhere flexible to 'accommodate different demands'
April 25, 2019 14:24
BySimon Rocker, simon rocker
Pesach marked a homecoming for members of South Hampstead Synagogue, who were able to move into their new building a few days before the festival.
After more than two years in temporary accommodation, they can now enjoy the light, airy premises that have risen on the site of the old synagogue that served them for more than 50 years.
A model of elegant simplicity in wood, glass and stone, architects Allies and Morrison’s design provides more than double the previous space.
“What is amazing is it has the same footprint,” said South Hampstead’s rabbi, Shlomo Levin.
“We were incredibly fortunate to be able to knock down a building and start again. For most of us, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. We wanted to redesign the concept of a synagogue.”
When the interior work is complete, the foyer will become a café. “We want it to be populated throughout the day,” Rabbi Levin said.
“It’s all wi-fi connected. Maybe young people will want to do their work here instead of going to Starbucks.”
The new look signals the transition from being “a place where you come to daven to a place that reflects everything to do with community”, said shul chair David Turner.
At £14 million, the building is the most expensive project to date within the United Synagogue, although the cost will be more once fixtures and fittings are taken into account. “What made it work was that one of our members was able to match-fund 50 per cent,” Rabbi Levin explained.
The money had been raised from within the community without resort to external grants, Mr Turner added.
“Members have been incredibly generous. And many have unstintingly contributed their professionalism, expertise and time, as well as money, to realise this vision. This has been a truly community-wide effort.”
Walking up one of the wide staircases with wooden balustrades, light floods in from a giant window that looks out over the church across the road. “From the steibl you can see the steeple,” Mr Turner quipped.
Rabbi Levin said the finished article had prompted one neighbour to concede: “I was against the plan but I must say it’s a beautiful building.”
The horseshoe-shaped sanctuary is situated on the first floor, with women now sitting on the same level as men, rather than in a gallery. It seats 340 with room for an extra 100. “We didn’t want to lose the intimacy of our old shul,” Rabbi Levin explained.
Since the arrival of Rabbi and Lynndy Levin three-and-a-half decades ago, membership has risen from 200 to 1,800.
But, as Mr Turner pointed out, modern shul-goers don’t want space for a huge service, but rather somewhere flexible to “accommodate different demands”.
Although a temporary ark currently houses the Torah scrolls, Israeli designer Ron Arad has been commissioned to create a new aron kodesh, which “will probably be ready before Rosh Hashanah,” Rabbi Levin said, and “it will be something special.
“A couple of young Israeli artists have reconceived the idea of stained glass windows and these will be going in.”
The hemispherical design was chosen to “give a real sense of engagement and involvement with the service”, Rabbi Levin said. “We’ve also worked hard on the acoustics. When people sing, it should fill the space and make it feel inspiring.”
And if anyone requires a little extra inspiration, they can always pop into the library directly at the back of the synagogue and dip into one of the books donated by a member who recently made aliyah.
Above the synagogue is the children and youth floor, equipped with room dividers doubling up as whiteboards, and a terrace with a fine view that can accommodate a succah.
For many years, South Hampstead’s cheder had to meet elsewhere because the synagogue was too small. Now Sunday morning classes can take place within its walls.
As well as having to conform to building regulations on disabled access and sustainability, the synagogue had to meet the requirements of Jewish law.
Automatic lights and water taps that trigger pumps were just some of the halachic challenges for Shabbat. “We looked at every single detail to make this a super-duper Shabbat compliant building,” Rabbi Levin said.
For United Synagogue president Michael Goldstein, South Hampstead has been “one of the most exciting building projects we have ever been involved in”.
It now stands ready to fulfil Rabbi Levin’s hope for it to be “a place where all Jews will feel welcome and included” — and not a place only for Jews.
“The synagogue also intends to reach out to the wider Camden community,” he said, “particularly through interfaith initiatives and social action projects.
“We are mindful of the importance of building community cohesion across the borough and we are determined to play a full part.”
