JCR-UK

Ealing Synagogue

Ealing, London W5

 

 

 

  
 

 
 JCR-UK is a genealogical and historical website covering all Jewish communities
and congregations throughout the British Isles and Gibraltar, both past and present.
NOTE: We are not the official website of this congregation,
which can be reached by clicking on the logo below.

Ealing Synagogue, Grange Road pre-2011
 Ealing Synagogue, Grange Road (pre-2011)
(courtesy Jeff Rosen)


Congregation Data

Name:

Ealing Synagogue (also known as Ealing United Synagogue)

Earlier Names:

Ealing Hebrew Congregation (until about 1920)(iii)

Ealing and Acton Hebrew Congregation (about 1920 until 1921)(iv)

Ealing and Acton Synagogue (1921 until about 1924)(v)

Ealing and Acton Associate Synagogue (about 1924 until 1932)(vi)

Ealing and Acton District Synagogue (from 1932 until 1976)(vii)

Ealing and Acton Synagogue (from 1976 until about 1977)(viii)

Address:

15 Grange Road, Ealing, London W5 5QN.

The address of these premises was 2 Grange Road  until about 1937, when they were renumbered 15 Grange Road, as a result of a general renumbering of the properties in Grange Road.(xi)

The congregation moved into these premises, a renovated large Victorian house, in 1923, the ark (designed by Delissa Joseph)(xii) and fittings being acquired from Hampstead Synagogue. The synagogue was consecrated by Chief Rabbi Dr. Joseph Herman Hertz on 6 April 1924. Rev. J. Harris, the congregation's outgoing minister, participated in the service, and the newly appointed minister, Rev. A. Rose was also in attendance.(xiii)

Following renovation of the Grange Road premises, including an extension of the synagogue premises, the newly renovated synagogue was consecrated by Chief Rabbi Dr. J.H. Hertz on 17 May 1931.(xiv)

In 1938, a communal hall, designed by W.S. Bloom,(xv) was erected next to the synagogue, the foundation stone being laid by Mendel Kanal on 11 September 1938 and the building was consecrated by Chief Rabbi Dr. J.H. Hertz.(xviii)

Due to declining numbers, in June 2011, the congregation moved from the synagogue building to the newly renovated communal hall/synagogue, which incorporates many elements of the original building such as the ark doors, chandelier and stained-glass windows. The new synagogue was consecrated by the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks on 16 October 2011.(xix)

Previous Addresses:

75 Uxbridge Road, Ealing

These premises, a large house, were acquired in 1921(xx) and used as the congregation's synagogue until 1923.(xxi) The original building no longer exists, as area underwent significant redevelopment in the mid-20th century, and the site now sits within a commercial and residential stretch of Ealing’s main thoroughfare.

Previous to the move to Uxbridge Road, the congregation met at the Y.M.C.A. in Bond Street, Ealing (1920-1921)(xxii) and, prior thereto, services were held in private homes, in particular, 3 Florence Crescent (about 1920) and 1 Florence Crescent (about 1919-1920).(xxv)

Current Status:

Active

Formation:

According to the histories on the congregation's website, the congregation was formally founded in 1919, when David Assersohn and Mendel Kanal happened to meet on Ealing Common and decided to set up a synagogue in Ealing, and the Ealing and Acton Hebrew Congregation was accordingly established in September 1919.(xxvi)

However, there was, in fact, a precursor congregation, which had been meeting for some years in Ealing.(xxvii) The announcement in The Jewish Chronicle of 8 August 1919, gave notice of a meeting to be held on Thursday 14 August 1919 "for the purpose of re-organising the present congregation,"  For details of the precursor congregation, see below.

Precursor Congregation:

The earlier Ealing Hebrew Congregation (also known as the Ealing and Acton Hebrew Congregation),(xxx) an unaffiliated congregation,(xxxi) was founded by 1910,(xxxii) and was superseded by the current congregation. It met at 20 High Street, Ealing, from about 1910 until about 1913(xxxiii) and then at Joseph Lancaster School (located on St. Mary's Road), Ealing, until about 1918.(xxxiv) Thereafter in 1919, it may met at 3 Florence Crescent.(xxxv) It is probable that this congregation may have become dormant or significantly reduced in activity toward the end of World War I.

Rev. Gustav Prince - the congregation's minister and secretary from about 1913 until about 1917.(xxxvi)

Officers of the congregation:(xxxvii)

President: Maurice Cowen (c.1910-c.1912)

Hon. Secretaries: David Pinto (c.1910-c.1912); Barnett H. Goldburgh (c.1912-c.1913)

This congregation, to some extent, the successor to a short-lived congregation known as the Kew & Brentford, Ealing & Acton Congregation, that was in existence until about 1910 and held some of its services in Ealing.

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

Joined the United Synagogue as an affiliated synagogue in 1921, becoming a district synagogue in 1932.(xlii) In about 1976, it became a constituent synagogue, when the district synagogue category was discontinued.(xliui)

Synagogue Magazine:

The first issue of the synagogue magazine, The Pointer, was published in September 1953.

In 1968, it changed its name to The New Ealing Review.

Website:

https://ealingsynagogue.org.uk

Ministers:
(To view a short profile of a minister or reader - hold the cursor over his name.)

Rev. John S. Harris - minister from 1920 until 1924.(xlvii)

Rev. Abraham Rose - minister from 1924 until 1962.(xlviii)

Rabbi Sidney Silberg, MA - minister from 1962 until 1967.(xlix)

Rev. Dr. Norman Gale - minister from 1968 until 1988.(l)

Rabbi Dr. Julian Jacobs - minister from 1989 until 1998.(liii)

Rabbi Hershi Vogel & Rebbetzen Zelda Vogel - rabbinic couple from 1999 until present (February 2026).(liv)

Chazanim (Cantors) / Readers:

Rev. J. Zaludsky - reader from about 1919 until about 1920(lvii)

Chazan Alec Belkin - chazan in early 1940s(lviii)

Rev. Louis Goldberg - reader and secretary from 1948 until 1975(lix)

Lay Officers:

Unless otherwise stated, all data below on lay officers has been extracted from listings in Jewish Year Books,(lxiii) although an officer's first name have generally come from other sources.

Wardens

1932-1935 - Mendel (Max) Kanal & S. Rosenbloom

1936-1940 - Mendall (Max) Kanal

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1946 - Mendell (Max) Kanal & A.J. Morris

1946-1949 - A.J. Morris & S. Rosenbloom

1949-1952 - J. Shindler & Fred M. Frankal

1952-1954 - S. Rosenbloom & Fred M. Frankal

1954 - Fred M. Frankal & S. Rosenbloom(lxiv)

1954-1956 - Fred M. Frankal & Louis Mankin

from 1956 - no data

 

Treasurers

1921-1926 - M. Tack

1926-1929 - S. Davies

1929-1930 - J. Isaacs

1930-1931 - J. Etkind

1931-1933 - J. Isaacs

1933-1934 - Michael Levy

Financial Representatives

1934-1940 - Michael Levy

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1956 - Michael Levy(lxv)

from 1956 - no data

President

1921-1933 - David Assersohn

 

Vice President

1921-1932 - Mendell (Max) Kanal

 

Hon. President

1946-1950 - Mendell (Max) Kanal

 

Hon Secretaries

1920-1921 - Albert White

1921-1924 - no data

1924-1927 - Godfrey Braham

1927-1933 - Reginald Salter

1933-1940 - Reginald Salter & Nathan Isaacs

1940-1945 - no data

1945-1947 - Nathan Isaacs & Jack Shestopal

1947-1956 - Nathan Isaacs

Membership Data:

United Synagogue (male seat-holders)(lxviii)

1921

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

68

n.a.

129

284

342

311
Other Sources (male members)(lxix)

1946

1957

1969

1999

260

318

315 male

138 male
National Reports & Surveys(lxx)

1977 - 287 male (or household) members and 166 female members

1983 - 245 male (or household) members and 177 female members

1990 - 274 members (comprising 266 households, 3 individual male and 5 individual female members)

1996 - 234 members (comprising 200 households, 16 individual male and 18 individual female members)

2010 & 2016 - listed as having 100 to 199 members (by household)

Charitable Status:

As a constituent of the United Synagogue, the congregation operates within that organisation's registered charity status (registered charity no. 242552).

Local Government Districts:

The residential suburbs of Ealing and Acton in west London are in the London Borough of Enfield (created on 1 April 1965), within the administrative area of Greater London.(lxxi)

Previously, Ealing was in the somewhat smaller former Municipal Borough of Ealing (incorporated as a borough in 1901 and significantly enlarged in 1926) and Acton was in the former Municipal Borough of Acton (incorporated as a borough in 1921, having been an urban district since 1894), both in the former County of Middlesex, which entities were abolished in 1965.

Registration District (BMD):

Ealing from 1 October 1947(lxxii) Link to Register Office website

Worship Registration:

The synagogue at 15 Grange Road was registered as a Place of Worship - Worship Register Number 49012 - under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855.(lxxiii)

Cemetery
Information:

For United Synagogue cemeteries, see Cemeteries of the United Synagogue.

 

Ealing Synagogue, interior, pre-2011
 Ealing Synagogue (interior) showing Ark (pre-2011)
(courtesy Jeff Rosen)

Online Articles and Other Material
relating to this Congregation

|
 on Third Party Websites

 
Notable Local Jewish Residents
or Former Members of this Congregation

  • Mayor of the London Borough of Ealing (although there is no record of a Jewish mayor of any of the municipal boroughs that merged to form the London Borough of Ealing):

    • Joan Ansell, mayor of the London Borough of Ealing (1992-93)

 

Other Jewish Organisations & Institutions
connected to this congregation or situated in Ealing

Educational

  • Hebrew & Religious Classes - founded by 1919, the congregation's first minister (Rev. John S. Harris) having also been appointed Teacher.(lxxx) In 1922, there were 26 pupils.(lxxxi) It closed in 1992.(lxxxii)

Other Institutions

  • Ealing & Acton Hebrew Literary and Social Society (founded January 1920).(lxxxiv) It was succeeded by the Young Israel Society by at least 1930.(lxxxv)

  • Orphan Aid Society, founded by 1930.(lxxxvi)

  • Refugee Hostel in Montpelier Road, opened in July 1939 to accommodate some 23 Jewish boy refugees, aged between 15 and 18, who arrived in Britain by way of the Kindertransport. The hostel was closed in 1942.(lxxxvii)

  • Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY), founded in 1960.(lxxxviii)

 

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

  • (i) and (ii) Reserved.

  • (iii) The name of the congregation appearing in Jewish Year Books 1919 and 1920. ↵

  • (iv) The name of the congregation appearing in the Jewish Year Book 1921. ↵

  • (v) The name of the congregation appearing in Jewish Year Books 1922 through 1924. Adopted presumably on the congregation becoming an associate synagogue but prior to its inclusion of the word "Associate" as part of its name. ↵

  • (vi) The name of the congregation appearing in Jewish Year Books 1925 through 1933. ↵

  • (vii) The name of the congregation appearing in Jewish Year Books 1934 through 1976. ↵

  • (viii) The name of the congregation appearing solely in the Jewish Year Book 1977, adopted presumably on the congregation becoming a constituent synagogue of the United Synagogue. The congregation's Centenary Album stated that In 1977 the name of the Synagogue was shortened to "Ealing Synagogue". ↵

  • (ix) and (x) Reserved.

  • (xi) The listed address of the synagogue was 2 Grange Road, Ealing in Jewish Year Books 1924 through 1937 (with 15 Grange Road being the listed address from 1938 until the last edition of the year book - 2015). It appears that the general renumbering of Grange Road was triggered by the demolition of the large estate known as "The Grange" and the subsequent development of new housing on the south side of the road. ↵

  • (xii) Sharman Kadish's Jewish Heritage in Britain and Ireland, 2015 ("Kadish"), p.52. ↵

  • (xiii) Jewish Chronicle report of 11 April 1924 (p.36). ↵

  • (xiv) The congregation's Centenary Album. ↵

  • (xv) Kadish p.52. ↵

  • (xvi) and (xvii) Reserved.

  • (xviii) The congregation's Centenary Album. ↵

  • (xix) Our history on the congregation's website, accessed February 2026. ↵

  • (xx) The congregation's 90th Anniversary Brochure. ↵

  • (xxi) Ths was the address listed for the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1922 and 1923. ↵

  • (xxii) Victoria County History (VCH) of Middlesex, Volume 7 (covering Ealing). ↵

  • (xxiii) and (xxiv)

  • (xxv) 1 Florence Crescent was the listed address in Jewish Year Books 1919 and 1920 and 3 Florence Crescent was the listed address in the 1921 edition. At that time, Florence Crescent (now typically referred to as part of Florence Road) was a residential area near Ealing Common. ↵

  • (xxvi) "Our History" on the Congregation's website. ↵

  • (xxvii) The congregation's 90th Anniversary Brochure merely states that by 1910 there were a number of Jewish families living in Ealing and Shabbat services were held in people's homes and, at High Holidays, in the YMCA. ↵

  • (xxviii) and (xxix) Reserved.

  • (xxx) The predecessor congregation was listed as Ealing Hebrew Congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1911 (as well as 1919, but this could relate to the subsequent congregation) and as Ealing and Acton Hebrew Congregation (in the 1912 through 1918 editions). ↵

  • (xxviii) Listed in Jewish Year Books as an independent congregation. ↵

  • (xxxii) First listed in the Jewish Year Book 1911. ↵

  • (xxxiii) The address listed in Jewish Year Books 1911 through 1913. ↵

  • (xxxiv) The address listed in Jewish Year Books 1914 through 1918. ↵

  • (xxxv) 1 Florence Crescent, as mentioned above, was the address given for Ealing Hebrew Congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1919. However it is uncertain whether this to the precursor congregation or the first registration of the current congregation. ↵

  • (xxxvi) Rev. G. Prince was listed as minister and secretary of the precursor congregation in the Jewish Year Books 1914 through 1917. To view a short profile of Rev. Prince - hold the cursor over his name. ↵

  • (xxxvii) Based upon listings in Jewish Year Books: M. Cowen and D. Pinto (1911, 1912 editions); B.H. Goldburgh (1913 edition) ↵

  • (xxxviii) to (xli) Reserved.

  • (xlii) The United Synagogue 1870-1970 by Aubrey Newman (1977), pages 221, 223. ↵

  • (xliii) Listed as a constituent synagogue in Jewish Year Books from 1977. ↵

  • (xliv) to (xlvi) Reserved.

  • (xlvii) The congregation's Centenary Album provided Rev. Harris's years of service. He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1921 to 1924. ↵

  • (xlviii) The congregation's magazine New Ealing Review issue for Rosh Hashanah 2014 (available online) contains a short profile of Rev. Rose, including his years of service (p.18). He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1925 through 1962 (except for war years 1941-5, when publication ceased). ↵

  • (xlix) The congregation's magazine New Ealing Review issue for Rosh Hashanah 2014 (available online) contains a short profile of Rabbi Silberg, including his years of service (p.18). He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1963 through 1967. ↵

  • (l) The congregation's magazine New Ealing Review issue for Rosh Hashanah 2014 (available online) contains a short profile of Rev. Gale, including his years of service (p.19). He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1969 through 1988. ↵

  • (li) and (lii) Reserved.

  • (liii) The congregation's magazine New Ealing Review issue for Rosh Hashanah 2014 (available online) contains a short profile of Rabbi Jacobs, including his years of service (p.19). He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1989 through 1999. ↵

  • (liv) The congregation's website, last accessed February 2026. Rabbi Vogel was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books from 2000 until the last issue (2015). ↵

  • (lv) and (lvi) Reserved.

  • (lvii) Based upon Rev. J. Zaludsky's listing as reader of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1919 and 1920. ↵

  • (lviii) Alec Belkin's Jewish Chronicle obituary 27 September 1996. ↵

  • (lix) The congregation's magazine New Ealing Review issue for Rosh Hashanah 2014 (available online) contains a short profile of Rev. Goldberg, including his years of service (p.18). He was listed as reader and secretary of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1949 through 1975. ↵

  • (lx) to (lxii) Reserved.

  • (lxiii) Where a person is first listed in a year book as holding a particular office, it has been assumed that his term of office commenced in the year of publication of the relevant year book (which was generally towards the end of the year prior to the year appearing in the title of the year book) and that he continued in office until the commencement of office of his successor, unless the office was vacant (e.g. if he is listed in Jewish Year Books 1935 through 1938, it is assumed that he commenced office in 1934 and continued in office until 1938). However, it should be noted that this is only an assumption and accordingly his actual years of office may differ slightly from those shown here. (In particular, if the congregation held its annual meeting late in the year (as may well be the case, the dates shown here would generally all be one year earlier.) Jewish Year Books were not published during WWII subsequent to 1940. There were generally no Jewish Year Book listings of lay officers subsequent to 1956. ↵

  • (lxiv) The Jewish Year Book had no warden listed for this year. According to The congregation's Centenary Album (p.38), these individuals stepped in until the next general meeting. ↵

  • (lxv) Michael Levy would subsequently become president in the 1960s, serving until his death. (The congregation's 90th Anniversary Brochure.) ↵

  • (lxvi) and (lxvii) Reserved.

  • (lxviii) The United Synagogue 1870-1970 by Aubrey Newman (1977), pages 218/9. ↵

  • (lxix) The congregation's 90th Anniversary Brochure and/or its Centenary Album. ↵

  • (lxx) Reports on synagogue membership in the United Kingdom, published by or on behalf of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and which can be viewed on the website of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research. Click HERE for links to the various reports. ↵

  • (lxxi) The London Borough of Ealing, an Outer London Borough within the Greater London administrative area, was created on 1 April 1965 upon the merger of the Municipal Boroughs of Acton, Ealing and Southall. All three municipal boroughs had been within the former County of Middlesex. ↵

  • (lii) The former Registration District was Brentford, from 1 July 1837 until 1 October 1947. All registers would now be held by the current register office. ↵

  • (lxxiii) Page 477 of the 2010 List of Places of Worship ↵

  • (lxxiv) to (lxxix) Reserved.

  • (lxxiii) "Timeline" in the congregation's 90th Anniversary Brochure (p.10). ↵

  • (lxxxi) Jewish Year Book, 1923. ↵

  • (lxxxii) "Timeline - 1990s" in the congregation's Centenary Album. ↵

  • (lxxxiii) Reserved.

  • (lxxxiv) "Timeline - 1920s" in the congregation's Centenary Album. ↵

  • (lxxxv) Name change referred to in "Timeline - 1930s" in the congregation's Centenary Album. New name already listed in Jewish Year Book 1931. ↵

  • (lxxxvi) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1931. ↵

  • (lxxxvii) "Timeline - 1930s" and article "Jewish Refugees in Ealing" in the congregation's Centenary Album. ↵

  • (lxxxviii) Timeline - 1960s" in the congregation's Centenary Album. ↵


List of United Synagogue Congregations

Jewish Congregations in the London Borough of Ealing

Jewish Congregations in Greater London

Greater London home page

Page created: 19 October 2006
Notes first added: 6 February 2018
Data significantly expanded: 1 February 2026
Page most recently amended: 9 February 2025

Research by David Shulman, assisted by Steven Jaffe (rabbinic profiles)
Formatting by David Shulman

Explanation of Terms   |   About JCR-UK  |   JCR-UK home page

Contact JCR-UK Webmaster:
jcr-ukwebmaster@jgsgb.org.uk
(Note: This is to contact JCR-UK, not the above Congregation)

JGSGB  JewishGen


Terms and Conditions, Licenses and Restrictions for the use of this website:

This website is owned by JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. All material found herein is owned by or licensed to us. You may view, download, and print material from this site only for your own personal use. You may not post material from this site on another website without our consent. You may not transmit or distribute material from this website to others. You may not use this website or information found at this site for any commercial purpose.


Copyright © 2002 - 2026 JCR-UK. All Rights Reserved