History of West Ham (Associate) Synagogue
1897-1911

This historical account was published by West Ham (Associate) Synagogue
in "The Order of Service for the Consecration"
of its synagogue at Earlham Grove on 9 April 1911

Portraits, 1911

The attempt to trace the story of the Synagogue from its very beginning, arouses the same interest as watching the growth of the seed into the ripened fruit. It was due to the energy and enthusiasm of the late Mr Ephraim Samson that the movement first took form. After conferring with two or three of the older residents in the district he convened a meeting on 18th August 1897, by circular, to be held at his residence, 43 Buckingham Road, Stratford.

The object was due to consider the advisability of holding divine service during the ensuing High Festivals. The nearest place of worship being four miles away, it was felt that the distance was far too great for the majority of residents to attempt without considerable effort.

In response to the invitation eighteen gentlemen attended. Mr Symon Weber was appointed Chairman: Mr E. H. Cohen, Treasurer; and Mr E. Samson, Hon. Sec.; and a provisional committee was formed. Amongst those who attended this preliminary meeting, the following gentlemen may be specially mentioned: Messrs L. Joseph, L. Jonas, J. Seigenberg, S. Woolf, G. Wortman and M. A. Solomons.

Having by a brief canvass convinced themselves that the movement corresponded to a real want in the neighbourhood, it was resolved to advertise in the Jewish press. The practical outcome was that the services were held at the Earlham Hall, Forest Gate, where about a hundred worshippers attended.

Through the efforts of Mr E. Samson, valuable assistance was rendered by the authorities of the New Synagogue in lending the Scrolls of the Law together with appurtenances and Ark on this occasion, and also during the two succeeding years.

The large attendances at the services augured well for the future of the congregation, but beyond holding of services, during the High Festivals of 1898 and 1899, nothing further could be done in the movement.

The residents, however, now became painfully alive to the fact that the rising generation was sadly neglected, and the committee cherished the hope that efforts to supply that want would be hailed with enthusiasm. Thus it was that the necessity was recognised for calling into existence an institution that would fulfil the two-fold object of school and synagogue.

At a meeting held on September 29th, 1897, Mr L. Borden proposed that Sabbath classes be established. On a canvass of the neighbourhood it was discovered that the number of children without provision for Hebrew and religious instruction was large. It was decided to open classes forthwith and, on November 29th, work was begun with 25 children at Whitehall School, Forest Gate, under the direction of Mr A. Harris. Instruction was given twice a week. These classes have grown so that 120 children are on the register, with an average attendance of 90, and three sessions are held each week for instruction under the supervision of Mr G. Rosenthal.

During the intervening period, the provisional committee was far from idle; the unexpectedly large number that interested themselves served only to intensify the desire of the residents to have a permanent place of worship. On October 8th, 1899, it was decided that a house should be rented for that purpose at 129 Forest Lane, Forest Gate, where services were to be held on Sabbath and Festivals, and members were to subscribe no less than 6d. per week.

The first service was held on Sabbath, January 6th, 1900, Mr G. Rosenthal being engaged as Reader and Baal Kareh.

A Ladies' Guild was also formed on December 10th, 1899 to provide the necessary Holy vestments. Mrs A. E. Abrahams presented a Curtain Cover and Mantles for use on the High Festivals, Mr S. Weber and daughters a similar set for use on Sabbaths, and Mrs L. Joseph and daughter one for the festivals. Two Mantles were presented by Mrs E. H. Cohen, a Cover for the Reading Desk by Mrs J. Barnett, and the Rollers for the Scrolls by Mrs H. Samuels; also White Curtain and Desk Cover by Mrs M. A. Solomons.

In connection with the opening of the Synagogue the following gifts were also received: Mr S. Weber, Ark and all the Furniture and Fittings required for use; Mr Sim Cohen, Kiddush Cup and Spice Box; Mr E. H. Cohen, two Silver Pointers; Mrs L. Norden, two Leaded Lights.

On October 29th, 1899, Mr Leon Harris generously presented a Scroll of the Law, and an additional one was at the same time purchased by the congregation.

Mr Henry Weber volunteered to act as honorary collector, and served the congregation for a period of eight years, and much of the success of the early stage was due to his untiring efforts. Mr Symon Weber and the late Mr E. H. Cohen set themselves the task of discovering prospective members (by means of personal inquiries and by personal canvass) under all conditions of weather. The membership steadily increased week by week till a firm foundation was laid.

What materially helped to cement the congregation was the spirit of fraternity, and members could be relied on to form a Minyan on Jahrzeits or whenever the necessity arose.

On January 28th, 1900, the congregation elected their first Board of Management: President, Mr S. Weber; Vice-President, Mr L. Joseph; Treasurer, Mr E. H. Cohen; Hon Sec., Mr E. Samson; Trustees, Messrs L. Harris, L. Norden and N. H. Van Cleef and a committee as follows: Messrs ]. Barnett, H. Baum, F. Lewis Cohen, Marcus Cohen, J. Norden, A. Rosenthal, H. Samuels, N. H. Van Cleef and H. Weber, Hon. Collector.

To these should be added the names of the following who subsequently served on the committee: Messrs S. Harris, F. Isaacson, B. M. Jones, S. B. Kempner, S. Morris, E. Lazarus, A. Rosenthal, A. Sniders and D. Stephcns.

A further stage was reached in the work of the congregation by the establishment of a Burial Society on November 4th, 1900.

The congregation had no arrangements in the case of the demise of a member, and Mr Leonard B. Franklin, Treasurer of the Burial Society of the United Synagogue evinced his deep interest in the residents of the district by personally undertaking to secure on the payment of a small sum the same privileges as were accorded to members of the constituent Synagogues.

The Committee desired gratefully to acknowledge the kindness of Mr L. B. Franklin who so warmly entered into the project. This arrangement continued until the Synagogue was enrolled under the Associate Scheme, and was so satisfactory that Mr L. B. Franklin was enabled to hand over the balance, which amounted to £140, to the Building Fund of the Synagogue.

In 1900 it was found that the congregation had outgrown its accommodation, and it was decided to move in the direction of obtaining larger premises, and on December 2nd it was resolved to purchase a house and plot of ground at 95 Earlham Grove, for the sum of £1,200. A commission of £50 on this purchase to which Mr Van Cleef was entitled, he generously placed at the disposal of the congregation, and this together with £50 in hand reduced the liability of £1,100. This sum was allowed by the vendor to remain on mortgage at 5 per cent. per annum for a period of no less than five years.

On February 3rd, 1902, Mr E. Samson retired from the position of Honorary Secretary in which office he displayed so much zeal and took up the less onerous duties of Vice-President. He was succeeded in the secretarial duties by Mr F. Lewis Cohen, who did excellent work and during whose term of office a code of laws was elaborated.

As business necessitated a lengthy visit abroad, Mr Cohen was reluctantly obliged to relinquish his post and Mr L Norden volunteered to act in this capacity.

Vigorous efforts were now made to reduce the mortgage. A generous contribution had already been obtained from Mrs Lucas, through the kind offices of Mr E. Samson. Mr A. E. Abrahams now stepped into the breach and organised a matinee at the Borough Theatre, on January 30th, 1902, by which the sum of £250 was realised in aid of the building fund. A deep debt of gratitude is owing to Mrs C. Ellis Fredericks for placing the service of the theatre and staff at the disposal of the Committee. The liability was thus reduced by October 1902, to the sum of £900, and the thanks of the congregation are due to those whose efforts were crowned with such success.

The Associate Synagogue Committee, to whom the application had been made for admission, wished to be furnished with plans and approximate costs of the proposed buildings. Instructions were accordingly given to Mr Bertie Crewe (architect) to prepare the plans and estimates for Synagogue and classrooms; but here difficulties arose with the owners of the adjoining premises. The Committee learning that the adjoining (No. 97) could be purchased, availed themselves of the opportunity with the consent of the Associate Committee, and secured the property for the sum of £595 on February 28th, 1904. The Gurney Trustees then granted the licence to build. To enable the congregation, who were now in difficulties as to the completion of the purchase, Mrs N. H. Van Cleef kindly advanced the sum of £400 at bank-rate of interest. The funds of the congregation, through careful management, shewed a balance in hand of £200 during the ensuing twelve months, and this amount was applied to reducing the liability, thus leaving a balance of £200.

During these negotiations valuable assistance was rendered by the Honorary Solicitor of the congregation, Mr A. S. Joseph (son of the first Vice-President, Mr L. Joseph). In connection with the purchase of the properties, the mortgages, and the difficulties arising with the owners of the premises adjoining, the interests of the congregation were closely watched by him, and his legal knowledge was always placed at the disposal of the congregation gratuitously.

Mention should also be made of the services rendered to the congregation for several years by Mr Marcus Cohen. His experience gained in municipal work was repeatedly brought to bear on many knotty points that arose.

ln 1903 the Rev. L. Mendelsohn, MA, was appointed (by the United Synagogue) Minister of the Congregation, and has assisted in no uncertain manner in raising the status of the congregation to the present level. He was instrumental in founding the South Essex Literary and Social Union, which for a number of years served to bring the members and their families into close touch.

In 1907 a voluntary choir was formed from the children of the Hebrew and religion classes, by Mr J. De Haas which is doing useful work in familiarizing the children with the traditional melodics. Nor should we omit to mention the services rendered by Mr S. Hyman as Honorary Shammas for a great number of years.

Many-sided are the activities displayed by the community. To meet these wishes of a section of the congregation the Synagogue has recently taken under its aegis a Talmud Torah. The experiment of having these classes under the same roof as that of the religion classes is watched with interest.

Here we may note the activities displayed at various periods by the following sons of members: Masters Abraham Harris, D. Cohen, H. Harris and M. Harris, who gave their services when assistant collectors were required owing to the increase in membership.

First the loss of Mr E. Samson, who passed away on February 6th, 1907; then of another founder of the Congregation, Mr E. H. Cohen, the Treasurer, whose unslackened labours in securing the adherence of members helped largely the cause with which he had identified himself so closely until his death on March 31st, 1909; the names of the late John Barnett and Joseph Norden, who had done unobtrusive though useful work, should also be mentioned. But though the workers are buried, the work must proceed, and remains as their truest monument.

On January 7th, 1906, a further stage was reached when the Council of the United Synagogue took over the mortgage of £900 still owing on the property of 93, 95, 97 Earlham Grove, and thus absolved the Synagogue from the payment of any further interest. The capital amount was advanced to be repaid by annual graduated payments, spread over a period of twenty-six years. The Synagogue was henceforth to be styled 'The West Ham Associate Synagogue' with all the privileges appertaining thereto. A letter was received from Mr L. B. Franklin congratulating the congregation on the attainment of their laudable ambition. Mr S. Weber was selected to act as representative of the Synagogue on the Associate Committee.

Energetic efforts were now made with the assistance of the Chief Rabbi to push forward the scheme for the building of the Synagogue and Classrooms. A Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary were to be obtained Endeavours were made to secure the services of gentlemen prominent in the community. Mr L. Norden showed himself most assiduous and energetic in the arduous duties appertaining to the position of Secretary.

He spared no trouble in performing the duties entrusted to him. When great difficulty was experienced in securing an Honorary Secretary for the Building Committee he offered his services in that capacity, and undertook to watch the interests of the congregation during the erection, and thereby saved the congregation a considerable amount.

The Very Rev. the Chief Rabbi, who visited the congregation and presided on the occasion of a distribution of prizes, urged the necessity of the immediate erection of a permanent Synagogue. Mr Felix Davis, Treasurer of the United Synagogue, who presided at a similar function in the preceding year, had also strongly supported the movement for a permanent place of worship.

The Chief Rabbi succeeded in inducing Jerrold N. Joseph, Esq., to act as Chairman, and Samuel Moses, Esq., MA, as Treasurer. An influential committee was formed consisting of Revs M. Joseph and L. Mendelsohn, Messrs F. I. Lyons, M. Cohen, S. Weber, N. H. Van Cleef, A. E. Abrahams, A. H. Valentine, F. Lewis Cohen, and H. Weber. The Board of Management of the Synagogue resolved itself into a committee to further this work. Their names are here recorded: Messrs H. Baum, J. Cohen, Sim Cohen, J. De Haas, L. Freeman, E. Goldman, L. Harris, S. Hyman, J. Joseph, R. Lyons, S. Morris, M. Mitchell, Junr., J. Rosenthal, M. A. Solomons, together with Messrs L. Dicks, Lewis Harris, A. Michaels and J. Wimborne, whose names were added at a later period.

A private appeal in June 1908 met with a satisfactory response from Messrs N. M. Rothschild & Sons, Mrs Helen Lucas, N. L. Cohen, Edgar Cohen, and Sir Herbert Cohen, Bart., but it was considered advisable in view of the numerous appeals before the community at large, to defer the issue of a public appeal till April, 1909. This appeal did not in any way realise the expectations formed. Apart from the contributions that came through the efforts of the Chairman (Mr J. N. Joseph), Treasurer (Mr S. Moses), and the Rev. Morris Joseph, the results were not encouraging. As a consequence, the scheme originally put forward had to be modified. Instead of erecting the Synagogue and Classrooms, the congregation had perforce to defer for the present the building of the Classrooms. By careful economy the balance of the funds, after paying away the necessary expenses, accumulated to £1,600 which together with the amount resulting from the efforts of the local committee totalled the sum of £1,900.

This amount was still £500 short of the sum required for the erection of the Synagogue. The Associate Committee, on being informed of the difficulty, generously recommended the Council of the United Synagogue to advance half of this amount, conditionally on the remaining half being guaranteed by the local board of management.

Once more A. E. Abrahams came to the relief and again enlisted the services of Mrs. C. Ellis Fredericks, who placed the Borough Theatre, Stratford, at the disposal of the committee for the purpose of organising a matinee. Thanks to the interest shewn by Mr Fred Fredericks and Mr Sam Fredericks an excellent programme, in which many well-known artists appeared, was provided, and the required amount of £250 was realised. The secretarial work in connection with the matinee was undertaken by Messrs L. Norden, F. Lewis Cohen and H. Weber.

In May 1910, tenders were invited for the building, and Mr A. E. Symes, of Stratford, for the sum of £2,997 was accepted. Operations were commenced on August 4th. On October 27th, the ceremony of laying the Foundation Stone took place. This was laid with the usual formality by Sir Herbert Cohen, Bart., who was duly presented with a Silver Trowel. The Chief Rabbi conducted the service, and offered up a beautiful prayer, and he was assisted by the Rev. L. Mendelsohn, MA, and the Rev. S. Levy, MA, who read the Minchas Service. The Choir of the Ncw Synagogue enhanced the effect by their harmonious rendering of the Psalms. There was a very large attendance of members and their friends, and amongst the visitors on this occasion may be mentioned the Revs. M. Joseph, J. F. Stern, D. Wasserzug, BA, and S. Blachman, also Mr and Mrs L. B. Franklin, Mr and Mrs ]. N. Joseph, Mr and Mrs S. Moses, Mrs Harris Lebus, Mrs Ellis Fredericks, Mr and Mrs Behrens, Mr G. Jacobs and Mr H. Harris, JP. The Mayor of West Ham (Alderman J. G. Hosking, JP), Alderman Bothwell, Councillors Marcus Cohen, Brabazon, Enos Smith, Hurry, Mitchell, and many other prominent members of the Council also honoured this occasion. Mr J. N. Joseph, in moving a vote of thanks to Sir Herbert Cohen, urged the necessity of completing the whole scheme by raising the amount necessary for the classrooms (£900), and this will be the immediate work of the committee.

We have thus reached the end of our story. The community has been watching with keen interest the rise of the stately building, which is the centre of religious life in the district. Its range of usefulness will include not only the present workers whose task it will be to preserve the structure erected by their fathers, intact. Truly a day of joy will be the day on which the Synagogue will open its doors to those who have watched and waited for the realization of their hopes so long. 'This is the day which the Lord has made; we will be glad and rejoice thereon.'

9 April 1911