Muswell Hill Synagogue

London, N10

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Interior of Muswell Hill Synagogue, Tetherdown, N10
(courtesy Jeff Rosen)

Congregation Data

Name:

Muswell Hill Synagogue⁽ⁱⁱ⁾ (also known as Muswell Hill United Synagogue)⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾

Earlier Names:^(iv)

Muswell Hill Congregation (until about 1932)

Muswell Hill Jewish Congregation (from about 1932 until about 1949)

Muswell Hill Hebrew Congregation (from about 1949 until about 1950)

Muswell Hill District Synagogue (from about 1950 until about 1976)

Address:

31 Tetherdown, Muswell Hill, London N10 1ND, from 1965.^(v)

The site on which the synagogue was built was purchase from Maurice family consisting of a large house with an extensive garden.^(vi) The purpose-built synagogue, designed by architect Joseph Mendleson (who won several awards for the design), was consecrated on 12 September 1965 by Dayan Dr M. Lew, assisted by Rev. S. Brazil and Rev. S. Haas.^(vii)

Formation and Earlier Addresses:

Jews began moving into Muswell Hill in about 1907, although it was not until 1911 that there were sufficient numbers to form a minyan for services. In 1911, the small hall at the Athenaeum,^(x) 12 Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, N10 was hired for the high festival services and this continued to be hired on a year by year basis for the festival services.^(xi)

Weekly Shabbat services commenced in 1936 or 1937 when Rev. M. Schechman was persuaded to move into the neighbourhood and the Shabbat services were held at his home at 6 Methuen Park, N10 until the mid-1940s.^(xii)

The congregation continued to use the small hall at the Athenaeum for high festival services, but which it had outgrown by the mid-1940s. In the 1940s a number of members of the congregation formed a limited company which acquired the leasehold interest in the Athenaeum Building for £500, which in turn granted a lease to the congregation for a nominal rent. The small hall was refurbished as a permanent synagogue, to be used for weekly services, and this was consecrated on 8 January 1950 by the Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, assisted by Rev. B.N. Michaelson, Rev. A. Rosenfeld and Rev. M. Schechtman, and opened by Dr. I.S. Fox. The large hall was then used by the congregation for its high festival services.^(xiii) This arrangement continued until 1963, when the Athenaeum building was sold and the proceeds used for the construction of a new purpose-built synagogue. The Athenaeum was demolished in 1966 and is today the site of a Sainsbury's supermarket.^(xiv)

Current Status:

Active

Ritual:

Ashkenazi Orthodox

Affiliation:

Initially unaffiliated, although from at least 1932 the congregation was enrolled for burial rights with the United Synagogue,^(xvii) which it formally joined in 1949 as a district synagogue.^(xviii) In 1976, it became a constituent synagogue, when the district synagogue category was discontinued.^(xix)

The congregation was the only Orthodox congregation among the five founding communities of the Eco Synagogue project (now EcoJudaism - https://ecojudaism.org.uk), launched in January 2018.^(xx)

Website:

https://muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk

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

Rev. Morris Schechtman - from 1936 or 1937 until about 1946.^(xxiii)

Rev. Harry Landy - from about 1946 until about 1947.^(xxiv)

Rev. J. Weintrobe - from about 1947 until about 1950.^(xxv)

Rev. Michael Elton - from 1951 until 1954.^(xxvi)

Rev. (later Rabbi) Solomon Brazil - from 1955 until 1986.^(xxvii)

Rabbi Dr Julian Shindler - from 1987 until 1999.^(xxx)

Rabbi David Lister - from 2000 until 2007.^(xxxi)

Rabbi David Mason - from 2008 until 2023.^(xxxii)

Rabbi Michael Rosenfeld-Schueler and Rebbetzen Tracey Schueler - rabbinic couple from 2024 until present (August 2026).^(xxxiii)

Lay Officers:

Unless otherwise stated, the data below on lay officers has been extracted from listings in Jewish Year Books,^(xxxvii) although in most instances, officers' given names have come from other sources.

Presidents/Chairmen^(xxxviii)

1911-1914 - H.J. Holland^(xxxix)

1914-1916 - L. Goldbaum

1916-1917 - A. Landstone

1917-1924 - M. Latte

1924-1932 - Jack W. Ash (Ch.)

1932-1946 - Alfred Myers (Ch.)^(xl)

1946-1950 - Dr I.S. Fox^(xli)

Vice President

1949-1950 - Maurice H. Morris

Treasurers

1914-1916 - R. Brilliant

1916-1924 - M. Latte

1924-1950 - Jack W. Ash^(xl)

Financial Representatives

1950-1952 - Maurice H. Morris

1952-1956 - Sid Posner

from 1956 - no data

Wardens

1950 - Dr Israel S. Fox & Maurice H. Morris^(xlii)

1950-1951 - Isaac Lasky & S. Mogil

1951-1952 - Isaac Lasky & B.W. Katz

1952-1956 - Maurice H. Morris & S. Mogil

from 1956 - no data

Secretaries & Hon Secretaries

1911-1914 - Charles Landstone

1914-1916 - Charles Landstone & Jack W. Ash

1917-1934 - John Leslie

1934-1936 - J. Jones

1936-1937 - Jack W. Ash (acting)

1937-1939 - J.J. Nichols

1939-1950 - Lew B. Harris^(xl)^(xliii)

1949-1973 - M. Sorsky^(xliii)

1973-1974 - Albert Hankin

1974-1988 - J. Roth

1988-1999 - Albert Hankin

Membership Data:

Early Years (congregants at High Festival services)^(xlvi)

1911

1930

1942

1945

20

50

142

250

United Synagogue (male seat-holders)^(xlvii)

1949

1950

1960

1970

174

203

255

354

National Reports & Surveys^(xlviii)

1977 - 320 male (or household) members and 92 female members

1983 - 315 male (or household) members and 113 female members

1990 - 429 members (comprising 421 households, 5 individual male and 3 individual female members)

1996 - 353 members (comprising 334 households, 11 individual male and 8 individual female members)

2010 - listed as having 300 to 399 members (by household)

2016 - listed as having 400 to 499 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:

Muswell Hill, a relatively prosperous residential suburb in North London, is in the London Borough of Haringey, which was created on 1 April 1965, within the administrative area of Greater London.^(xlix)

Previously, Muswell Hill was in the Municipal Borough of Hornsey (incorporated as a borough in 1903, previously an Urban District from 1894) in the County of Middlesex, both of which entities were abolished in 1965.

Registration District (BMD):

Haringey from 1 April 1965^(l) - Link to Register Office website

Worship Registration:

The synagogue at 31 Tetherdown is registered as a Place of Worship - Worship Register Number 70314 - under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855.^(li)

Cemetery
Information:

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

Sketch of the Synagogue by Maurice Grosse, 1995

Online Articles, Bibliography and Other Material
relating to this Congregation

on JCR-UK

Bibliography (London Borough of Haringey)

on Third Party Websites

The Jewish Folk on the Hill, a brief history of the Muswell Hill District Synagogue compiled by Pamela Wagman and illustrated by Maurice Grosse, on the congregation's website.

Notable Local Jewish Connections with Muswell Hill

(primarily courtesy Steven Jaffe)

Joel Nirmalan Defries (b. 1985), brought up in Muswell Hill, is a British-born TV presenter, who worked in New Zealand and on the BBC children's programme Blue Peter from 2008 to 2010.
Lynne Featherstone, Baroness Featherstone, PC (née Ryness; b. 1951), businesswoman, Liberal Democrat MP and member of the House of Lords, represented Muswell Hill as MP for Hornsey and Wood Green (2005-15) and began her political career as a ward councillor for Muswell Hill in 1998.
Baroness Gaitskell - Dora Anna Gaitskell (formerly Frost, née Creditor) (1901-1989) accompanied her father, Leon Creditor, when he served as the congregation's chazan in and possibly following 1911. She became the wife of Hugh Gaitskel, MP, the Labour politician who was Leader of the Opposition (1955-1963) and the holder of various ministerial posts in the Labour government from 1945 until 1951.
Jessica Hannah Glynne (b 1989), raised in Muswell Hill, is an award winning singer and songwriter.
Julian Keith Levene (1957-2022), born in Muswell Hill, was a musician, described as an artist, architect and re inventor of punk rock, who was a founding member of both the Clash and Public Image Ltd (PiL).
Dame Maureen Diane Turner (née Lipman; b 1946), an actress, comedian and columnist, born in Hull, and her then husband, Jack Rosenthal CBE (1931-2004), b. Manchester, playwright, lived in Muswell Hill for most of their married life.
Robert Peston (b.1960), journalist, presenter, and author, and the political editor of ITV News, lived for a time in Muswell Hill.
Barbara Roche (née Margolis; b 1954), a former pupil of the Jewish Free School, as Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green (1992 -2005) represented Muswell Hill.
Amelia Rosenthal (b.1974), a playwright from Muswell Hill, whose plays include Jerusalem Syndrome and Jack Rosenthal's Last Act. She is the daughter of Jack Rosenthal and Dame Maureen Lipman.

Other Organisations & Institutions
connected to this congregation

Educational

Hebrew & Religious Classes - the classes were started in 1929, initially at 5 Muswell Road, the home of Willi Nalkin. They then moved in 1931 to 96 Colney Hatch Lane, the home of Mr and Mrs Goodman. In about 1936, the classes moved to 6 Methuen Park, the home of Rev. M. Schechtman.
The first teacher, in 1929, was Rev. Stein from Highbury. Rev. M. Schechtman became to headmaster in about 1936.^(lvi)

Other Institutions

Ladies Guild - active by 1938.^(lvii)
Musweltovians - founded in 1938.^(lviii)
Muswell Hill WIZO group - active by 1961.^(lix)
Parents Association - This had been the backbone of the social life of the community and gave way to the Hahorim (Hebrew for parents The Parents) group in about 1980.^(lx)

Notes & Sources
(↵ returns to text above)

The following notes rely, in part, on a composite history of the congregation titled "The Jewish Folk on the Hill" compiled by Pamela Wagman in 1995, and which is available online on the congregation's website (with a link from here), and which we refer to below as the "Folk on the Hill".

(i) Reserved.
(ii) This appears to be the official name of the congregation, since it became a constituent synagogue of the United Synagogue in about 1976 (and the listed name in Jewish Year Books from 1977). ↵
(iii) The congregation is frequently referred to by this name. ↵
(iv) The names listed reflect the names under which the congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books. ↵
(v) The congregation's website, accessed July 2026, confirms the move to this address in 1965 and that this remains the address of the congregation. The congregation was listed with this address in the Jewish Year Books from 1965 until publication ceased in 2015. ↵
(vi) The Folk on the Hill, pp. 8/9 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill", written by W. Nalkin and extracted from a 1979 Newsletter. ↵
(vii) The congregation's website, accessed July 2026 and the Folk on the Hill, pp. 24/25 - "A Brick by Brick Account", written by the architect, Joseph Mendleson. To view a description of the Jewish architectural works by Joseph Mendleson, hold your cursor over his name. ↵
(viii) and (ix) Reserved.
(x) The Athenaeum was an ornate Edwardian building then used primarily for amateur theatrical performances, bazaars and political meetings. ↵
(xi) The Folk on the Hill, pp. 5/6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill", article written by Charles Landstone which appeared in The Jewish Chronicle of 1 September 1961 and The Folk on the Hill, pp. 8 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill". Jewish Year Books 1913 through 1924 listed 35 Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, London N10, as the congregation's address. However, this was the home address of Charles Landstone, who served as the congregation's initial hon. secretary. As the congregation had no premises at the time, the secretary's address served as its official correspondence address. (A number of Jewish Year Books from 1952 stated that the congregation was established in 1908. This statement appears to be incorrect.) ↵
(xii) The Folk on the Hill, p. 6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill" gives a start date of 1937, whereas The Folk on the Hill, p. 9 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill" gives a start date of 1936. ↵
(xiii) The Folk on the Hill, pp. 5/6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill" and the Folk on the Hill, p.14 - "I Remember", by Willi Nalkin. ↵
(xiv) The Folk on the Hill, pp. 8/9 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill", by W. Nalkin. ↵
(xv) to (xvi) Reserved.
(xxvii) The congregation was listed in Jewish Year Books 1933 through 1938 as unaffiliated but enrolled with the United Synagogue for burial rights. In the editions for 1939 and 1940, it was actually listed under the United Synagogue "Attached for Bural Rights". ↵
(xviii) The United Synagogue 1870-1970 by Aubrey Newman (1977), pages 220/221. ↵
(xix) The congregation was first listed as a constituent synagogue in the Jewish Year Book 1977. ↵
(xx) Jewish Chronicle 22 December 2017. ↵
(xxi) and (xxii) Reserved.
(xix) The Folk on the Hill, p. 6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill" gives a start date of 1937, whereas The Folk on the Hill, p. 9 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill" gives a start date of 1936. The end date is based upon Rev. M. Schechtman's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1939, 1940 and 1945/7 (publication having been suspended during the war period 1941/45). ↵
(xxiv) Dates based upon Rev. H. Landy's listing as minister of the congregation in the Jewish Year Book 1947. ↵
(xxiv) Based upon Rev. J. Weintrobe's listing as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1948 through 1950. ↵
(xxvi) The Jewish Chronicle of 28 March 1952 reported on an event to mark the first anniversary of Rev Elton's appointment at Muswell Hill and on 9 September 1955 it reported that Rev Elton had left the previous year for South Africa. Rev. M. Elton was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1952 through 1954. ↵
(xxvii) The Jewish Chronicle of 11 March 1955 reported that The Rev. S. Brazil had been appointed minister to the Muswell Hill District Synagogue and on 5 December 1986 it wished Rabbi Samuel Brazil and his wife Rita well on their retirement after thirty-one years of service. He was listed as Rev. S. Brazil in Jewish Year Books 1956 through 1976 and as Rabbi S. Brazil 1977 through 1987. ↵
(xxviii) and (xxix) Reserved.
(xxx) The Jewish Chronicle of 13 February 1987 reported the Muswell Hill Synagogue had approved the appointment of Rabbi Dr Julian Shindler as their part time minister and on 7 May 1999 it reported the his farewell reception held at Muswell-Hill Synagogue. He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 1988 through 1999. ↵
(xxxi) The Jewish Chronicle of 10 March 2000 reported that Muswell Hill had voted this week to ratify the appointment of Rabbi David Lister, currently at Reading and on 8 January 2008 it reported his first Shabbat in Edgware Synagogue. Rabbi D. Lister was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 2001 through 2008. ↵
(xxxii) The Jewish Chronicle of 5 September 2008 reported on Rabbi Mason's farewell event at Kingston on his move to Muswell Hill and on 27 December 2023 it reported that he had left Muswell Hill in May after 15 years, stating that if he had stayed, he would have burnt out. He was listed as minister of the congregation in Jewish Year Books 2009 through the last edition (2015). ↵
(xxxiii) The congregation's website, last accessed August 2026. ↵
(xxxiv) to (xxxvi) Reserved.
(xxxvii) 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. Jewish Year Books were not published during WWII subsequent to 1940. There were no Jewish Year Book listings of officers (other than secretary) subsequent to 1956. ↵
(xxxviii) Generally the title was "president", except for two instances - those shown with (ch) following, who were listed in Jewish Year Books as "chairman". ↵
(xxxix) The Folk on the Hill, p. 5 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill" gives the name of the first president as Mr. Hochberg. ↵
(xl) The publication of the Jewish Year Book was suspended in the war-years 1941-1945. However, these officers were listed in their respective offices both prior to and subsequent to the cessation of publication, and it is assumed that they continued to serve in the same office during the intervening period. ↵
(xli) Dr. I.S. Fox subsequently became Honorary Life President. ↵
(xlii) Not listed in the Jewish Year Book. These were the wardens listed in the Order of Service for the consecration of the Athenaeum synagogue on 8 January 1950.(The Folk on the Hill, p.12) ↵
(xliii) In the Jewish Year Book 1950, L.B. Harris was listed as hon. secretary and M. Sorsky was listed as secretary. ↵
(xliv) and (xlv) Reserved.
(xlvi) The Folk on the Hill, p. 6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill". In 1929, there were 15 families. ↵
(xlvii) The United Synagogue 1870-1970 by Aubrey Newman (1977), pages 218/9. ↵
(xlviii) 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. ↵
(xlix) The London Borough of Haringey, an Outer London Borough within the Greater London administrative area, was created on 1 April 1965 upon the merger of the three municipal boroughs of Hornsey, Tottenham and Wood Green. All three municipal boroughs had been within the former County of Middlesex. ↵
(l) The former Registration Districts were: Edmonton, from 1 July 1837 until 1 October 1947, and Wood Green, from 1 October 1947 until 1 April 1965. All registers would now be held by the current register office. ↵
(li) Page 649 of the 2010 List of Places of Worship ↵
(lii) to (lv) Reserved.
(lvi) The Folk on the Hill, pp. 8/9 - "1929-1979, 50 Years from Rags to Riches in Muswell Hill". ↵
(lvii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1939 ↵
(lviii) First listed in Jewish Year Book 1939 ↵
(lix) The Folk on the Hill, p. 6 - "Golden Jubilee at Muswell Hill". ↵
(lx) The Folk on the Hill, p. 36 - "The Best Part of 30 Years, A Personal View". ↵

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Page created: 18 November 2006
Data significantly expanded and notes first added: 7 July 2026
Page most recently amended: 12 August 2026

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

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