IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0074 LMA/4280
Held at: London Metropolitan Archives
Title: BELMONT SYNAGOGUE
Date(s): 1954-2002
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 4.9 linear metres
Name of creator(s): Belmont Synagogue
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Belmont Shul was officially formed on 16th February 1966. This was a result of a meeting of local community members held at the house of David Shine in 1965 which identified a need for a Synagogue/meeting place in that area. It was formally accepted into the United Synagogue as a member in the same year in which it was founded.
By the time land was purchased for the site of the Shul in 1977 membership had already grown to 365 members despite not having a communal building to meet and practice in. It was not until 1981 that this purpose-built site was completed and their first service was held at Vernon Drive, Wemborough Road, Stanmore. The first part-time minister was Reverend Elkan Levy who resigned in 1973 and was replaced by Reverend David Freedman. Rabbi Shafer became the new minister in 1989, succeeded by Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman in 1992 and most recently Rabbi Daniel Roselaar.
Apart from carrying out religious functions (the first Barmitzvah was in 1970 and the first Bat Chayil ceremony was in 1975), Belmont Synagogue developed many community groups and activities including a kindergarten, a choir, a youth club, a scouts and brownie group, a social and cultural group and societies such as the Belmont Israel Society which promotes the State of Israel and carries out fundraising work for causes in that country.
The Synagogue was, and is still, run by a Board of Management and Council of Management which accepted female members for the first time in 1987 and 1988 respectively. In 1990 the Shul celebrated its 25th Anniversary by commissioning a new Sefer Toarah which was dedicated by the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks. In 1994 membership had reached 508 male and 173 female members and the Synagogue continues to thrive in 2001 with a membership of 724.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Records of the Belmont Synagogue, covering the whole range of activities undertaken by the Synagogue. In particular, the administration is well represented with minutes, agendas and correspondence from all the main committees; the Council of Management, Membership, Building Fund, Ladies Guild, Parents Association, Education and Social Activity Group.
Information on the religious life can be gleaned from files on Rabbi selection, Bat Chayil Ceremony, Yom Naroim and the Sefer Torah as well as from the substantial photographic collection which also presents a good picture of the social side of the community.
PLEASE NOTE that written permission from the depositors is required to access this collection.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
LMA/4280/01 Administration;
LMA/4280/02 Finance;
LMA/4280/03 Youth Welfare;
LMA/4280/04 Occasions and religious events;
LMA/4280/05 Ephemera, printed and audio-visual material;
LMA/4280/06 Relations with other organisations;
LMA/4280/07 Related correspondence. Where additional records have subsequently been deposited with the collection it has been necessary to supply reference numbers for individual files with an extra '/' and number (for example 'LMA/4280/01/033/1'), in order to place them in the correct sequence. These files do not relate directly with files with the same number before the last '/'.
Conditions governing access:
Access by written permission only.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.
Physical characteristics:
Fit.
Finding aids:
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Deposited in three accessions, in 2000, 2002 and 2017.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
For the records of the United Synagogue deposited at London Metropolitan Archives see ACC/2712 and for the Chief Rabbi's papers see ACC/2805. Both collections require the permission of the depositor before access is granted.
Publication note:
For further information please consult the LMA Information Leaflet: "Records of the Anglo-Jewish Community at London Metropolitan Archives"; available to download here: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm (URL correct Feb 2010).
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Date(s) of descriptions: Description prepared in March 2010. Updated November 2019.