The Westminster Synagogue is an independent^[1] Jewish Progressive synagogue and community near Hyde Park, London. It is located in Kent House, a restored^[2] Victorian town house in Knightsbridge. The building, which dates from the late 1800s, also houses the Czech Memorial Scrolls Centre.^[3]

Quick Facts Religion, Affiliation ...

Westminster Synagogue
Kent House, location of the Westminster Synagogue
Religion
Affiliation	Independent Progressive Judaism
Leadership	Rabbi Benji Stanley
Status	Active
Location
Location	Kent House, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1BX  United Kingdom
Website
www.westminstersynagogue.org

Close

The congregation was founded in 1957 by Rabbi Harold Reinhart, who resigned from his position as Senior Minister of the West London Synagogue and, accompanied by 80 former members of that synagogue, established the New London Jewish Congregation.^[4] Shortly afterwards it was renamed Westminster Synagogue.^[4]

The congregation's earliest services were held at Caxton Hall,^[1] Westminster, from whose location the Synagogue derives its name. In 1960 the congregation acquired Kent House opposite Hyde Park in Knightsbridge. Kent House was built in 1872–4 for Louisa Baring, Lady Ashburton. In 1909, Sir Saxton Noble acquired the house: in 1959, his son sold the building, before it was acquired by the synagogue congregation. The building provided room for a synagogue, accommodation for congregational activities and a flat for the rabbi.^[4]

Westminster Synagogue has, in religious terms, remained largely in tune with the Reform movement in Britain. Although not affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism, Westminster Synagogue is served by the Movement's Beit Din and has links with the West London Synagogue's burial facilities as well as strong links with Liberal Judaism. The congregation aims to give equality to all members, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.

Rabbi Reinhart,died in 1969 and was succeeded by Rabbi Chaim Stern. Rabbi Stern's tenure was brief and he was succeeded by Rabbi Albert Friedlander in 1971.^[4] Rabbi Friedlander, who retired in 1997, combined his ministry for some years with his post as Director of Rabbinical Studies at the Leo Baeck College.^[4]

Rabbi Dr Thomas Salamon succeeded Rabbi Friedlander in 1997. He was ordained in June 1972 and served as Associate Rabbi at West London Synagogue for three years and then became Deputy and later Executive Director of Norwood, where he served the organisation for three years.  Before joining Westminster, Rabbi Salamon qualified as a solicitor, worked at various law firms, including is own law practice, and one accountancy firm. In 2014, Rabbi Salamon was awarded a doctorate from the University of Budapest.^[5]

In 2017, Rabbi Salamon took the post of Rabbi Emeritus at Westminster Synagogue as Rabbi Benjamin (Benji) Stanley took the post of Senior Rabbi of the community, becoming the youngest principal Rabbi of a sizeable progressive synagogue in the UK. Before joining Westminster Synagogue, Rabbi Stanley held Rabbinic posts at West London Synagogue, and also in a community development role with the Reform Movement in the UK having graduated from Leo Baeck College. Along with a commitment to people, Jewish learning, and social justice, Benji completed the six-day Citizens UK community organising course and the six-month, Cambridge-run, Senior Faith in Leadership Programme – and he brings these relational community organising and leadership skills to all the work he does.  ^[6]

At the 65th Annual General Meeting of Westminster Synagogue held on 8th June 2023, then Student Rabbi Dr Kamila Kopřivová was unanimously elected to join Rabbi Benji Stanley and Emeritus Rabbi Dr. Thomas Salamon as part of the rabbinic team. The congregation's decision to recruit an additional rabbi was driven by its increasing membership, with almost 150 new households joining since 2020, highlighting the need for expanded spiritual leadership.

On her graduation from Leo Baeck College in September 2023, Rabbi Kopřivová was ordained in a special service hosted at Westminster Synagogue.   The ceremony was presented by Rabbi Alexander Kovtun and Helene Bar, and Rabbi Kopřivová was ordained by Rabbis Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris and Dr Charles Middleburgh, all under the auspices of the Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Kopřivová earned her PhD in Jewish Theology at Charles University, Prague, and went on to study at Abraham Geiger Kolleg in Potsdam, and the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.^[7] In 2023, Rabbi Kopřivová released her book Rabínka v zácviku (A Rabbi in Training), telling her story of the journey to faith and spiritual vocation, but also through all essential aspects of Judaism. ^[8]

Westminster Synagogue is a warm and welcoming independent community, which allows its members to practise Judaism in their own way without criticism or judgment.  Their members are culturally diverse and come from many countries.  Whilst they may have come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, in Westminster Synagogue they enjoy a Jewish life that combines traditional roots and a progressive approach.

A key feature of Westminster Synagogue is its founding principles. Their clarity and passion guided the Synagogue’s rabbis – Harold Reinhart, Albert Friedlander and Thomas Salamon – throughout their ministries and serve to inspire Rabbi Benji Stanley and Rabbi Kamila Kopřivová in their spiritual leadership of the community.^[9]

The community strives to be a hub of excellent Jewish learning; of participatory services with a passion for singing; of chesed, care, for the welfare of its members; of building meaningful relationships between its members and between Westminster Synagogue and the wider world. They foster these values through all they do, including Shabbat and Festival Services, Learning sessions for adults and children, cultural and social events, 1:1 connections and more.

There are many groups within the Synagogue community for members to engage with, including Westminster Next Dor, for those in their 20s-30s; Oy Vey, We're Gay, for those who identify as queer and their allies; Chuliyot, for those that enjoy singing in and out of services; WS Czech Scrolls, for those that want to engage with the work of the Memorial Scrolls Trust; as well as Synagogue Symposia, Bridge Clubs, Book Clubs, Social Outings and much more.^[10]

Westminster Synagogue has been closely involved with the Memorial Scrolls Trust, which holds and cares for a collection of scrolls collected from Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia during the Second World War by the Jewish Museum of Prague. This collection was acquired by Westminster Synagogue in 1964.^[4] A small museum on the third floor of Kent House displays the work of the Trust and tells the history of the scrolls. It is open for viewings by appointment, which members of the public can book via the Memorial Scrolls Trust's website. ^[11][12]

On Sunday 4th February 2024, Westminster Synagogue hosted the Keynote event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the scrolls arrival at Kent House. The event brought together 56 Scrolls and 275 individuals representing communities worldwide, including Netherlands, Czech Republic, Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, America, and more. Notable attendees included the Czech and Slovak ambassadors, representatives from the Israeli and American Embassies as well as the Lord Mayor of Westminster, nearby councillors, and rabbis from communities around the United Kingdom and the world.

• List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom
• List of former synagogues in the United Kingdom