£12m rebuild unveiled by South Hampstead

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD Synagogue representatives have unveiled plans for a £12 million redevelopment of the north-west London shul.

The plans, submitted to Camden Council, involve opening a common room, café and men and women’s seating on the same level — after congregation members put forward requests to change the gallery seating.

“We have made do for far too long and our community deserves better,” said synagogue chairman David Turner.

“These plans will provide a building fit for the 21st century — a comfortable, practical home for the present size of the congregation that will provide dedicated spaces for our children, youth and seniors.

“These plans will provide us with a synagogue building that properly services the diverse needs of the congregation and enables us to better serve the local community by providing a resource for the many social action initiatives undertaken by our members.

“We are sure that the new building will make a positive contribution to the area as a whole.”

The existing building, on Eton Villas, was completed in 1962. Rabbi Shlomo Levin, senior rabbi at the2,000-strongcommunity, said the plans “address our urgent needs as a community — in particular those at the two ends of the age spectrum — our elderly and our children. “We hope to hear back from the council in around three to four months.”

The project will be funded by donations from synagogue members.

Rabbi Levin added: “We are confident we can get the funding.”

‘We have made do for far too long and our community deserves better’