Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue

Story

Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has the largest community of any single Orthodox synagogue in the whole of Europe as of 2012. It is a constituent of the United Synagogue (mainstream Orthodox). It is situated in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow.HistoryThe congregation became affiliated with United Synagogue in 1946, becoming a district synagogue in 1952 and subsequently a constituent (member) synagogue.Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has previously been called "Stanmore and Canons Park District Synagogue" and "Canons Park & District Hebrew Congregation". The current building (Main Shul) was consecrated on 18 March 1951 (Jewish Date: 10th Adar 5711) by Dayan Dr I. Grunfeld and Isaac Wolfson Esq.. The Synagogue was actually built facing north rather than east (towards Jerusalem). The community centre was consecrated on 8 September 1963. The Freeman Susman Hall (above the community centre) is actually bigger than the main synagogue itself. The corridor between the main synagogue and the community centre was widened in an extension in 2002. As part of the extension a garden was established at the front of the building. The synagogue added a lift in 2008 so that disabled members could access all parts of the building. In 2014 the main shul was refurbished as well as half of the classrooms.