Belmont Synagogue

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.