In The Beginning
The Jewish community of Muswell Hill dates back to 1907, when the Landstones family moved into the area. But it wasn’t until 1911, when two other Jewish families had joined them that they could join together to make up the first minyan, meeting to pray in their own homes.
A few years later, services moved to the Athenaeum. A grand building in the classical style, this had been recently constructed as a hub for social and political activities in Muswell Hil on the Fortis Green Road site now occupied by Sainsburys.
The first building
As the community gradually grew, the rented Athenaeum hall became a permanent home, and was adapted to accommodate the practical requirements of Muswell Hill Synagogue. An East End teacher was hired as a chazan, with twenty people present for his first service.
Numbers increased gradually until in 1943 the hall was purchased for £500, and the shul was officially admitted as a District Synagogue of the United Synagogue.
In 1955 Rabbi Brazil became the first minister, leading the community until 1986.
Moving to Tetherdown
In 1965, the community was large enough to commission a purpose-built synagogue on a new site in Tetherdown, its modernist style signalling the beginning of a new era for the Muswell Hill community. Architect Joseph Mendleson won several awards for the design.
Key Dates
| 1907 | First minyan in Muswell Hill |
| 1911 | Prayer services begin at the Athenaeum |
| 1943 | Muswell Hill becomes District Synagogue of the United Synagogue |
| 1955 | Rabbi Samuel Brazil becomes first Rabbi of Muswell Hill |
| 1965 | Shul Moves to Tetherdown site |
| 1986 | Rabbi Dr. Julian Shindler appointed |
| 2000 | Rabbi David Lister appointed |
| 2008 | Rabbi David Mason appointed |
| 2011 | Muswell Hill Centenary celebrated |
| 2024 | Rabbi Michael Rosenfeld and Tracey Schueler appointed |
