North Western Reform Synagogue

North Western Reform Synagogue, known to almost everyone as Alyth, is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue in Temple Fortune, Golders Green, in the London Borough of Barnet, north-west London. Its building dates from the 1930s and the community remains one of the largest Reform congregations in the United Kingdom.

Where is Alyth and how do you get there?

The synagogue stands at Alyth Gardens in Temple Fortune, a suburban district at the northern edge of Golders Green. The area lies in north-west London, in the Borough of Barnet, on the approach to Hoop Lane. The coordinates are roughly 51.579 N, 0.196 W. Temple Fortune is a residential neighbourhood with a local shopping parade, so a visit fits easily into a day exploring Golders Green and the surrounding Jewish districts of north London.

When was the synagogue founded and built?

The congregation was founded in 1933. The building was completed in 1936 to a design by the architect Fritz Landauer. It is a good example of 1930s synagogue architecture in suburban London, created when the capital's Jewish population was moving steadily north-westward.

The site has an unusual history. The land was taken from the cemetery section of the West London Synagogue on Hoop Lane. Releasing it for building purposes required a private members' bill to be passed in Parliament, a detail that shows how carefully the transfer of burial ground had to be handled.

Why is Alyth important in British Reform Judaism?

Alyth was the first Reform synagogue formed in London since the founding of the West London Synagogue in 1840. That older congregation acted as its parent, and the link between the two is visible even in the land on which Alyth stands.

The congregation was also a founding member, in 1942, of the movement now known as the Movement for Reform Judaism. On 1 January 2026 that movement merged into the Movement for Progressive Judaism, and Alyth became one of its constituent communities.

Who led the congregation?

Early ministers shaped its character. Rabbi Solomon Elihu Starrels served as minister from 1933 until 1938. Rabbi Dr Werner Van der Zyl was senior minister from 1943 until 1958, a period in which the community grew alongside the wider Reform movement in Britain.

How big is the community?

Alyth has roughly 2,500 adult and 1,000 child members, which places it among the largest Reform synagogues in the country. It is a working place of worship and community life rather than a museum, so visitors should treat it as such.

Frequently asked questions

What does Alyth mean? Alyth is the everyday name of the North Western Reform Synagogue, taken from the street name Alyth Gardens where it stands.

Who designed the building? The architect was Fritz Landauer, and the building was completed in 1936.

Which movement does it belong to? It is a Reform congregation and, since 1 January 2026, a constituent community of the Movement for Progressive Judaism.

Is it a tourist attraction? It is an active synagogue. Anyone wishing to see the interior should contact the community in advance and respect services and security arrangements.

What else is nearby? Temple Fortune and Golders Green offer shops, cafes and several other religious and community buildings, making the area a natural stop for those interested in the history of Jewish London.