Reading Synagogue

Reading Synagogue is the Orthodox place of worship of the Jewish community of Reading, the county town of Berkshire in southern England. Its Moorish-style building dates from 1900, is Grade II listed, and still stands on its original site close to Goldsmid Road and Clifton Street.

What is Reading Synagogue?

It is an Independent Orthodox congregation operating under the auspices of the Chief Rabbi. The congregation describes itself as the only Orthodox synagogue in Berkshire, and it serves Reading together with surrounding areas, including parts of Wokingham, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. The building is both a working house of prayer and a piece of local architectural and social history.

When and why was it built?

Jewish life in the Reading area can be traced back at least to 1842, when a Jewish family is recorded living there. A formal community emerged in 1886, reportedly made up of around thirteen families. The land for a purpose-built synagogue was acquired in 1899, and the Goldsmid family played an important part in providing it. The synagogue was consecrated on 31 October 1900 by Chief Rabbi Hermann Adler, with Sir Samuel Montagu taking part in the opening ceremony.

Why is the street called Goldsmid Road?

The street was formerly known as Westfield Road and was renamed in honour of the Goldsmid family. Sir Francis Goldsmid, a prominent figure in the Anglo-Jewish world, sat as Member of Parliament for Reading from 1860 until his death, which explains the family's lasting association with the town. Sources differ on some earlier street names, so it is best to treat the older naming details with caution.

What does the building look like?

The synagogue was designed in the Moorish style, an approach popular for synagogues in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Its listing at Grade II reflects its architectural and historical value. For a visitor, the exterior alone is a rewarding stop in a residential part of the town, quite different from Reading's better-known riverside and abbey sights.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit? It is an active place of worship, so it is sensible to contact the congregation in advance through its official website before planning a visit, especially if you would like to see the interior.

Is there a Jewish cemetery in Reading? No. Until around 1960 burials took place in London, and since then members of the community have been buried at the United Synagogue cemetery in Bushey.

Who is connected with Reading's Jewish history? Besides Sir Francis Goldsmid, the town is linked by name to Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, the Liberal politician and judge.

Where is it? In Reading, Berkshire, at roughly 51.454, -0.984, a short distance from the town centre.

How old is the community? Traces of Jewish residents go back to the 1840s, a community was established in 1886, and the present building has served it since 1900, so it is well over a century of continuous Jewish worship on one site.