Alyth – officially North Western Reform Synagogue – was born in 1933 when local families came together to ‘formally proclaim the foundation of a congregation’.

Even as it has grown to be one of the largest communities in the UK, Alyth has continued to reflect their ideal of a local shul.  Since the first service took place on 16 June 1933 at 2 Meadway in Hampstead Garden Suburb, prayer has been at the community’s heart.  Since 1936, the community has been based in Alyth Gardens, on land carved out from the West London Synagogue’s Hoop Lane cemetery.

In the 80 years of Alyth’s life, the community has been served by a series of dedicated rabbis, including Rabbi Dr Werner van der Zyl, Rabbi Dow Marmur and Rabbi Charles Emanuel.  It is now led by our unique and inspiring clergy team.

Return to this page for a fuller history of Alyth and information on our past rabbis and presidents, which will be added here soon.