North London Neighborhood, Once in Decline, Celebrates a Bright Young Future

Islington Council and Chabad-Lubavitch of Islington marked the unveiling last week of the “Islington People’s Plaque” on the site of the former North London Synagogue on Lofting Road, which was built in 1868 and demolished in 1958. But the day wound up just as focused on the future as it did on the past.

The June 4 event attracted nearly 100 people, including former members of the synagogue; Judith Hassan OBE, the great-niece of the synagogue’s first rabbi, Morris Josef; the last two couples who married there; the synagogue warden; and attendees of the cheder (Jewish school). Having left the area—a mainly residential district of Greater London, England—many of them spoke about the importance of traveling back to celebrate not just the the past, but the present and future of Islington, where Jewish life is being rejuvenated with the help of of Rabbi Mendy and Hadasa Korer, co-directors of Chabad of Islington, who moved there in 2011.

“We were members of the shul until it closed in the late 1950s, and my bar mitzvah was the penultimate one celebrated there,” said Johnny Hoffman. “Also, my brother’s wedding was the last wedding there. My family has very happy memories from those years.”

Today, “there are probably around 5,000 Jewish people living in Islington,” according to Rabbi Korer. “Our Chabad center is the only Jewish organization in the area. Most of the Jews here are young people who are looking for Jewish identity. It’s a very diverse place that has a very ‘living in London’ feel.”

Since their arrival, the Korers have hosted many communal events that have attracted a growing number of people, who are finding a place for themselves in the heterogeneous and welcoming community.

Councilor James Murray offered opening words about the history of the synagogue and the need for its commemoration; currently, a bloc of apartments sits on the site. Hassan shared the story of her great-uncle and his time at the synagogue; she was accompanied by her sister.

Joining in the celebration were Jeremy Corbyn MP; Emily Thornberry MP; Leader of the Islington Council Richard Watts and other council members; President of United Synagogue Stephen Pack; and representatives of the Islington Museum.

“I was really delighted, and moved, to see so many old congregants getting together again on what was clearly a really enjoyable and important occasion for them,” said the rabbi. “We would love to meet anyone who used to go to the synagogue—and their relatives—to put together a full story of its past.”

‘A Permanent Marker’

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Islington had one of the largest Jewish populations in England. In 1868, the North London Synagogue was built on Lofting Road (formerly John Street) to accommodate the growing Jewish community of North London. It was a relatively affluent congregation; the members were able to raise £16,000 themselves to pay off a loan on the building.

The synagogue served for decades as a religious and cultural center, attracting newly prosperous Jews who were moving up from the poverty-stricken East End in the mid-19th century. The community flourished and went on to commission the richly appointed synagogue with marble; plaster molded into the shape of plants; coffered ceilings; and stained-glass windows.

As the years passed, the Jewish community eventually dwindled. Following World War II, the synagogue, which had sustained significant damage from German bombings, ceased to function, with its former members having moved farther west to new suburbs such as Hampstead and Golders Green.

The history of the synagogue was written by its last rabbi, Nathan Bergerman.

In 2014, Chabad-Lubavitch of Islington applied for recognition of the North London Synagogue by placing a plaque on the current building on Lofting Road.

After an online voting contest open to the general public, the Borough of Islington announced that the synagogue won the second of three spots in a heated race for the coveted “Islington People’s Plaque.” The green-and-white circular sign commemorates Islington’s first significant migrant community, its synagogue that stood for 90 years and the congregation that attended during that time.

“We moved to Islington four years ago with a plan to rebuild the Jewish community,” stated Korer. “We appreciate all the votes we received last year to have the plaque put up and are very proud to set up a permanent marker of Islington’s rich Jewish history.”