Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue (HGSS), affectionately known as Norrice Lea, is a thriving modern orthodox community with just under 1300 member households, (with over 1100 children under the age of 21). The Community was founded in 1934 and is a flagship of the United Synagogue, the largest synagogue body in the United Kingdom.

The community thrives under the spiritual direction of Rabbi Marc and Lisa Levene and Rabbi and Jodi Herszaft, who with their boundless enthusiasm promote a contemporary, inclusive and spirited model of Jewish observance where each individual is valued and their unique contribution recognised.

Chazan Avromi Freilich’s wonderful voice enhances our services (without extending their length), and he inspires our chesed outreach.

They in turn are assisted by Head of Community Services Sharon Drucker, Rabbi’s PA Abi Bloom, Community Events Coordinator Gayle Kravitz, Head of Operations Mark Gould and our Finance Manager Harris Turgel, who make up a professional team of quality and depth.

We offer a broad range of programmes both educational and social. Whether you want to learn to read Hebrew or are looking for textual based learning, like to come along to a class or prefer to learn on line, whether you are free during the day or in the evening, weekdays or weekends we are sure you will find something in our programme to suit you.

Our social programme includes musical classes for babies to afternoon teas for seniors, table tennis to cookery classes. Please look at our events calendar to see just how much is on offer.

For the younger members of the community HGSS is proud to provide the very highest standards of education at its primary school, Kerem School, which is housed in the synagogue complex. HGSS is also home to the one of the largest Hebrew Classes, Aleph Centre, in London, and offers an impressive range of activities for under 18’s as well as a host of other educational, social and welfare activities.

We strive to be there for our members whenever they need us. We have an excellent support network, known as Nefesh Network staffed purely by volunteers who are able to organise lifts to medical appointments, visits to those who are housebound or in hospital, arrange hospitality on Shabbat, help with shopping and generally being in touch with those who need support.

The Synagogue is situated in Hampstead Garden Suburb whose environs include Hampstead, Highgate, West Hampstead and St John’s Wood. London’s West End is also just a short car journey away. There are also a host of local attractions including the stately home of Kenwood and two of London’s finest open spaces, Hampstead Heath and Highgate Woods.

The area also benefits from a local kosher restaurant, kosher bakery, kosher convenient store and butchers.

Additionally Golders Green, renowned as the centre of Jewish Life in England is just 10 minutes away.