The United Synagogue

Jewish Heritage Marked On Former Site Of West Ham United Synagogue

PRESS RELEASE

London,
4th December 2009


JEWISH HERITAGE MARKED ON FORMER SITE OF WEST HAM UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Representatives from the United Synagogue joined with members of the greater West Ham community yesterday to commemorate 128 years of Jewish history at the former site of the West Ham United Synagogue.

The synagogue, which was sold to the East Thames Housing Association in 2004, has now been developed into an eco-friendly housing estate with the new owners keen to ensure the site's Jewish heritage is respectfully commemorated. East Thames has incorporated the original foundation stone of West Ham's Youth Synagogue into the building development, as well as the unique Star of David, which was housed in the main Synagogue.

The commemorative event, which also marked the completion of the new housing scheme, was attended by Stephen Rajbenbach, Consultant Head of Property at the US, Elkan Levy, former US President and now US Minister for Small Communities as well as Councillor Christine Bowden, Deputy Mayor of Newham, and Trevor Burns, East Thames Group Assistant Director of Development.

US Chief Executive, Jeremy Jacobs, comments that: "We are immensely grateful to East Thames Housing Association for wishing to preserve the rich Jewish heritage of the West Ham community. The site will serve as a wonderful testament to the once thriving Jewish community and its invaluable contribution to the broader area."

Rabbi E Levine of the US's Kashrut Department and the last Rabbi to hold office at the synagogue adds: "It is comforting to know that the memory of the Jewish Community will live on in this part of London. I have fond recollections of my time there and of the many wonderful members who attended the shul."

-End-

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