Hatch End Masorti Synagogue is located in Hatch End, but we welcome members from a wide geographic area which spans Harrow, Pinner, Bushey, Harrow Weald, Stanmore and Northwood.

Our community is caring and inclusive; each individual is valued whatever their level of Jewish knowledge or observance. We are proud of our relaxed and warm atmosphere.

Hatch End Masorti Synagogue, also known as HEMS, was founded in 1998 by a small group of families, and holds its services in shared premises in Grimsdyke Road.

We are part of the British Masorti movement, the fastest growing synagogue grouping in Britain today. Masorti is the Hebrew word for tradition and Masorti Judaism is traditional yet practised in a spirit of open-minded enquiry and tolerance. In general you will notice very little difference between a service in our synagogue and that in any other traditional synagogue.

Masorti recognises that Jewish law permits a number of practices that are not carried out in many orthodox synagogues. For example, at HEMS women are counted as part of the minyan and men and women are seated together. We welcome children of all ages and make no distinction between girls and boys either in what is taught or what they undertake for their bar or bat mitzvah. Each bar or bat mizvah has one to one lessons with one of our experienced tutors.

Services on the High Holy Days are conducted by our Rabbi who also leads some of the Shabbat services. The other Shabbat services are led by trained members of the community. We hold services for all the major festivals. In particular, we enjoy lively communal Pesach Seders, Purim, Chanukah and Simchat Torah parties. We also hold regular youth services.

Our popular Friday night services are a special time for the community to get together to enjoy each others company and to share in prayer. Services take place monthly at members’ homes and are followed by a delicious informal communal supper.

The Synagogue has a simple fee structure, with rates for families, couples and singles. Fees include burial. For more information on these rates, including attractive introductory rates for new members, contact the .

Our Rabbi, David Soetendorp, was born in Amsterdam in July 1945. In 1965 he came to study in England, prior to entering Leo Baeck College in 1966. He married Ruth in 1971,and received Rabbinic Semicha in 1972. This was shortly after moving to Bournemouth to become the Rabbi of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue. Rabbi Soetendorp continued in this post until he retired in 2005. In January 2007 Rabbi Soetendorp was appointed as the Rabbi of Hatch End Masorti Synagogue covering the areas of Hatch End, Harrow, Pinner, Bushey, Harrow Weald, Stanmore & Northwood.

At HEMS we take education seriously [which doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!]. We help our young members develop a knowledge and understanding of Judaism and strengthen their competencies in synagogue skills. Under the leadership of a highly experienced head teacher, our Cheder meets every Sunday morning for children in school years 1 – 4, where Hebrew reading skills are taught alongside aspects of Jewish practice and knowledge. Children in school years 5 – 6 attend Cheder at Edgware Masorti.

At the secondary level, Years 7-10, HEMS children are able to participate in the Masorti Secondary programmes at GESHER which leads to GCSE's in Jewish Studies and Ivrit (where appropriate). Subsequently, Masorti led youth training programmes enable our young people to learn to lead groups of children in services and on summer camps. In the sixth form, Masorti "SOX" organises social events and programmes.

At HEMS, we organise a number of vibrant social activities for young people via the Masorti youth group NOAM.

HEMS is committed to providing learning opportunities for all its members. From sessions that provide an insight into understanding the Torah, to learning more about Masorti or participating in a lively discussion about the week’s sedra, our aim is to stimulate learning and debate in an informal and inclusive way.

Please take a look around our website to find out more about our Synagogue and our community. We would be delighted to answer any questions that you may have. Please see our Contacts page for details of how to get in touch.