Hatch End Masorti Synagogue was founded in 1998 by a small group of families, and holds its services in shared premises in Grimsdyke Road. Located in Hatch End, we welcome members from a wide geographic area including Harrow, Pinner, Stanmore and Northwood.

Over the years we have built a community that is caring and inclusive, that values each individual, whatever their level of Jewish knowledge or observance. We are proud of our relaxed and warm atmosphere. .

We aim to provide a unique blend of warmth, friendship and support to members and their families, with a focus on inclusion and participation both in services and in governance. In addition we seek to work professionally in order to deliver all aspects of community life, and to be an active constituent part of the Masorti movement (see below), promoting Masorti aims and philosophy.

We are part of the Masorti movement

The British Masorti movement is the fastest growing synagogue grouping in Britain today. It is closely allied with the Masorti movement in Israel, the USA and elsewhere in the world. The Assembly of Masorti Synagogues (AMS) provides guidance and support to the movement at home and abroad. Taking the teachings of Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs z"l as its guide, the Masorti community provides a wide range of religious, educational, youth and social activities to its members.

Masorti is the Hebrew word for tradition and Masorti Judaism has been defined as “enlightened committed Judaism for today’s person in today’s world”. Masorti is traditional Judaism practised in a spirit of open-minded enquiry and tolerance. (See page on Masorti Judaism)

Our services are traditionally observant. We follow the standard traditional prayer book and we read the Torah according to the annual cycle. 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. At HEMS, women are counted as part of the minyan and enjoy an active role within the service. Men and women are seated together and we welcome children of all ages. You will find a high degree of decorum at our services.

We celebrate Shabbat and festivals throughout the Jewish year. 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. HEMS members are not required to either lead services or to be called to perform a mitzvah. Indeed, everyone is encouraged to participate at a level of their choice.

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

The morning service begins at 9:30am each week, and is followed by a Kiddush for everyone. We have monthly Se'udot in members' homes on Shabbat afternoons with a lively and thought provoking discussion on a Jewish topic, led by our Rabbi, and followed by Havdalah. Festival Services

See page on “Education, children and young people”

See page on “Jewish Education”

The synagogue is a member of the Jewish Joint Burial Society, and all of our members are covered by its burial scheme. For more information contact the shul office

At HEMS we try to ensure that help and support is provided to our members at times of need and personal crisis and this is undertaken by our Rabbi together, where appropriate, with selected members of the community.

Our dynamic fund raising group meets regularly to arrange supper quizzes, wine tasting evenings, garden parties and other events. Other, non fund raising activities are held periodically including the famous summer barbeque. These are often arranged to coincide with events in the Jewish calendar.

How do we find out about what’s going on?

We believe it is vitally important to keep in close touch with our members so that you know what’s going on. We send out a weekly bulletin via an email which also provides a reminder to those on rotas. Emails are also sent out and letters and members also receive a copy of our award winning periodical, HEMS Magazine. Although we are a traditional community the magazine is definitely not a traditional shul mag. What does membership cost? 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 .