Westminster Synagogue

Step inside Kent House, a grand Victorian townhouse, and you’ll find yourself in a place where history and faith intertwine. This is Westminster Synagogue, an independent Progressive Jewish congregation that calls this beautiful building home. Founded in 1957 by Rabbi Harold Reinhart, the synagogue emerged from a split within the West London Synagogue. 80 former members joined Rabbi Reinhart, seeking a more progressive approach to Judaism. Initially, services took place at Caxton Hall, but in 1960, the congregation found its permanent home in Kent House. This beautiful residence, originally built for Lady Ashburton, offered the perfect space for the growing community. Today, Westminster Synagogue thrives as a welcoming hub of Jewish life, embracing a progressive approach while maintaining its traditional roots. Its members come from diverse backgrounds, celebrating their shared heritage and faith in a spirit of inclusivity. But beyond its vibrant community, Westminster Synagogue holds treasures of a different kind. On the third floor of Kent House, you’ll stumble upon the Czech Memorial Scrolls Centre, a testament to Jewish history and resilience. This museum houses a collection of Torah scrolls saved from the Holocaust, originally belonging to Jewish communities in Bohemia and Moravia. These scrolls arrived in 1964, finding a safe haven within Westminster Synagogue, and a small museum was established in 1988 to showcase their story. The scrolls are a poignant reminder of the history of European Jewry and a powerful symbol of the enduring spirit of Judaism.