Historical Background
Rabbi Solomon Starrels, Reverends Harold Reinhart and Vivian Simmons, together with Mr and Mrs Ralph Nordon, Mr E.L. Mendel, and with Gordon and Ernest Levy met at 17 Templars Avenue NW11 on 24th May 1933 formally to proclaim the foundation of the congregation
But their first problem was what to call it– They considered the Hampstead Reform Congregation
The First Services: Friday evening 16th June 1933 at 2 Meadway
, the home of Mr & Mrs H Silbert.
These were led by Rev Harold Reinhart with choristers from West London – around 50 people attended.
From 1933-36 services were held in 
Hawthorn Hall in Bridge Lane with High Holydays in the Free Church Hall In Hampstead Garden Suburb.
By 1934 there were 190 members. The Council included men and women.
First Chairman: Alfred King Hamilton - a respected member of West London Synagogue, followed by Mr J A Wolfe
First Rabbi: Solomon E Starrels
– who had served congregations in New Orleans and Lincoln, Nebraska in the USA and the West Central Liberal Congregation in London.
He insisted on "one membership fee for all, irrespective of income, with no favours for the rich, and with no seats reserved – not even for wardens."
Rabbi Starrels secretary was Rena Salinger – on 12s 6d per week!
250 people had attended the 1934 High Holydays
Building a synagogue for the North Western Reform Congregation - 1936
Plans were approved for this at a meeting at the Hawthorn Hall in March 1935. But in July by four votes to three that if the funds for the Synagogue were not raised the congregation should be wound up!
But soon after, by 7 votes to three, they decided to continue.
This site at the end of Aylith Gardens was offered to them by West London Synagogue – its redesignation from burial ground required an Act of Parliament.
Laying the foundation stone 12th January 1936 – Mr Philip Waley, President of West London
The Synagogue consecrated by Revs Reinhart, Vivian Simmons and Rabbi Starrels on July 12th 1936 / 2nd Tammuz 5696
Its activities now included Religion School classes and a Guide and Brownie pack. The Scouts began in 1938.
By 1936 Alyth’s membership was 303, it was now represented at the Board of Deputies.
The Pre War years
1938 R
ev Maurice Perlzweig joins Alyth from the Liberal Jewish Synagogue– founding the “Jewish Emergency Committee for Refugees, Boroughs of Finchley and Hendon ‘ with six neighbouring Synagogues.
Members leaving the service on 19th November 1938 when a charred Sefer Torah from Germany was brought to Alyth.
English classes for refugees – attended by 300 by summer 1939. Were founded by Mrs M Carmel and Mrs J L Freedman
Alyth in War – time
When Rev Perlzweig left in 1942, Rev Vivan Simmons became Alyth’s minister. Rabbi Werner van der Zyl, having guest preached at Alyth in 1941 was inducted as Alyth’s Rabbi on 11th July 1943 bringing the music of the German Liberal tradition to Alyth and developing the service
Aylth Synagogue immediately after the War
