FLORENCE by Marilyn Rowland

On a recent visit to Florence, Jethro and I spent a glorious afternoon visiting the famous synagogue in what still appears to be a small but thriving Jewish quarter.

In 1868 David Levi, President of the Hebrew University, bequeathed his possessions for the building of this new synagogue. On first approaching it you are struck by the sight of the huge oxidised dome and you can’t help noticing the similarity to a mosque.

This is because the Sephardis who built it based it on the Moorish style, with a dome flanked by towers. The interior of the synagogue is stunning and walking around is awe-inspiring. The ladies’ galleries are picked out by sun streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows. 

From September 1943, entire Jewish families were deported from Florence, including children and residents of the Jewish Home for the Aged. Almost all of them - over four hundred in number -perished in Auschwitz. The doors of the holy Ark still bear marks inflicted by Fascist bayonets. During the Nazi occupation the synagogue was used as a garage, and it was also mined by the retreating Germans. Outside there is a garden filled with exotic plants and a Sukkah was there too - a very peaceful and moving place. The names of the 248 Jews of Florence who were murdered by the Nazis are memorialised in the garden, where a smaller plaque lists Jews who died fighting for Italy during the First World War. 

The first floor museum is fascinating, with some sections illustrating the history of the Florentine Jews, including during World War Two, and also displaying some very impressive – and very old - religious and ceremonial objects from brit gowns to yads. Next door to the synagogue is a lively Kosher restaurant – we tried to eat there but it was bursting at the seams!

By Marilyn Rowland

LJ Quiz

Just to say thank you so much for a superbly organised quiz yesterday. Southgate was so welcoming, the food was delicious, the hall so well laid out and of course the quiz itself was brilliant! There was such a good atmosphere and it was obvious that it was a great success. Please thank the whole team for me and indeed on behalf of LJ. I did go into the kitchen to say ‘thank you’ personally to all the catering volunteers but there was no one there. It’s been a real pleasure working with you and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

Warmest regards, Monique 

The Barn Dance - 4th November

I am writing this report following the above event, which I am pleased to say was a great success! We had just under 50 people come along for an evening of fun, food and of course lots of dancing. Our caller was very enthusiastic and had a great sense of humour! We learnt various dance sequences and it was great fun trying to get all the sequences right and our caller kept this going throughout the evening. Halfway through the evening, we held a raffle with many prizes won. The net amount raised was £328.00, which will be going into the Synagogue Roof Fund. I would like to thank everybody who came along to support the event and also to those who gave up their time to come and help set up on the day. I have already been asked when we will hold another Barn Dance, so watch this space! 

SAVE THE DATE: SPS 75th ANNIVERSARY QUIZ – 28.4.18 

Amanda Lesley – Fundraising Group



Over 50 people enjoyed a barn dance held in the Schindler Hall. We swung our partners and “dozy do’ed” the evening away, and as many of us are of a certain age we were very glad to have the many two-minute breaks in between the dances. Actually, I don’t think my knees will recover till next year! We enjoyed plenty to eat and drink and a great raffle with many items donated by local shops all collected by Amanda and her team. Thank you ladies of the fundraising commitiee, a great time was had by one and all. Here’s to the next one and SPS members make sure you are there.

Jane Greenfield 

Emeritus Rabbi Harry Jacobi's 92nd Birthday

92 years young! I felt very privileged to be invited to celebrate Rabbi Harry’s birthday with him together with some close friends at Finchley Progressive Synagogue. We were treated to a wonderful study session given by both rabbis Harry and Margaret about Berashit followed by a sumptuous lunch and birthday cake. May you remain in good health and celebrate many more Harry. 

Jane Greenfield 



In the year 2007 the Synagogue’s competent administrator Jeannine Cohen leB us and the feeling was she would be very hard to replace. After interviewing a number of candidates, Lynda Cowper as she was called in those days was far and away the best, and was given the job. In November this year Lynda Cannon, as she is now called, will have served the community for ten years. In that time she has proved to be every bit as good as Jeanine. Lynda is the friendly, capable, first port of call for members/people who contact the office. Over the years she has integrated well with the community and has served on the Fundraising committee, as well as being on the Kiddush rota. She also has the knack of being a whiz at finding cheaper deals from utility companies, and negotiating insurance policy renewals, saving the synagogue a considerable amount of money. Her only flaw is that she still supports the North London red football team; however we forgive her for that idiosyncrasy. On behalf of the community, I would like to thank Lynda for her hard work and commitment to SPS. Long may that association continue. 

Robert Dulin