Herbert Bentwich

Herbert Bentwich was the inspiration behind the founding of The Hampstead Synagogue.

A lawyer living in St. John's Wood, he objected to the changes which were being made to the service at his Synagogue, which he described as "increasing Anglican propriety".

In September 1889 he called a meeting at West Hampstead Town Hall at which he proposed the building of a new Synagogue in West Hampstead.

He was elected as the Synagogues first Vice President. He had envisioned that it would revive "Jewish influences" at the expense to "external influences". However, many of the other founding members did not want a service as orthodox as he did, and he became disappointed that the new Synagogue did not increase the level of religiousness within the community.

After two years as a warden, he was not re-elected.

He continued to attend the service, but sat separately from the congregation in his own pew. When this was removed to make way for additional seating, he ceased his membership of the Synagogue.

From 1915, Bentwich resided at his country home in Kent with its own Synagogue.

A biography of Herbert Bentwich entitled "Herbert Bentwich: The Pilgrim Father" was written by Norman and Margery Bentwich.