U.K. gives London Synagogue same national status as Stonehenge

[Behind the Aegis]

Source: Ha'aretz

Britain declared the New West End Synagogue in London a national monument on Tuesday, putting it in the same category as Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge.

The decision means the British government will henceforth be responsible for the synagogue's upkeep, and the Jewish community can request state funding for any necessary renovations.

Only one other synagogue has been declared a British national monument - Bevis Marks in East London, the country's first synagogue, which was built in 1701. New West End was built in 1879.

"We're happy and excited," said the synagogue's rabbi, Geoffrey Shisler. "Above all, the decision proves that the British government recognizes the Jewish contribution to the kingdom's history."


Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/891668.html

[Gloria]

1. I visited it many years ago on a London Walk...It was interesting

as was the entire East End. It was so long ago that the toilet paper at Liverpool Station read was like parchment and had a government stamp on it!!!

[razors edge]

2. Good for the UK.

History is important to preserve. It is the foundation we build upon.

[TankLV]

3. That's good news...

[provis99]

4. the last line of the attached news article is a little ironic

As I understand it, the site is important because of its status and architectural standing as a representative of English Jewish culture; yet the building was designed by a Scot?

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The article talks about Britain

The only mention of 'English' is in the name 'English Heritage' - the government organisation that looks after buildings like this in England.

Architects tend to range further afield that the city they were born in. At the time the synagogue was built, it was common to call Scotland "North Britain". It's not surprising to find a Scot designing buildings in London.

[dipsydoodle]

6. The most famous presumably

being Robert Adam.

For the benefit of our cousins : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Adam