Testimonial from the Council of the United Synagogue
The roots of the United Synagogue can be traced back to 1835. This year saw the signing of the treaty between the Hambro', Great and New synagogues which centralised the distribution of aid to the poor affiliated to all three synagogues. The proposer of the treaty was Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836). Nathan served as warden of the Great Synagogue in 1818 along with his brother-in-law Solomon Cohen. He first proposed the idea in 1823 and hosted negotiations at New Court in 1824.
The first President of the United Synagogue on its establishment in 1870 was Anthony de Rothschild (1810-1876), Nathan's son. He remained President until his death in 1876. The presidency was then held by successive generations of the family: Nathaniel 'Natty', 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915) from 1876-1915, Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917) from 1915-1917, and Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882-1942) from 1917-1942.
Testimonial from the Board of Management of the Great Synagogue
The Great Synagogue of London was, for centuries, the centre of Ashkenazi Jewish life in London. The earliest Ashkenazi synagogue constructed in London after the return of Jews to England in the 17th century was built about 1690 at Duke's Place, north of Aldgate. The congregation grew, and in 1722 a new building was erected with the cost of £2000 being born by businessman and philanthropist, Moses Hart. The building was consecrated on Rosh Hashana (September 18, 1722). An enlarged building, designed by George Dance the Elder, was consecrated on August 29, 1766.
Between 1788 and 1790, the third synagogue was built on the site. Unusually for the times, the principal donor was a woman, Judith Hart Levy, a daughter of Moses Hart, who subscribed £4000. The architect was James Spiller. The building was in the classical style identified with John Adam. Nathaniel, 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915) was elected Warden of the Great Synagogue in May 1872. The Great Synagogue was destroyed in the London Blitz on May 10, 1941.
