The United Synagogue (US) is a union of British Orthodox Jewish synagogues, representing the central Orthodox movement in Judaism. With 62 congregations, comprising 40,000 members, it is the largest synagogue body in Europe. The spiritual leader of the union is the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth – a title that bears some formal recognition by the Crown, even though his rabbinical authority is recognised by only slightly more than half of British Jews.
Reform Judaism, formally the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and known as Reform Synagogues of Great Britain until 2005, is one of the two World Union for Progressive Judaism–affiliated denominations in the United Kingdom. Reform is relatively traditional in comparison with its smaller counterpart, Liberal Judaism, though it does not regard Jewish law as binding. As of 2010, it was the second-largest Jewish religious group in the United Kingdom, with 19.4% of synagogue-member households. On 17 April 2023, Reform Judaism and Liberal Judaism announced their intention to merge as one single unified progressive Jewish movement. The new movement, which may be called Progressive Judaism, will represent about 30% of British Jewry who are affiliated to synagogues.
The West London Synagogue of British Jews, abbreviated WLS, is a synagogue and congregation near Marble Arch in central London. It was established on 15 April 1840. The current synagogue building in Upper Berkeley Street, dedicated in 1870, is Grade II listed. It is one of the oldest synagogues in the United Kingdom and it was the oldest house of prayer affiliated with the Movement for Reform Judaism, before its affiliation lapsed in February 2023.
The Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation is a Reform Judaism congregation in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.
Bradford Synagogue is a synagogue at 7 Bowland Street in Bradford, West Yorkshire, affiliated with the Movement for Reform Judaism. It adopted its present name in 2018. The synagogue is still used for Shabbat and major festivals although the community is small and has been in decline for some years. Friday night dinners are held as well as a communal seder for Passover.
Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue is a synagogue in Hove, Sussex, England. It has 500 adult members.
Newcastle Reform Synagogue, also known by its Hebrew name Ner Tamid, is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. It is located in Gosforth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Sinai Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation on Roman Avenue in Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1944 and is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism.
Barbara Marcy Borts is an American-born Movement for Reform Judaism rabbi. She was one of the first women in Europe to be ordained as a rabbi and the first woman to have her own pulpit in a UK Reform Judaism synagogue.
North West Surrey Synagogue is a Reform Jewish community whose synagogue is on Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, Surrey, England. The community, which now consists of 300 families, was founded in 1956 and is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism.
Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue, a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Judaism congregation at 118 Stonegrove, Edgware in the London Borough of Barnet. It was formed in 2017 as a result of the merger between the Edgware & District Reform Synagogue (EDRS) and the Hendon Reform Synagogue (HRS) communities. EDRS originated in 1934 as "Edgware and District Progressive Jewish Fellowship" and in February 1935 became “Edgware and District Reform Synagogue”. HRS was founded in 1949 and its first building, in 1955, was in Danescroft Avenue. The two communities merged in 2017, and the merged community is located on the site of the former EDRS. It is now the largest synagogue in Europe; its membership includes 2500 families.
Thanet & District Reform Synagogue, which is associated with the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Judaism congregation at 293A Margate Road in Ramsgate in Thanet, Kent, England. Founded in 1985, it is also known as Etz Chaim, a name it shares with its journal.
Liverpool Reform Synagogue is a Reform Jewish synagogue in the Wavertree district of Liverpool, England.
Harlow Jewish Community, a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Jewish congregation whose synagogue is at Harberts Road, Harlow, in Essex, England. The congregation dates from 1952. Irit Shillor has been its Rabbi since 2005.
Totnes Reform Jewish Group, a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Jewish congregation in Totnes, Devon, England. The congregation, which is also known as Totnes Jewish Community, dates from 2001.
Southport & District Reform Synagogue, also known as Sha'arei Shalom, is a Reform Jewish congregation at the corner of Princes Street and Portland Street, Southport, in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England. The congregation was formed in 1948 as Southport New Synagogue and has been associated with the Movement for Reform Judaism since 1949. It celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2018.
Sha'arei Shalom, also known as North Manchester Reform Congregation, is a Reform Jewish congregation formed in 1977 and affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism. Since 1980 it has met at Elms Street, Whitefield, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England.
Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community, a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, is a Reform Jewish congregation at 434 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Pinner in the London Borough of Harrow. It was founded in March 1987.
Seven Hills Shul, originally established as Sheffield & District Reform Jewish Congregation, is a Reform Jewish community in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It was founded in 1989 and is affiliated to the Movement for Reform Judaism. The congregation holds services at a local community centre and also meets in members' houses.
