The great majority of English Jews are Ashkenazim, whose ancestors came over from Germany (Ashkenaz), Holland, and Poland. The pricipal synagogues belonging to the Askenazim were incorporated into the United Synagogue by Act of Parliamnet, dated 14th July 1870. The synagogues at present comprised in the Union are:-

• The Great Synagogue - St James's Place, Aldgate. E. London
• Hambro' Synagogue - Church Row, Fenchurch Street, E.C. London
• New Synagogue - Great St Helen's, E.C. London
• Bayswater Synagogue - Chichester Place, Harrow Road, W. London
• Central Synagogue - Great Portland Street, W. London
• Borough Synagogue - Vowler Street, Walworth Road, S.E. London
• North London Synagogue - John Street West, Thornhill Road, Barnsbury, N. London
• East London Synagogue - Rectory Square, Stepney Green, E. London
• St John's Wood Synagogue - Abbey Road, St John's Wood, N.W. London
• New West End Synagogue - St Petersburg Place, Bayswater, W. London
• Dalston Synagogue - Poet's Road, Canonbury, N. London

The following synagogues, though under the spiritual supervision of the Chief Rabbi are not constituents of the United Synagogue:

• Western Synagogue - St Alban's Place, S.W. London
• Maiden Lane Synagogue - Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, W.C. London

Besides the above, there are over fifty minor synagogues, which have recently been united.

The Sephardim Community includes Jews whose ancestors originally came from Spain and Portugal. The Sephardim differ from the Ashkenazim in the pronunciation of Hebrew and in some points of liturgy. Their place of worship is in Bevis Marks, with a branch synagogue in Upper Bryanston Street, W. London.

In addition to these places of worship, there is the West London Synagogue of British Jews, in Upper Berkeley Street, W. London., the members of which differ from the before-mentioned congregations in some matters of ritual.

These synagogues furnish seating accomodation for about 15,000 adults.

Sources: Dickens's Dictionary of London 1888 ~ Old House Books ISBN 1-873590-04-0