London synagogue 'attacked with fireworks' by hooded youths during Jewish New Year

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A family with young children had walked past the historic building just moments before two 'rocket fireworks' were launched

A London synagogue was allegedly attacked with fireworks by a group of hooded youths during celebrations marking the Jewish New Year.

Five young people are said to have targeted Lauderdale Road Synagogue in Maida Vale on Sunday afternoon, the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

Two "rocket fireworks" were launched towards the Grade II-listed building, producing smoke and loud bangs before the group fled.

However, a family with small children had reportedly walked past the building just moments earlier after attending a nearby Rosh Hashanah lunch.

CCTV footage from outside the synagogue is understood to show five dark-haired youths wearing hoodies approaching the building.

One allegedly acted as a lookout while two others threw objects towards the synagogue before all five fled.

The incident was immediately reported to the Metropolitan Police and the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism and provides security to Britain's Jewish community.

The S&P Sephardi Community, which manages the synagogue, subsequently informed worshippers about what had happened.

It said: "Two rocket fireworks were let off towards the synagogue by a group of young people. The building was empty at the time, no one was hurt, and there was no damage to report beyond the incident itself."

The community urged worshippers not to be deterred from attending the synagogue.

It added: "There is no reason to change your plans to attend the synagogue, and we want you to feel confident coming to our buildings as usual."

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Rabbi Amir Ellituv, a senior rabbi at the synagogue, said Jewish families must be able to celebrate Rosh Hashanah "safely, openly and without fear."

He said: "Our synagogue is a place of prayer, community and celebration, and no one should feel intimidated or afraid when coming to worship."

Rabbi Ellituv added: "At a time of heightened concern within the Jewish community, it is more important than ever that people feel confident gathering together, safe in the knowledge that the police, Government and wider authorities will stand with us and protect our right to practise our faith freely.

"We will not allow incidents like this to deter us from coming together as a community."

A CST spokesman said: "CST attended the scene and is in contact with the synagogue, and is working closely with the police to establish the full circumstances."

"We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that may assist the investigation, to contact the police and CST."

CST recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents nationwide during the first six months of 2026, a 21 per cent increase on the same period last year.

It was the second-highest January-to-June total ever recorded by the organisation, with 96 incidents targeting synagogues, their congregants or staff.