A Brief History of
The Abbeyfield Camden (Jewish) Society

Abbeyfield Camden (Jewish) Society was incorporated as a charitable company limited by guarantee in 1974 by a group of friends from the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John's Wood, who wanted to establish a Progressive Jewish home for the elderly - Peggy Lang House. It was also considered desirable that the new charity should join an umbrella organisation, which could provide it with additional advice and support if required. Consequently, the Society affiliated itself to the Abbeyfield Society.

In 1980 another group of individuals, this time from Wembley and District Liberal Synagogue, applied to join the Society, as they had been offered the lease of premises in Orchard Drive, Edgware, which subsequently became Lily Montagu House.

In 2002, the Society's most recent home, Belmont Lodge, opened in Belmont Road, Bushey. The founding committee was formed by representatives from a number of synagogues: Hertsmere Progressive, Radlett and Bushey Reform, Northwood and Pinner Liberal, Kol Hai Hatch End Jewish Community (Reform) and Middlesex New Synagogue (Reform). The St Albans Masorti Congregation also asked to be kept informed of progress.

In 2005, the Society had to close Peggy Lang House, as its facilities were no longer adequate to meet modern requirements, as is the case with Lily Montagu House. However, the Society is currently exploring the possibility of developing a new home in the future.

Today, the Society maintains links with all the synagogues listed above, and also has contact with Finchley Reform Synagogue, North Western Reform Synagogue (Alyth) and Elstree Liberal Synagogue.