BySimon Rocker, Simon Rocker
South Hampstead Synagogue is set to hold Shabbat services at the JW3 centre in Swiss Cottage as a temporary venue when its rebuilding project starts in spring.
The United Synagogue congregation had planned to use the Marriott Hotel Regent's Park but the venue will be unavailable for some months because of its own refurbishment.
South Hampstead chairman David Turner said it intended to use JW3 for a few months from May.
"I can't thank them enough for helping us out," he said. "Otherwise, there would be 900 homeless families."
But the synagogue may also run a smaller minyan close to its Chalk Farm base for those who would find the walk to JW3 too far.
JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson said that the arrangement was being finalised: "We have an agreement in principle, and I don't see any stumbling blocks."
After the hotel became unavailable, South Hampstead was left "in a very difficult position, especially with four bnei mitzvot and Shavuot taking place during that period," said Mr Simonson.
"There are very few options - if any - for them to secure a venue local enough for their community to walk to, that can be open on Shabbat, give them exclusive use and be Shabbat compliant."
JW3, he added, would "not have anything to do with the running of the services. We are merely hiring space for the synagogue to operate during their time of desperate need. I am really pleased that, as their local Jewish community centre, we are able to help."