Reflecting on the moment the fires erupted on Monday morning, Hoff said he and other congregants rushed to the synagogue in case they needed to rescue the Torah scrolls, the most important religious items inside a synagogue.
He believed it was “a miracle” the inside of the place of worship did not suffer more damage, adding that the synagogue reopened for prayer on Tuesday.
As the four replacement vehicles were delivered to Golders Green, the London Ambulance Service said it stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Hatzola.
Run by volunteers, Hatzola has served the north London community of Golders Green, which has a large Jewish population, since 1979. There are dozens of synagogues throughout the area and, according to the London Data Store, external, 49% of residents in the Golders Green ward identify as Jewish.
Hatzola, the Hebrew word for save or rescue, is a large non-profit, Jewish-led organisation that provides a free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals by volunteer medics.
As well as north London, it also operates in Manchester, Gateshead, Canvey Island in Essex, and Hertfordshire, working in conjunction with local emergency services for the wider community, regardless of faith.