Golden Jubilee Celebrations at St John's Wood Published on United Synagogue (https://www.theus.org.uk)
Golden Jubilee Celebrations at St John's Wood
Last Shabbat St John’s Wood Synagogue celebrated its Golden Jubilee at its present site on Grove End Road, 1964-2014. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis attended the service along with other dignitaries amongst them representing the Queen HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Sir David Brewer, Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Audrey Lewis and Ambassador Taub. Also in attendance were local councillors and representatives of local Places of Worship, Schools, Hospitals and Civic societies.
The Shabbat began with an elegant Friday night dinner for young professional members of the community which family Mirvis attended. During dinner the Chief Rabbi inspired those present, he spoke about Simcha, joy being the key to having a balanced life. Shabbat, he said, has never been more relevant as it is today in the fast paced age in which we live as a time to find that balance.
On Shabbat morning after reading the Haftora the Neimah singers under the direction of Jonathan Weissbart together with Chazzan Moshe Haschel began the special Jubilee service with a rendition of L. Lewandowskis Ma Tovu. Dayan Ivan Binstock senior Rabbi at St John’s Wood Synagogue then welcomed the community and the visiting dignitaries. Chief Rabbi Mirvis recited a special prayer for the congregation composed specifically for the occasion. The Chief Rabbi gave the sermon during which he spoke of the rich history of this community and how much it has contributed to Anglo Jewry. The Chief Rabbi referred to the synagogue as the default Great Synagogue of London.
Dayan Binstock prepared a beautiful booklet entitled ‘A Brief History to Celebrate 50 Years at Grove End Road’ illustrated with many old and new photographs of events at the synagogue.
At the end of the service The Lord Mayor of Westminster addressed the community, wishing it continued success. Presentations were made to Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Mayor by acting Chair Anne Godfrey. The Lord Lieutenant then spoke humorously before kiddush about his experience of being at the synagogue and he too offered his well wishes to the community.
Today the building is still thriving; it is also host to the Saatchi Synagogue and the Anshei Shalom Community. During a joint seuda shlishit with all three communities the Chief Rabbi gave a shiur. Rabbi Mordechai Fhima of Anshei Shalom and Rabbi Mendel Cohen of the Saatchi Shul each expressed their appreciation of the values of the communities being united under one roof.
Talking about the Shabbat, acting Chair Anne Godfrey commented “this was a splendid occasion much enjoyed by our distinguished guests and our congregants alike. We missed our Chair Charles Lossos who had conceived the idea of the celebration and we wish him Mazal Tov on the birth of his son. I have received many messages of thanks and congratulations and in turn thank all of those who helped to make it a success”.
Date Uploaded: Thursday 24th July 2014
Source URL: https://www.theus.org.uk/article/golden-jubilee-celebrations-st-johns-wood
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