Shabbat in Muswell Hill Synagogue

It was another fascinating and interesting Shabbat in Muswell Hill. The week before, January 11th, was itself amazing for our Shul. We had a guest in Shul called Eli Garshowitz who works as an Israeli reporter for Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper. He turns out to be the last person to have interviewed Ariel Sharon as prime minister, before his serious stroke. Given that Ariel Sharon passed away last Shabbat, this was incredible timing, a point not lost on all who were there to hear Eli give an impromptu talk after service. Here is an article about this interview.

And last Shabbat we welcomed Leonie Lewis, Director of JVN, Jewish Volunteering Network who talked to us about Jewish approaches and ideas to giving and volunteering. We learned some key Hebrew words such as ‘natan’ and ‘nadav’ that can tell us something about what we think as Jews about volunteering. Leonie explained how important it was to her that people felt passionately about volunteering and that it is something that should come from one’s heart. Leonie and Howard spent Shabbat with us and enjoyed greatly the Muswell Hill atmosphere.

If you would like to be in touch with JVN yourself to organise some volunteering time, please do look at their website

As I mentioned in Shul on Shabbat, volunteering and giving time is something that should grow from within, and when it comes to our own communal needs, we are looking for volunteers to give of their time to buddy, help and support members of the community. You may have one hour a week or one hour a month, but this will really make a difference within the community. If you have not yet already, email Sara Boxer

There are many more interesting Shabbatot ahead, with our new Text Together beginning on Feb 8th with a textual talk by our Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. Our next Shabbat on the Hill will be on Feb 15th and our second Text Together talk will be on March 8th.

There’s always something interesting and inspiring at Muswell Hill Synagogue!