Jews sing their way through the Sabbath

A SYNAGOGUE played host to a unique weekend attracting people from far and wide to literally sing their way through the Sabbath.

Participants from as far afield as Leicester, Hereford and Manchester joined Rabbis and musicians at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, in Oaklands Gate, Northwood, on July 24 and 25 for the 'Singing Weekend'.

Everyone learned religious chanting and took part in workshops to improve their vocal techniques, as well as having a go at playing the Shofar (a ram's horn blown to mark the Jewish New Year).

Over the course of the weekend the two dozen or so participants joined Northwood's regular congregants in leading two musical services as well as a short Havadalah, which marks the end of the Jewish Sabbath.

Northwood and Pinner Rabbi, Hillel Athias-Robles, said: "Shabbat is an incredibly joyful time for Jews, and as a community we have a strong tradition of singing and chanting to express that joy.

"There was something for everyone at the 'Singing Weekend', from the most modern to the most traditional.

"Hopefully we will now have created a new tradition which will have Jews from Northwood to the North West singing from sunrise to sunset."