Three years ago, when my sister Amy came back from her Israel tour, I went to pick her up from the airport and saw how she had grown and changed for the better. Three years later when it was my turn, the idea of going away with fifty-seven other people to a foreign country for three and a half weeks didn't really appeal to me; however, that would all change.
There were a couple of things that I wanted to get out of tour. Ever since completing the Jewish studies GCSE course at SPS, where I was able to go deeper into the meaning of Judaism, I have been more interested in learning about other religions. Therefore, by going on tour I wanted to find my own Jewish identity, to gain a connection with Israel; as well as finding lifelong friends and to have the most amazing experience.
Throughout the trip I saw some incredible sites, including the Western Wall, Masada, Mount Herzl and the Gaza Wall where I glued a prayer. One thing that surprised me the most was everywhere I looked there was an Israeli flag; hanging up on buildings, cranes and on the side of roads. It shocked me because it shows you how proud Israel is, which was so refreshing to see. Despite everything that they go through on a regular basis with bomb shelters around every corner and being attacked both physically and politically, Israel stands tall and proud; and that made me feel proud not only to be in Israel but also to be Jewish. Even when faced with a crisis Israel and its citizens find a way to carry on their lives as normal. All our worries are nothing compared to how brave they are.
On a less serious note, all my worries about making friends were swiftly forgotten. I have made some lovely life-long friends and everybody was so kind, it was like meeting up with friends that you have known for years. Being stuck with more than 60 people every day didn't take that long to get use to as you always had someone around to keep you company; and there was never a shortage of things to do or laughs waiting to happen.
I am so grateful to everyone that made my Israel tour the most amazing experience I have ever had. I had the most incredible time that I will never forget. Since being back from tour I am now considering taking a gap year in Israel to further develop my Jewish understanding.
Charlotte Golding
My trip to Israel was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Everything about BBYO Israel tour was phenomenal, from visiting sites such as the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, to swimming in the Kinneret and hiking up Masada. When I visited the Old City, I felt such a strong connection to Judaism it made me really think about what it is to be Jewish and what I can do in my life to continue this connection.
Getting to the top of Masada was so rewarding, when we reached the summit we sat together and watched the sunrise, which was beautiful.
Not only were the educational aspects of the tour memorable, I know that the friends I have made will be lifelong friends. Having fifty-seven other teenagers to share the tour with was one of my favourite parts. My summer in Israel has changed me as a person and was an exceptional experience which I will remember for the rest of my life.
Hannah Golding
Thursday 22 September 2016
Thursday 15 September 2016
Rabbinic Memories
In the early days of the Leo Baeck College there was no course for practical Rabbinics. For example, how to conduct a wedding, funeral or stone setting.
So, when I was asked or expected to conduct a stone setting for a late congregant of the Settlement Synagogue, where I had been seconded as student Rabbi, I sought the advice from a senior fellow student on how to conduct it. Armed with this information and full of nerves, I appeared on the due date at Edmonton Cemetery in North London. It should be known, at this point, that I did not conduct the funeral of the late gentleman so I had no idea where he was buried in the cemetery.
After the initial part of the service in the prayer hall, having delivered a suitable eulogy, I proceeded out of the hall with the one and only mourner, his son, followed by a trail of some hundred family and friends, to conclude the service at the graveside. I marched solemnly down the path, together with the son, doing a wonderful impression of the Pied Piper of Hamlin because, by this time, there was a trail of people following dutifully behind us.
After about five minutes, which seemed an eternity, having turned right and left several times through the cemetery, I enquired of the mourner, as to where exactly the grave was. To my surprised he replied that he could not remember. By this time the trail of people stretched out around half the cemetery. It always seems that a stone setting is an opportunity for a social event to catch up with family and friends who haven’t seen each other since the last family event, therefore they were busy chatting and not noticing where they were being led. So, what to do? Back to the prayer hall and seek out the resident groundsman to enquire the whereabouts of the required grave.
With that knowledge, off we went again, found the grave not fifty yards from the hall, and proceeded to conclude the service. Having paid my respects to close family, I proceeded back to the prayer hall, only to be waylaid by the inevitable ‘hochum’ of the family who enquired as to why we had walked all over the cemetery. Thankfully I had my wits about me and, not wishing to demonstrate my naivety, I told him that there was an old Jewish custom that if you had not attended the cemetery in the last thirty days you were required to walk the four corners of the grounds to show one’s respect. This seemed to satisfy him and off he went ………… and so did I! And, thus, another Jewish custom had been established.
Rabbi Michael Standfield
So, when I was asked or expected to conduct a stone setting for a late congregant of the Settlement Synagogue, where I had been seconded as student Rabbi, I sought the advice from a senior fellow student on how to conduct it. Armed with this information and full of nerves, I appeared on the due date at Edmonton Cemetery in North London. It should be known, at this point, that I did not conduct the funeral of the late gentleman so I had no idea where he was buried in the cemetery.
After the initial part of the service in the prayer hall, having delivered a suitable eulogy, I proceeded out of the hall with the one and only mourner, his son, followed by a trail of some hundred family and friends, to conclude the service at the graveside. I marched solemnly down the path, together with the son, doing a wonderful impression of the Pied Piper of Hamlin because, by this time, there was a trail of people following dutifully behind us.
After about five minutes, which seemed an eternity, having turned right and left several times through the cemetery, I enquired of the mourner, as to where exactly the grave was. To my surprised he replied that he could not remember. By this time the trail of people stretched out around half the cemetery. It always seems that a stone setting is an opportunity for a social event to catch up with family and friends who haven’t seen each other since the last family event, therefore they were busy chatting and not noticing where they were being led. So, what to do? Back to the prayer hall and seek out the resident groundsman to enquire the whereabouts of the required grave.
With that knowledge, off we went again, found the grave not fifty yards from the hall, and proceeded to conclude the service. Having paid my respects to close family, I proceeded back to the prayer hall, only to be waylaid by the inevitable ‘hochum’ of the family who enquired as to why we had walked all over the cemetery. Thankfully I had my wits about me and, not wishing to demonstrate my naivety, I told him that there was an old Jewish custom that if you had not attended the cemetery in the last thirty days you were required to walk the four corners of the grounds to show one’s respect. This seemed to satisfy him and off he went ………… and so did I! And, thus, another Jewish custom had been established.
Rabbi Michael Standfield
Thursday 8 September 2016
Music at SPS
There is a range of different musical activities at SPS for all ages!
The Youth Singing Group
If you are 16+, love music and want to learn new songs then join the new SPS Singing Group this summer.
We will be singing popular songs from the West End and Broadway musicals, films, and contemporary music.
You do not need to read music or Hebrew and there are no auditions. Just come along and find out how much fun sining with others can be!
If you are interested please email idiot@singinginlondon.com
SPS Choir
Join the SPS choir to sing at Shabbat Services. Rehearsals include vocal coaching to develop your singing skills. Starting at 9:50-10:50 followed by the Shabbat Service.
The next Choir rehearsal begins on 10th September at 9:50am.
The Youth Singing Group
If you are 16+, love music and want to learn new songs then join the new SPS Singing Group this summer.
We will be singing popular songs from the West End and Broadway musicals, films, and contemporary music.
You do not need to read music or Hebrew and there are no auditions. Just come along and find out how much fun sining with others can be!
If you are interested please email idiot@singinginlondon.com
SPS Choir
Join the SPS choir to sing at Shabbat Services. Rehearsals include vocal coaching to develop your singing skills. Starting at 9:50-10:50 followed by the Shabbat Service.
The next Choir rehearsal begins on 10th September at 9:50am.
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