Gila at Arundel hotel

Gila at Arundel hotel
Visit with Mercedes

Sunday, 16 March 2014

Visit to the Synagogue

My dear Friends

Yesterday, on the Jewish Sabbath,or Shabbat as it is called, I had a beautiful experience. I had been invited to BethShalom Reform Synagogue, where I was going to pick up two prayer books I had ordered from one of their members.

Beth Shalom Synagogue is not new to me  as I had been a member of the congregation between 1986 and 1988. I took some of their services and it was during this period that I learned to chant in Hebrew from the Torah scroll-my teacher was the late Louis Berkman, formerly cantor of Belsize Synagogue in London. This was indeed a great privilege.

Yesterday's service was on the eve of the Festival of Purim, commemorating the time when Queen Esther saved the Jews from their enemies in Persia and it is a delightful feast for adults and children alike. Yesterday's actual reading from the Torah was rather complex, being from the Book of Leviticus and its injunctions on sacrifices-I was particularly interested in the Peace offerings, which were strictly laid down.

As I was standing and singing and gazing at the beautiful Torah scrolls, a thought struck me. As this community do not yet have their own building, the 'mobile' Ark containing the scrolls resembled that of the ark of the covenant which was carried round in the desert. How appropriate for me, during Lent, to be there, amongst my Jewish people! For I have always envisaged Len as my own journey through the desert with the Israelites, as in days of old.

The cantor sang well and I heard many new tunes that i had not heard on a previous visit. I resolved to come again before too long.

Happy and joyful journey through the desert!
Shalom from Gila.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I have given up 2 rather odd things for Lent, but it is an often reminder, so I am well pleased.
Take care. B