Hosting a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at St John's Wood Synagogue means your child will come of age in a dynamic environment that's also steeped in Jewish tradition.
Yet as we all know, organising a major community event takes work. Help us to help you organise your simcha by following these helpful steps:
And the celebrations don't start and finish with Shabbat!
Bar Mitzvah boys can attend the morning service on a Monday or Thursday closest to their 13th birthday, as determined by the Hebrew calendar. They will be called up to read from the Torah and recite the short blessing that they have learned for their Bar Mitzvah day. A small breakfast can be held after the service which is an ideal opportunity for family photos.
Similarly, Bat Mitzvah girls can celebrate with special ceremonies on Shabbat at the end of the morning service, or amongst family and friends at a smaller occasion.
To find the Hebrew date of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah use the Date Calculator.
Our social events bring together different segments of the community as friends to talk, laugh and enjoy themselves.
Boutique Friday night dinners and legendary Purim & Simchat Torah parties draw many young adults from locations across London to St. John's Wood. There are dinners and classes for engaged and newly married young couples, as well as BBQs, movie and game nights where the adults of our community come together to enhance existing and create new friendships.
Lunachicks brings together the women and Lunachaps the men, for a social space to foster friendships and enjoy time together.
Contact Rabbi Mendel RMC@shulinthewood.com for more information.
It's not just close friends and family who shout ‘mazeltov!’ when a new baby is born.
At St John's Wood Synagogue, we are always happy to hear about births within the community and we look forward to welcoming new arrivals into the community in a host of ways. Please get in touch with the Synagogue office when your baby is born.
We know the first few days after a baby's birth can be as exhausting as they are exciting; as such, we are happy to offer meal rotas to ease the workload for new parents.
Our Rabbinic team would be delighted to talk to you about a Brit Milah, Simchat Bat, Shalom Zachor, Pidyon Haben or any other special celebration that you would like help planning.
Each Shavuot, we hold our annual Baby Blessing; a celebration to welcome all new babies into the community. Each child receives a special St John's Wood Synagogue teddy bear and a Jewish Birth Certificate.
To sign up for this year's Baby Blessing please register your baby with the Synagogue office: office@shulinthewood.com or telephone 020 7286 3838.
A wedding at St. John's Wood Synagogue provides a traditional backdrop for a life-affirming celebration of your future.
St John's Wood Synagogue is a popular venue for marriages for both members and non-members alike. Couples who would like to book the Synagogue or one of our Rabbis to officiate at their special day, should check availability with the Synagogue office. office@shulinthewood.com or telephone 020 7286 3838.
The Rabbi will arrange to meet with the couple in advance of the wedding and can provide advice and support in the lead up to the big day.
Our Rabbis are authorised to officiate at both religious and civil ceremonies at Synagogues, hotels and at various other locations across the UK and at chupahs abroad.
In addition to civil notices, couples will need to contact the office of the Chief Rabbi at www.theus.org.uk/article/getting-married-us-0 to confirm their Jewish status and provide the details required to write the Ketubah.
Our Rabbis can happily advise on what is required for both of these registrations. In accordance with the English Civil Law, your religious and civil ceremonies take place simultaneously under our auspices.
For further information, please contact the Synagogue office office@shulinthewood.com or telephone 020 7286 3838 or a member of the Rabbinic Team.
Losing a loved one is never easy. Our community is here to assist you at this most difficult time.
The United Synagogue has a specific procedure that mourners should follow, in the unfortunate event of a bereavement.
The Synagogue will publicise the time of the funeral and the shiva details, via email to community members and will provide mourning chairs, shiva prayer books and where required, a portable Sefer Torah & Aron Kodesh for services.
Our Rabbis' and Rebbetzin will advise, assist and support in regard to the various arrangements.
If the deceased is not a member of the United Synagogue Funeral Expenses Scheme (FES) please contact the Synagogue office office@shulinthewood.com or telephone 020 7286 3838 who will advise further, or visit www.theus.org.uk.
