Welcome

Welcome to the the largest and most inclusive shul in Hendon.

Within our community you will find a full range of activities for all ages and lifestages within a vibrant, modern orthodox framework. This pack highlights just a few of the activities that take place regularly on the Synagogue campus and I am sure that you will find something here for you.

Our synagogue has served the community for over 60 years and has seen many changes both within our membership and beyond. Throughout that time, Hendon United Synagogue has adapted to meet its members needs in a huge variety of ways.

News

Weekly Parsha

Beshalach (Shabbat Shirah)

Sedra Reflections by Rebbetzen Chana Hughes

It has happened countless times. The lights are off, the candles are lit, the cake is ready, the children are ecstatic…and then something flops. A toddler falls, a balloon pops, a child singes her finger. Why can’t we ever create the perfect celebration?

In this week’s Sedra, the same thing occurs. A nation oppressed for centuries is finally, miraculously, saved. At their most transcendent moment, as the Sea of Reeds splits, the Jews cry out: ‘Who is like You among the lords, O Hashem?’ (Shemot 15:11)
The Sages (Medrash Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishmael) say that the word eilim (‘lords’) is an allusion to the word eilleim, meaning ‘one who cannot speak’, referring to the future destruction of the Second Temple in which murder and destruction were wrought while G-d seemingly stood by in silence. The question is, why are the Jews alluding to future disasters while they are at the height of their joy?
When the sea split, the Jews not only recognised G-d’s hand at that moment; they also realised that He had been with them throughout their harsh persecution as well. Even though it seemed like G-d had forgotten them, their pain and suffering in Egypt was part of the Divine plan and it was this that they realised with hindsight as G-d split the sea.

There is a more difficult level of gratitude, which is remembering to thank G-d even when times are hard. This was the message the Torah wanted us to remember for the future so that, even during impending dark times, we would never despair. And this is the message to remember when your baby throws your phone in the bath. Thank G-d you have a child.

This week is ‘family Shabbat’. We are all in different positions of good and not so good times. It is a great opportunity to come together to thank G-d for what we have.

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Our Rabbi

Rabbi Ginsbury

Rabbi Mordechai and Judy Ginsbury joined Hendon United Synagogue in February 1999. Prior to this they had spent nearly 14 years as Rabbi and Rebbetzen of the Prestwich Hebrew Congregation in Manchester.

During their tenure with us they have endeared themselves to the Community with their warm, intelligent and welcoming approach and have enhanced and furthered Hendon’s reputation as a dynamic and vibrant Kehilla.

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