Welcoming Shabbat with "Israeli Lecha Dodi" at the West London Synagogue

In April 1840 a new synagogue was founded that would allow those Jews who had previously attended London’s two principal synagogues, both on the edge of the City, to worship nearer their own homes in the West End of London.

 They were also anxious to provide in their religious services a modicum of decorum, sadly lacking in both synagogues, a sermon in English, provision for the teaching of Hebrew and of Judaism, and a coming together of both branches of English Jews, the Sephardim (Spanish and Portuguese) and Ashkenazim (German). Thus was born the West London Synagogue of British Jews.

Now the West London Synagogue has some 3,000 members and the Reform movement some 40 synagogues. The Synagogue participates in many Jewish, non-Jewish and interfaith activities and its members enjoy a wide programme of family and communal events, music, lectures and films.

Today we welcome Shabbat with a new tune for Lecha Dodi that Maya Levy, the synagogue's cantorial soloist, calls the Israeli Lecha Dodi.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.