Board of Deputies Impact Report 2025
The Board of Deputies has just released it’s Impact Report which sets out in clear and practical terms the work the Board were able to deliver, thanks to the funds…
News
The Jewish Folk on the Hill
Jeremy Freedman gave me a history of The Jewish Folk on the Hill pamphlet that was published for the 30th anniversary celebrations of the shul at Tetherdown. I have scanned…
Bringing Light Into Our Future: A Chanukah Reflection from Jnetics
Chanukah has always captured the imagination of our people. It is a story we know by heart: the plucky underdog, the triumph of spirit over strength, the determination to fight…
Vayetzei 2025
Rabbi Michael’s sermon on Shabbat Vayeitzei 30/11/2025 While this week is JWA Shabbat, and I’ll be speaking shortly about how the Torah invites genuine, two-way communication in our relationships, I…
Thanks to our Mitzvah Day volunteers
Well done to all the 2025 Mitzvah Day volunteers who collected, sorted and delivered a huge amount of food to Finchley Foodbank.
Chayei Sarah – agency, respect and collective responsibility
A Drasha on Chayei Sarah from Tracey Chayei Sarah is often read as a story of beginnings, laying the foundation for Jewish relationships, community, and responsibility. Embedded in this narrative…
New MHS Social Action Group
Do you want to do more to help our neighbours in need? Our community has always led the way on helping our wider local community via our Winter shelter, our…
Mitzvah Day 2025
On Mitzvah Day, for the 16th year running, our volunteers spent the morning outside Sainsbury’s in Crouch End collecting food and toiletries for local Food Banks and Muswell Hill Soup…
6-7
Rabbi Michael explains how the popular meme 6-7 has special meaning for him.
Board of Deputies Briefing
Muswell Hill Synagogue has 2 deputies to the Board of Deputies (and a vacancy for a young adult deputy). Our deputies are Judith Prinsley and Anna Lawton. Contact Judith here.…
Step up, get involved – Help make the magic happen at Muswell Hill!
As you will have seen from Daniel’s message, Beth Franks has needed to resign for personal reasons. This is unfortunate, as with her assistance, we have been able to run…
Kiddush Hashem – Sanctifying God’s Name
Friends, what does it truly mean to sanctify God’s name in the world? When we think of Kiddush Hashem, what comes to mind? Is it primarily through grand sacrifices, moments…
Tracey’s Induction Speech
We held an induction ceremony for Rabbi Michael and Tracey on the 6th of July, 2025. This is what Tracey said. Chief Rabbi Mervis, Rabbonim and rebbetzin, our local MP,…
The Hero’s Journey: Cinderella, Ruth, and the Path of Enduring Commitment
Shavuot calls us into a covenant, to paths consciously chosen. But what if that path begins in desolation, in a landscape of famine, loss, and the unknown? It is here,…
Rabbi Michael’s Induction Speech
Chief Rabbi, Rabbanim, Rebbetzins, MP Catherine West, Chair Daniel Shaw, Honorary Officers, US President Michael Goldstein, honoured guests, colleagues, family, and friends—and most importantly, members of this warm and dynamic…
Bereishit
The Torah starts with the details of the six days of Creation. On the first four days, God created light, water, dry land, vegetation, the sun, the moon and the…
Noach
Noach is introduced as a righteous man who “walked with God”. He had three sons, Shem, Cham and Yefet. The people have become thieving and corrupt. Noach is told by…
Lech Lecha
God appeared to Avraham (at this stage still called Avram), telling him to leave his homeland, and travel to a land “that God would show him”, where he would flourish…
Vayera
Shortly after Avraham’s brit milah (circumcision), God appeared to him. Avraham greets three ‘men’ (in fact, angels) and serves them a fine meal. One of them tells Avraham that Sarah…
Chayei Sarah
Sarah died aged 127, in Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiated with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in order to purchase a burial plot for Sarah, the Cave…
Toledot
Yitzchak, aged 60, prayed for his wife Rivka to have a child. Rivka conceived twins and is told prophetically that the two children will father two separate nations. Esav is…
Vayeitzei
On Yaakov’s journey to Charan, he fell asleep and dreamt of a ladder resting on the ground and reaching up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God is at…
Vayishlach
Yaakov sent angels to inform his brother Esav that he is returning home, after decades away. Yaakov’s message offered Esav the chance to make peace, while conveying Yaakov’s own strength.…
Vayeishev
Yaakov settled in the Land of Cana’an (Israel). His son with Rachel, Yosef, brought negative reports to him about the sons of Leah, his half-brothers. Yaakov gave Yosef a woollen…
Mikeitz
Pharaoh dreamt that he was by the River Nile, where seven healthy cows emerge. Seven lean cows followed them out of the river and consumed them. Pharaoh then dreamt about…
Vayigash
22 years after Yosef, they faced the prospect of their father Yaakov ‘losing’ another one of his sons, Binyamin. Yehuda approached Yosef, recounting Yosef’s demand to see Binyamin and Yaakov’s…
Vayechi
Yaakov had been in Egypt for 17 years and was 147 years old. Knowing that he would soon die, he asked Yosef to take an oath to bury him in…
Shemot
The Torah names the sons of Yaakov who came down to Egypt. Yosef’s death is recorded again. His brothers also died. The nation increased in number. A new Pharaoh came…
Vaera
God reassured Moshe that He will keep His promise to the forefathers to bring the nation into the Land of Cana’an (Israel). God heard the crying out of the enslaved…
Bo
After the first seven plagues, Moshe and Aharon again warned Pharaoh to let the nation go, lest Egypt suffer an eighth plague. Pharaoh’s advisors encouraged him to agree. However, he…
Beshalach
After Pharaoh sent the Israelites out of Egypt, God did not lead them straight through the land of the Philistines towards Cana’an (Israel), but rather towards the Sea of Reeds.…
Yitro
Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law and Midianite priest, heard about the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. He came to meet Moshe in the desert, together with his daughter Tziporah (Moshe’s wife) and Moshe’s…
Mishpatim
The sidra contains many mitzvot, of which a selection has been included here. It starts with the laws of a Jewish servant. He is to work for six years, after…
Terumah
God told Moshe to ask the Jews for voluntary offerings towards the construction and functioning of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The materials needed are gold, silver and copper; turquoise, purple and…
Tetzaveh
God told Moshe to instruct the people to bring pure, pressed olive oil for lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Aharon and his sons take charge of setting up…
Ki Tissa
God instructs Moshe to take a census. Instead of counting people, each man over 20 gave a half shekel coin towards the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle); the census figure…
Vayakhel
Moshe gathered the nation. He instructed them to keep Shabbat, mentioning specifically the prohibition to kindle a fire. He then asked them to volunteer the materials needed for the construction…
Pekudei
The Torah lists the overall weight of gold, silver and copper used in building the Mishkan. The amount of half-shekel silver coins donated formed the basis of a census of…
Vayikra
The Book of Vayikra starts by detailing the olah (elevation) offering. One who brought an offering had to lay their hands upon it (semicha). The shechita (slaughter) of the animal…
Tzav
The Torah adds new details about the offerings that were discussed in last week’s sedrah. The olah (elevation) offering could be left burning on the mizbeach (altar) throughout the night.…
Shemini
The sedrah begins almost a year after the Exodus from Egypt, on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. After seven days of inaugurating the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Moshe instructed Aharon to bring two special…
Tazria
After childbirth, a woman would wait several weeks before bringing an elevation offering (olah) and a sin offering (chatat). A baby boy is circumcised on the eighth day after birth,…
Metzora
The Torah details the process through which a metzora – someone afflicted with the skin disease tzara’at – purified him/herself after the period of isolation and the healing of the…
Acharei Mot
God spoke to Moshe after the death of two of Aharon’s sons (detailed in parashat Shemini). Moshe was told to warn Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, not to enter the Holy…
Kedoshim
Kedoshim contains many mitzvot, a selection of which has been included here. We are commanded to revere our parents and to observe Shabbat. It is prohibited to worship and make…
Emor
God instructed Moshe to tell the Kohanim not to come into contact with a corpse, with the exception of when burying specific close relatives. They are not allowed to shave…
Behar
God instructed Moshe to tell the nation about the mitzvot of Shemitah. Every seventh year, the Land is ‘rested’ and no agricultural work is permitted. It is also forbidden to…
Bechukotai
God promised that if we keep His laws, then He will provide rain, the Land will give plenty of produce and we will not suffer any physical threat from enemies.…
Bemidbar
On Rosh Chodesh of the second month after the Exodus from Egypt, God instructed Moshe and Aharon to take a census of men above the age of 20. The leader…
Naso
The Torah now details the same for the descendants of Levi’s other two sons, Gershon and Merari. A census was taken of each of these three families, counting men aged…
Style 2
Board of Deputies Impact Report 2025
The Board of Deputies has just released it’s Impact Report which sets out in clear and practical terms the work…
The Jewish Folk on the Hill
Jeremy Freedman gave me a history of The Jewish Folk on the Hill pamphlet that was published for the 30th…
Bringing Light Into Our Future: A Chanukah Reflection from Jnetics
Chanukah has always captured the imagination of our people. It is a story we know by heart: the plucky underdog,…
Vayetzei 2025
Rabbi Michael’s sermon on Shabbat Vayeitzei 30/11/2025 While this week is JWA Shabbat, and I’ll be speaking shortly about how…
Thanks to our Mitzvah Day volunteers
Well done to all the 2025 Mitzvah Day volunteers who collected, sorted and delivered a huge amount of food to…
Chayei Sarah – agency, respect and collective responsibility
A Drasha on Chayei Sarah from Tracey Chayei Sarah is often read as a story of beginnings, laying the foundation…
New MHS Social Action Group
Do you want to do more to help our neighbours in need? Our community has always led the way on…
Mitzvah Day 2025
On Mitzvah Day, for the 16th year running, our volunteers spent the morning outside Sainsbury’s in Crouch End collecting food…
6-7
Rabbi Michael explains how the popular meme 6-7 has special meaning for him.
Board of Deputies Briefing
Muswell Hill Synagogue has 2 deputies to the Board of Deputies (and a vacancy for a young adult deputy). Our…
Step up, get involved – Help make the magic happen at Muswell Hill!
As you will have seen from Daniel’s message, Beth Franks has needed to resign for personal reasons. This is unfortunate,…
Kiddush Hashem – Sanctifying God’s Name
Friends, what does it truly mean to sanctify God’s name in the world? When we think of Kiddush Hashem, what…
Tracey’s Induction Speech
We held an induction ceremony for Rabbi Michael and Tracey on the 6th of July, 2025. This is what Tracey…
The Hero’s Journey: Cinderella, Ruth, and the Path of Enduring Commitment
Shavuot calls us into a covenant, to paths consciously chosen. But what if that path begins in desolation, in a…
Rabbi Michael’s Induction Speech
Chief Rabbi, Rabbanim, Rebbetzins, MP Catherine West, Chair Daniel Shaw, Honorary Officers, US President Michael Goldstein, honoured guests, colleagues, family,…
Bereishit
The Torah starts with the details of the six days of Creation. On the first four days, God created light,…
Noach
Noach is introduced as a righteous man who “walked with God”. He had three sons, Shem, Cham and Yefet. The…
Lech Lecha
God appeared to Avraham (at this stage still called Avram), telling him to leave his homeland, and travel to a…
Vayera
Shortly after Avraham’s brit milah (circumcision), God appeared to him. Avraham greets three ‘men’ (in fact, angels) and serves them…
Chayei Sarah
Sarah died aged 127, in Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiated with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in…
Toledot
Yitzchak, aged 60, prayed for his wife Rivka to have a child. Rivka conceived twins and is told prophetically that…
Vayeitzei
On Yaakov’s journey to Charan, he fell asleep and dreamt of a ladder resting on the ground and reaching up…
Vayishlach
Yaakov sent angels to inform his brother Esav that he is returning home, after decades away. Yaakov’s message offered Esav…
Vayeishev
Yaakov settled in the Land of Cana’an (Israel). His son with Rachel, Yosef, brought negative reports to him about the…
Mikeitz
Pharaoh dreamt that he was by the River Nile, where seven healthy cows emerge. Seven lean cows followed them out…
Vayigash
22 years after Yosef, they faced the prospect of their father Yaakov ‘losing’ another one of his sons, Binyamin. Yehuda…
Vayechi
Yaakov had been in Egypt for 17 years and was 147 years old. Knowing that he would soon die, he…
Shemot
The Torah names the sons of Yaakov who came down to Egypt. Yosef’s death is recorded again. His brothers also…
Vaera
God reassured Moshe that He will keep His promise to the forefathers to bring the nation into the Land of…
Bo
After the first seven plagues, Moshe and Aharon again warned Pharaoh to let the nation go, lest Egypt suffer an…
Beshalach
After Pharaoh sent the Israelites out of Egypt, God did not lead them straight through the land of the Philistines…
Yitro
Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law and Midianite priest, heard about the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. He came to meet Moshe in the…
Mishpatim
The sidra contains many mitzvot, of which a selection has been included here. It starts with the laws of a…
Terumah
God told Moshe to ask the Jews for voluntary offerings towards the construction and functioning of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The…
Tetzaveh
God told Moshe to instruct the people to bring pure, pressed olive oil for lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan…
Ki Tissa
God instructs Moshe to take a census. Instead of counting people, each man over 20 gave a half shekel coin…
Vayakhel
Moshe gathered the nation. He instructed them to keep Shabbat, mentioning specifically the prohibition to kindle a fire. He then…
Pekudei
The Torah lists the overall weight of gold, silver and copper used in building the Mishkan. The amount of half-shekel…
Vayikra
The Book of Vayikra starts by detailing the olah (elevation) offering. One who brought an offering had to lay their…
Tzav
The Torah adds new details about the offerings that were discussed in last week’s sedrah. The olah (elevation) offering could…
Shemini
The sedrah begins almost a year after the Exodus from Egypt, on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. After seven days of inaugurating…
Tazria
After childbirth, a woman would wait several weeks before bringing an elevation offering (olah) and a sin offering (chatat). A…
Metzora
The Torah details the process through which a metzora – someone afflicted with the skin disease tzara’at – purified him/herself…
Acharei Mot
God spoke to Moshe after the death of two of Aharon’s sons (detailed in parashat Shemini). Moshe was told to…
Kedoshim
Kedoshim contains many mitzvot, a selection of which has been included here. We are commanded to revere our parents and…
Emor
God instructed Moshe to tell the Kohanim not to come into contact with a corpse, with the exception of when…
Behar
God instructed Moshe to tell the nation about the mitzvot of Shemitah. Every seventh year, the Land is ‘rested’ and…
Bechukotai
God promised that if we keep His laws, then He will provide rain, the Land will give plenty of produce…
Bemidbar
On Rosh Chodesh of the second month after the Exodus from Egypt, God instructed Moshe and Aharon to take a…
Naso
The Torah now details the same for the descendants of Levi’s other two sons, Gershon and Merari. A census was…
Style 3
Board of Deputies Impact Report 2025
The Board of Deputies has just released it’s Impact Report which sets out in clear and practical terms the work the Board were able to deliver, thanks to the funds…
The Jewish Folk on the Hill
Jeremy Freedman gave me a history of The Jewish Folk on the Hill pamphlet that was published for the 30th anniversary celebrations of the shul at Tetherdown. I have scanned…
Bringing Light Into Our Future: A Chanukah Reflection from Jnetics
Chanukah has always captured the imagination of our people. It is a story we know by heart: the plucky underdog, the triumph of spirit over strength, the determination to fight…
Vayetzei 2025
Rabbi Michael’s sermon on Shabbat Vayeitzei 30/11/2025 While this week is JWA Shabbat, and I’ll be speaking shortly about how the Torah invites genuine, two-way communication in our relationships, I…
Thanks to our Mitzvah Day volunteers
Well done to all the 2025 Mitzvah Day volunteers who collected, sorted and delivered a huge amount of food to Finchley Foodbank.
Chayei Sarah – agency, respect and collective responsibility
A Drasha on Chayei Sarah from Tracey Chayei Sarah is often read as a story of beginnings, laying the foundation for Jewish relationships, community, and responsibility. Embedded in this narrative…
New MHS Social Action Group
Do you want to do more to help our neighbours in need? Our community has always led the way on helping our wider local community via our Winter shelter, our…
Mitzvah Day 2025
On Mitzvah Day, for the 16th year running, our volunteers spent the morning outside Sainsbury’s in Crouch End collecting food and toiletries for local Food Banks and Muswell Hill Soup…
Board of Deputies Briefing
Muswell Hill Synagogue has 2 deputies to the Board of Deputies (and a vacancy for a young adult deputy). Our deputies are Judith Prinsley and Anna Lawton. Contact Judith here.…
Step up, get involved – Help make the magic happen at Muswell Hill!
As you will have seen from Daniel’s message, Beth Franks has needed to resign for personal reasons. This is unfortunate, as with her assistance, we have been able to run…
Kiddush Hashem – Sanctifying God’s Name
Friends, what does it truly mean to sanctify God’s name in the world? When we think of Kiddush Hashem, what comes to mind? Is it primarily through grand sacrifices, moments…
Tracey’s Induction Speech
We held an induction ceremony for Rabbi Michael and Tracey on the 6th of July, 2025. This is what Tracey said. Chief Rabbi Mervis, Rabbonim and rebbetzin, our local MP,…
The Hero’s Journey: Cinderella, Ruth, and the Path of Enduring Commitment
Shavuot calls us into a covenant, to paths consciously chosen. But what if that path begins in desolation, in a landscape of famine, loss, and the unknown? It is here,…
Rabbi Michael’s Induction Speech
Chief Rabbi, Rabbanim, Rebbetzins, MP Catherine West, Chair Daniel Shaw, Honorary Officers, US President Michael Goldstein, honoured guests, colleagues, family, and friends—and most importantly, members of this warm and dynamic…
Bereishit
The Torah starts with the details of the six days of Creation. On the first four days, God created light, water, dry land, vegetation, the sun, the moon and the…
Noach
Noach is introduced as a righteous man who “walked with God”. He had three sons, Shem, Cham and Yefet. The people have become thieving and corrupt. Noach is told by…
Lech Lecha
God appeared to Avraham (at this stage still called Avram), telling him to leave his homeland, and travel to a land “that God would show him”, where he would flourish…
Vayera
Shortly after Avraham’s brit milah (circumcision), God appeared to him. Avraham greets three ‘men’ (in fact, angels) and serves them a fine meal. One of them tells Avraham that Sarah…
Chayei Sarah
Sarah died aged 127, in Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiated with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in order to purchase a burial plot for Sarah, the Cave…
Toledot
Yitzchak, aged 60, prayed for his wife Rivka to have a child. Rivka conceived twins and is told prophetically that the two children will father two separate nations. Esav is…
Vayeitzei
On Yaakov’s journey to Charan, he fell asleep and dreamt of a ladder resting on the ground and reaching up to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God is at…
Vayishlach
Yaakov sent angels to inform his brother Esav that he is returning home, after decades away. Yaakov’s message offered Esav the chance to make peace, while conveying Yaakov’s own strength.…
Vayeishev
Yaakov settled in the Land of Cana’an (Israel). His son with Rachel, Yosef, brought negative reports to him about the sons of Leah, his half-brothers. Yaakov gave Yosef a woollen…
Mikeitz
Pharaoh dreamt that he was by the River Nile, where seven healthy cows emerge. Seven lean cows followed them out of the river and consumed them. Pharaoh then dreamt about…
Vayigash
22 years after Yosef, they faced the prospect of their father Yaakov ‘losing’ another one of his sons, Binyamin. Yehuda approached Yosef, recounting Yosef’s demand to see Binyamin and Yaakov’s…
Vayechi
Yaakov had been in Egypt for 17 years and was 147 years old. Knowing that he would soon die, he asked Yosef to take an oath to bury him in…
Shemot
The Torah names the sons of Yaakov who came down to Egypt. Yosef’s death is recorded again. His brothers also died. The nation increased in number. A new Pharaoh came…
Vaera
God reassured Moshe that He will keep His promise to the forefathers to bring the nation into the Land of Cana’an (Israel). God heard the crying out of the enslaved…
Bo
After the first seven plagues, Moshe and Aharon again warned Pharaoh to let the nation go, lest Egypt suffer an eighth plague. Pharaoh’s advisors encouraged him to agree. However, he…
Beshalach
After Pharaoh sent the Israelites out of Egypt, God did not lead them straight through the land of the Philistines towards Cana’an (Israel), but rather towards the Sea of Reeds.…
Yitro
Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law and Midianite priest, heard about the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. He came to meet Moshe in the desert, together with his daughter Tziporah (Moshe’s wife) and Moshe’s…
Mishpatim
The sidra contains many mitzvot, of which a selection has been included here. It starts with the laws of a Jewish servant. He is to work for six years, after…
Terumah
God told Moshe to ask the Jews for voluntary offerings towards the construction and functioning of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The materials needed are gold, silver and copper; turquoise, purple and…
Tetzaveh
God told Moshe to instruct the people to bring pure, pressed olive oil for lighting the Menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Aharon and his sons take charge of setting up…
Ki Tissa
God instructs Moshe to take a census. Instead of counting people, each man over 20 gave a half shekel coin towards the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle); the census figure…
Vayakhel
Moshe gathered the nation. He instructed them to keep Shabbat, mentioning specifically the prohibition to kindle a fire. He then asked them to volunteer the materials needed for the construction…
Pekudei
The Torah lists the overall weight of gold, silver and copper used in building the Mishkan. The amount of half-shekel silver coins donated formed the basis of a census of…
Vayikra
The Book of Vayikra starts by detailing the olah (elevation) offering. One who brought an offering had to lay their hands upon it (semicha). The shechita (slaughter) of the animal…
Tzav
The Torah adds new details about the offerings that were discussed in last week’s sedrah. The olah (elevation) offering could be left burning on the mizbeach (altar) throughout the night.…
Shemini
The sedrah begins almost a year after the Exodus from Egypt, on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. After seven days of inaugurating the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Moshe instructed Aharon to bring two special…
Tazria
After childbirth, a woman would wait several weeks before bringing an elevation offering (olah) and a sin offering (chatat). A baby boy is circumcised on the eighth day after birth,…
Metzora
The Torah details the process through which a metzora – someone afflicted with the skin disease tzara’at – purified him/herself after the period of isolation and the healing of the…
Acharei Mot
God spoke to Moshe after the death of two of Aharon’s sons (detailed in parashat Shemini). Moshe was told to warn Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, not to enter the Holy…
Kedoshim
Kedoshim contains many mitzvot, a selection of which has been included here. We are commanded to revere our parents and to observe Shabbat. It is prohibited to worship and make…
Emor
God instructed Moshe to tell the Kohanim not to come into contact with a corpse, with the exception of when burying specific close relatives. They are not allowed to shave…
Behar
God instructed Moshe to tell the nation about the mitzvot of Shemitah. Every seventh year, the Land is ‘rested’ and no agricultural work is permitted. It is also forbidden to…
Bechukotai
God promised that if we keep His laws, then He will provide rain, the Land will give plenty of produce and we will not suffer any physical threat from enemies.…
Bemidbar
On Rosh Chodesh of the second month after the Exodus from Egypt, God instructed Moshe and Aharon to take a census of men above the age of 20. The leader…
Naso
The Torah now details the same for the descendants of Levi’s other two sons, Gershon and Merari. A census was taken of each of these three families, counting men aged…