Edinburgh community celebrates Yiddish-inspired Burns Night

David Ian Neville (left) & Fiona Brodie (Photo: Janet Mundy)[Missing Credit]

She said that “the Edinburgh Jewish community is all about working together for the benefit of everyone involved, whatever their religious affiliation or background”. Guests came from as far away as Glasgow and ranged in age from five to 85, she said.

Ethel Mendius, a member of Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation who attended the supper, concurred with Mundy. “It's wonderful to see how diverse we are, and it's important to come together as a community, despite our different practices and beliefs,” she said.

As well as the full dinner menu – which was all kosher – the evening was punctuated by performances from various attendees. These included songs with accompaniment on the piano, readings of Burns’ poems, and a rendition of Auld Lang Syne from all present to wrap up the evening.

Mundy’s favourite performance was a song from – aptly named- Benjamin Birns, “whose self-composed Toast to the Lassies brought together Scottish and Jewish references”, which he “performed with a pretty convincing Scottish accent”, she said.

Rabbi Mark Solomon on stage & Phil Alexander on the piano (Photo: Janet Mundy)[Missing Credit]

Mendius commended Rabbi Solomon from Sukkat Shalom, whose “singing [of] Burns songs in Scots and Yiddish was beautiful and inspired”.

The evening was a product of the work of a “fantastic team of performers, cooks, and volunteers”, said Mundy, “and our hearty thanks are offered to them all”.

Burns Night, also known as Burns Supper, is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns. It takes place annually on his birthday, 25 January.