In a “Jewish twist” on the nightly applause for NHS staff, the strains of Shalom Aleichem reverberated around Radlett streets last Friday night with Jews and non-Jews in harmony.
Radlett United Synagogue’s Rabbi Jonny Hughes said the “very moving” Shabbat performance came about after his wife Chana posted the idea on a residents’ Facebook group.
Having received positive responses from more than 200 people, the couple sent out a video of the rabbi singing it with his children so people could learn the tune.
“I got emails from the local clergy, the Christian communities, all wanting to join in.” Neighbours on his street were among those singing along.
“It was very emotional,” Rabbi Hughes reported. “Every week, we sing that song to ourselves and our guests whereas here we were sharing our Judaism with the outside world — within lockdown rules.”
He added that Shabbat without synagogue was “like a lockdown within a lockdown.
“But in a strange way it’s such a positive lockdown because we realised we’re blessed every week to enjoy each other’s company and focus on the people we love and values that matter to us.”
