A monthly Hallel service for Orthodox women organised by Edgware United Synagogue has attracted more than 100 participants from all over the world.

Jane Myers who started the service back in May 2020  with Sara Garfield of Edgware Adas and other women from the local community is delighted that it has grown so fast. The latest one, held on Wednesday, was attended by more than 200 women, including participants from Finland, Canada, Bolivia, Norway, Barbados, Kenya, Italy, El Salvador, Switzerland, the UAE, the Netherlands, Spain and Panama, as well as Israel and the US.

“We were thrilled in November to have over 130 ladies from all over the world joining us,” she told the JC before this week's service. “But the Chanukah Hallel in December was our best ever, involving not only a UK based accomplished singer and guitarist Hadassa Kessler as well as a small ensemble performing from their shul in Bussum, Holland and a singer and her mother both with beautiful voices from Charlotte, North Carolina.” 

The monthly initiative started with just 30 participants, and grew by word of mouth. It is usually held to mark Rosh Chodesh.

“There was a really special atmosphere today, you could feel it even online,” one woman from Vancouver wrote after the Chanukah service..

“It was beautiful, so uplifting…this has helped me to unwind and relax,” wrote another from Bournemouth.
 
Jane Myers believes the success of the intitiative shows that women are keen to support women-only services where they can play a more active role. “I hope that we can find a way of carrying on in some form after the pandemic,” she said. “It’s a positive thing that has come out of this situation.”

Women who want to take part in future services should email office@edgwareu.com