REAL LIFE STORIES: Mill Hill United Synagogue - The Jewish Chronicle

Let me introduce myself. I am the Annie and Samuel Levy Hall, on the ground floor of the Ner Orre Community Centre at Mill Hill United Synagogue. I was completely rebuilt and refurbished in 2013 and re-opened by the Rt Hon Tony Blair, and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub on March 11, 2013. I am octagonal, with a fluted wooden ceiling — a Noah’s Ark, if you will — and have a gallery running more than half way around. Standing in the middle, you can see right around me, as I have no pillars. There’s a (removable) stage at one end and direct access into a commercial KLBD meat kitchen. So caterers love me — the food comes out hot, with no distance to travel to reach guests. Bands and DJs adore my amazing acoustics and lighting crews are delighted by the nooks and crannies, made for uplighting and the gallery, to flood the room with ambience. With no sharp edges, I can be redesigned in countless ways.

8.00am

Here comes Alex, one of the Mill Hill caretaking team, to spruce me up from last night’s festivities. Tables and chairs are wheeled away, allowing Alex to have a sweep-up before getting out the heavy-duty polisher for my weekly facial (my floor is 100 per cent wooden sprung, so dancing can take place anywhere and I keep myself in good shape).

10.30am

Gerry Shaer is approaching with a young family — the boy looks about 10 years old — ooh, goodie — another chance to show myself off for a barmitzvah party in 2022. Gerry guides the guests around — here’s where the sushi bar can go and I’d suggest the drinks table is placed in the foyer... it makes for a really nice flow of party goers. She points to the gallery — we had a Harry Potter barmitzvah here and they hung the school banners from the balcony. Another family used the gallery to parade into dinner – it’s a great way for the family to take in the whole spectacle and really make an entrance. Gerry has been here five years as my hire manager and she takes the family from enquiry and viewing, through to booking and sealing the logistics, in close cooperation with Lorraine Kasler, my facilities manager. The family admire my chandelier — looks like a spaceship, says the pre-barmitzvah boy. The family go into the kitchen and then the foyer... I can’t quite hear the conversation there.

Noon

Lorraine comes in, to inspect my polished floor. She also checks my fire exits and spot-checks the room for any signs of distress from last night — if she finds anything amiss, she’ll ask Alex to come back and set me right. Lorraine is also the health and safety controller and needs to know who the party guests are bringing on-site (DJs, entertainers, glitter girls, T-shirt makers...) so they are fit for purpose and we can work with them to get the best result for everyone.

4.00pm

Excellent! Tables are rolled out; I’m being re-set for a charity function tonight. Speeches from the stage, and a DJ. Dan, another caretaker, sets up the AV equipment. A projector comes out, a screen is lowered and Dan tests the connections. A couple of microphones and a quick sound check and all will be good to go.

6.00pm

“Coo-eey!” One of the charity ladies is calling to Dan: “I’ve got the security list and table plan”. Dan takes both and hangs the table plan on the easel at the entrance. He hands the security lists to the office. We’re getting ready; I’m getting excited.

6.30pm

The DJ arrives and sets up and the kitchen buzzes with activity. Tables are laid, chairs are counted… and recounted — some tables of eight, some of ten, one of nine and a long top table — must get that right. Layouts are different every time and my caretakers ensure everyone has the right seat.

7.45pm

The doors have opened; guests are arriving and I start to fill with sound of chatter — “look at the raffle prizes”; “have you seen the ceiling looks like a wooden ship — oh it’s Noah’s Ark”; “I wonder if...

8.30pm

The DJ is playing his background set and food is being consumed, with waitresses bustling back and forth. Dan and Alex are on hand outside, but they are not needed — everything runs like clockwork.

10.15pm

The chief executive draws the DJ to a close and gives the final thanks and, in typical Jewish style, people either file out or hover and keep nattering, while Dan and Alex do their best to see everyone out safely.

11.00pm

Even the DJ has left. My floor is far messier than at 6pm. Oh well, I’ll see Ann Marie in the morning for tomorrow’s spruce-up. Lights are all switched off. It was another great night! Goodnight…until tomorrow. c