Studying in the capital can pose a challenge for Jewish students — particularly those who are observant, live in north west London and cannot attend Jewish Society synagogue services in the city centre.
UCL business management student Benjy Trent found himself in such a situation. He spent his gap year in Israel and grew accustomed to praying every day with people his own age at yeshivah.
After returning to his family home in Hendon, he bemoaned the lack of a nearby student minyan.
Benjy was not alone. He teamed up with school friend Gadi Fisher and in September 2011 created Na’aleh, an autonomous minyan based at Hendon United Synagogue. Students lead the services and deliver sermons on subjects of interest to young people.
