A night of music for the soul at St John’s Wood Shul

Recalling vividly the melodic brilliance of the chazan at Kenton Shul throughout my childhood, I was buzzing with anticipation to hear three of the biggest names in the business perform at St John’s Wood Synagogue at Music for the Soul last weekend. In solidarity with Israel, it promised an evening of Israeli medleys with world-renowned guest chazanim Simon Cohen, Netanel Hershtik and the shul’s very own Avraham Kirshenbaum.

Led by the inimitable Marc Temerlies, the Ne’imah singers stood resplendent in their dickie bows against the impressive ark backdrop. As the orchestra tuned up, the excitement in the room was palpable, knowing we were in for an orchestral treat under the lead of Raymond Goldstein on piano and including Miriam Kramer as lead violinist.

Whilst music was the order of the night, the event was in partnership with two charities: Jami and Camp Simcha, and also St John’s Wood Synagogue. Anthony Hayman, Director of Development at Jami spoke passionately about the organisation and their wraparound support of the community, both young and old. Highlighting the need more than ever for mental health support he cited the increase in mental health issues through stress and trauma across the community, even more so since the atrocities in Israel last October. From support work in schools such as JFS to their integration with Jewish Care, Jami’s aim is clearer than ever before in offering the very best mental health resources for our community.

Simon Johnson, Chair of Camp Simcha, spoke about the charity and its incredible support working with seriously ill children as well as giving practical help to the families, including much-needed respite and counselling. Rosanna Burr, vice chair of St John’s Wood Shul, also spoke.

As the chazanim took to the stage, the room was mesmerised and because my setlist expectation was solely music from davening and prayer, I was pleasantly surprised to hear personal stories from each chazan, a rendition of Chad Gadya and an emotionally stirring adaptation of Bring Him Home from Les Mis, poignantly altered to ‘Bring Them Home’.

With incredibly touching moments of chazan Simon Cohen singing ‘alongside’ recordings of his late father Stanley Cohen, to them schlepping up Rabbi Yossi Binstock, son of Dayan Binstock, to join them in belting out Am Yisrael Chai as a quartet, the evening was everything and more. There was even a rendition of Happy Birthday to an audience member – definitely one to remember.

There were moments when it felt like a very special simcha, but the night did not end with Sweet Caroline, rather a poignant and extremely moving Hatikva. And finally a standing ovation of God Save the King to end and evening of incredibly rousing music on a high.