The Movement for Reform Judaism

Newcastle Reform Synagogue – Ner Tamid members and friends gathered last month for a sponsored sing in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust, the charity which organises a bone marrow donors register and works to find treatments for leukaemia.

The Trust had contacted choirs, churches, religious and community groups, asking them to hold a “sponsored hymn sing” comprising “50 hymns, psalms or verses.” The event at Newcastle Reform Synagogue is believed to be unique because all the songs were in Hebrew.

Such was the singers’ enthusiasm that they refused to stop after 50 songs, psalms and niggunim. As people continued to request and lead their favourites, the number of songs sung reached 54 and there was even a spontaneous outbreak of Israeli folk dancing!

The most frequently sung item was Adon Olam, to five different tunes, followed by 4 versions of Oseh Shalom Bimromav and 3 of Lecha Dodi.

The money raised for the Anthony Nolan Trust already exceeds £450, and some more is still to come in.

Synagogue Chairman Benny Ross said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part, including those who provided the refreshments and cleared up. It was great to see how people became more confident at leading their favourite songs. We’ve raised some money for an excellent cause at the same time as improving our knowledge of Jewish music.” 

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