West London’s stunning sanctuary plays host to Shabbat Shira on the first and third Fridays of the month. The emphasis is definitely musical with an in-house ensemble drawing on the talents of members of Los Desterrados amongst others. A CD has been produced with slick graphics; Shabbat Shira’s musical pedigree is indisputable.
It kicks off at 7.15, shortly after the main Friday night service – make sure you don’t end up in the wrong one, as the experiences are rather different.
There is candle lighting with everyone offered the opportunity of taking part as a gentle niggun gets things going. A real effort is made to create a warm atmosphere and sense of community. A solid group of regulars is made up of young adults and families and the West End location makes it a popular choice for visitors from overseas. There is often a large and diverse crowd which makes it a comfortable destination for a wide range of types from a wide catchment area but one regular says an RSY-Netzer background might help you feel at home.
The American connection is strong and services are, in part, inspired by New York’s Upper West Side shul, BJ, famous for its young and celebrity-sprinkled crowd and packed musical services. There’s certainly a cosmopolitan, big-city feel to Shabbat Shira – you’re not in the suburbs anymore Toto - but it has a bit further to go before Barbra Streisand and Sarah Jessica Parker will be spotted sneaking in at the back.
Music is the big thing here and you’ll hear the lot; Carlebach, Debbie Friedman, Hassidic niggunim and Sephardic tunes you’ll recognise from a Los Des album. But luckily this mish mash is well held-together and the ruach is generally sustained throughout. The service itself tends not to be too experimental and is more traditional than other musically based progressive Friday nights. The tone is inclusive; the specially compiled siddur features transliteration and new tunes are introduced gently and are easy to learn without feeling too much like you’re being patronised or are learning to do Friday night.
The service is usually followed by dinner in local restaurants but you’ll need to speak up or have a word with the approachable rabbi if you’re on your own and wish to join a group as formal announcements aren’t always made and people tend to make their own arrangements. In this respect it’s a little less open than other Friday night restaurant-going groups. Three times a year the services are followed by dinner at the shul.
This is a good entry-level service, inclusive and friendly and a good place to start if you are new to town or indeed to Judaism and would like to meet people. It’s fine to be late but the service itself isn’t that long so don’t be too late. The later start time and central location are a plus for some and a minus for others who have been heard to complain that they have a long wait for dinner if they don’t want to go to a restaurant on a Friday night and prefer to head home instead. The choice is yours...