3 May 2017

Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) celebrated 10 years of Shabbat Resouled, with music, song and a chavurah supper.

More than 200 people attended a musical Kabbalat Shabbat service, a true mark of the success of the first dedicated ‘prayer band’ in the UK Jewish community.

Shabbat Resouled was set up by Rabbi Neil Janes and Dean Staker a decade ago, based on the suggestion of Martin Borish. Martin had seen Craig Taubman’s ‘Friday Night Live’ at a synagogue in the USA and thought something similar would boost FPS’s Friday night attendance.

He was right and the Shabbat Resouled band have since played at Limmud Conference, the Liberal Judaism Biennial Weekend and other Progressive communities in England, Scotland and even Switzerland.

Dean and Beverley Aarons are the only founding members still in the band, although Michelle Facey comes a close second with nine year’s standing. Most of the current members have been in Shabbat Resouled for at least five years.

Three of the original line-up – Leah Katz, Jo Israel and Student Rabbi Hannah Kingston – returned for the celebratory service, lighting the Shabbat candles.

Dean said: “Shabbat Resouled has been able to reach this landmark through the extraordinary dedication of all the band members, past and present, and the continued support of the wonderful FPS community.

“I would especially like to thank all our loyal ‘Resouled-nik’ groupies, some of whom attend without fail every month, and many of whom have followed us from day one.

“Here’s to the next 10 years!”

Shabbat Resouled services are held at Finchley Progressive Synagogue on the third Friday of every month at 6.30pm. All are welcome to attend. An album, called Shabbat Resouled, is available for download on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play or to stream via Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited and other streaming sites.

Follow Shabbat Resouled and Finchley Progressive Synagogue on Facebook to find out more.

Pictures by Ariel J Friedlander