Chapels

We’re proud to share that the whole-school Chapels in the week commencing 6 October were led by the School’s Jewish Society (JSoc), highlighting the value and importance to them of the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Pupil societies at Mill Hill are increasingly leading Chapels in this way, and this was a great example.

A number of JSoc pupils participated during the week and they spoke about the customs and traditions at Jewish New Year, particularly with regard to reflecting and repenting for sins and setting ambitious goals for the future. David P (Atkinson) skilfully made the link between this exercise and the work that each pupil should undertake with regard to their academic studies at the start of a new year. As is often the case with Millhillians, the topic of food was much mentioned – both in terms of the sacrifice that comes with fasting and the pleasure of the ‘ugat dvash’ (or honey cake) that symbolises the hope for a sweet year ahead.

The Chapels took on a far greater significance in the aftermath of the Heaton Park Synagogue attack which happened just days before, and was felt deeply by many in our School community. In response to this, the design of the Chapel evolved to include an exposition on the appalling rise in antisemitism in the UK in recent years. Mr Berg led this section, and highlighted the types of antisemitic tropes and rhetoric that has sadly become all too common in London and around the country. We heard an extract from the Prime Minister’s recent speech in response to the attacks, in which he showed strong solidarity with the Jewish Community and committed to do more to protect them. It ended with a pledge for us to do everything we could to tackle antisemitism at the source, and stand strongly and collectively against this pernicious behaviour.

We’d like to congratulate the JSoc pupils for a great Chapel – in particular Amelia H, David P, Noah S, Jesse H, Tal S and Lucie S for their contributions. This is one of the most active and vibrant pupil societies at Mill Hill and we are stronger for the diversity they and other societies bring to our community.