We have a full calendar of Chapels each half-term at Mill Hill, and the whole-school input last week was led by our 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, speaking about the customs and traditions of Jewish New Year, with particular regard to reflecting on mistakes and setting ambitious goals for the future. David P (Atkinson) skilfully made the link between this process 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 featured – 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 our School community. The design of the Chapel changed in response to this, 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 have sadly become all too common in London and around the country. We heard an extract from the Prime Minister’s speech in response to the Manchester attack, in which he showed solidarity with the Jewish Community and committed to do more to protect them. It ended with a pledge for us to do everything we can to tackle antisemitism at the source, and stand strongly and collectively against this pernicious behaviour.

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