Finchley Reform’s Shabbat B’yachad celebrates 10 years
The community at Finchley Reform Synagogue celebrated the 10th anniversary of their monthly inclusive service, Shabbat B’yachad.
Shabbat B’yachad is specifically designed to be accessible to people with profound learning disabilities, who may not otherwise feel comfortable in a synagogue service setting, while also offering a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who attends.
This special FRS community is run by the synagogue’s Senior Clergy, Cantor Zoe Jacobs, who spent time learning from congregations in North America while on sabbatical.
She explains: “I had heard about a service taking place at Rodeph Sholom in Manhattan. I went along and spoke afterwards with their clergy team, and was inspired to bring the idea back to FRS.”
The FRS team pulled together experts in their community, including a specialist teacher, social worker and members of families with the most experience of profound special needs, and from this they learned a whole new language.
Creating a service that included Makaton, sign language, appropriate music and sensory options, they then launched Shabbat B’yachad to see if there was an interest in the community and have never looked back – even adding a B’yachad service on Yom Kippur to fill the need of such an important part of the congregation.
Cantor Zoe added: “We learned how underserved this community was at that time, and imagined how hard it might be as an adult with profound special needs to find a space that wasn’t intended only for children. Families shared with us that they had stopped attending synagogue after their loved one was a teenager because they couldn’t find a safe space for them to be there together.”
The service is structured to provide multi-sensory experiences and physical engagement, ensuring that everyone can connect with their Judaism in a way that is meaningful to them. While it uses a lot of music, it also welcomes the members as part of the band, giving out instruments for certain parts of the service, and includes the ideas of the congregation to understand more about specific prayers.
Whether those in attendance take a leading role or just soak up the atmosphere, B’yachad ensures that everyone has a part to play.
The service which celebrated its 10th year at the weekend is a testament to the synagogue’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, creating a space where all members of the community can come together to celebrate Shabbat.
Cantor Zoe said: “B’yachad is more than just a service; it is a vibrant expression of faith and community, where every individual is valued and included. Our incredible B’yachad leadership team continue to offer an extraordinary and much-needed service, and our community is so much richer for having members of all ages, abilities and needs involved.”
Similar services also run at Reform and Liberal communities across the country, please contact your local congregation to find out more.
