Connecting Women: A very exciting Women’s Shabbat at Finsbury Park United Synagogue

This past Shabbat (Beshalach), at Finsbury Park United Synagogue was truly exciting and uplifting celebration of women, community, and connection. As part of the United Synagogue’s “connecting Women” theme, the Shabbat highlighted the vital role women play in sustaining, enriching, and inspiring synagogue life.

We wanted to do something different that can truly engage with the actual theme. We wanted and achieved a halachic inclusion of women taking part in the Shabbat service.

The most special aspects of this Shabbat were the increased participation of women within the framework of services.

From behind the mehitza clear and thoughtful explanations of each aliyah in English were read. These explanations, taken from the Daf Hashavua and read by Miss N Segal before each aliyah, allowed the entire congregation to engage more deeply with the Torah reading. This was a unique and powerful addition in terms of a women reading the Aliyah summary (as the men usually do every week all year round). This was introduced by Rabbi Scharf and by doing this, it makes Shabbat service more accessible and inclusive, and helping bridge understanding across generations and at all levels of learning.

Mrs Z Charing read the prayer for the State of Israel in Hebrew, as she faithfully does every Shabbat – a constant and deeply valued presence in our tefillot. In addition, our chair Maytal read the Prayer for the Royal Family.

At Kiddush, the community had the opportunity to honour four outstanding women (N’shei Chayil) – N Segal, F Roos, Z Charing and Rebbetzin Scharf – each recognised and awarded a certificate for their dedication, effort, and meaningful contribution to Finsbury Park United Synagogue. Their commitment and presence every Shabbat reflect the quiet female strength that helps a community connect and flourish.