Mill Hill Celebrates Young, Old

Both the young and old celebrated Chanukah this year in the Mill Hill community in London.

The annual “Baby Blesing Ceremony” took place in the morning with another 38 babies ka”h born this past year in the community – taking the number up to more than 600 babies born since the inception of this ceremony 15 years ago.

The event, organized by shliach Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet is always well attended by parents, grandparents and other family members, with some 300 in attendance.

This year, a surprise visit by the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis added more gravitas to the event. The Chief Rabbi praised the community as a “leading light in Anglo Jewry.”

Later that same afternoon, the residents of Sydmar Lodge, a retirement home in Mill Hill, were joined by their families and dignitaries including the Mayor of Barnet and Member of Parliament Matthew Offord.

The residents put on their first ever concert “The Sydmar Singers” and Rabbi Schochet, who is chaplain to the home, did the Chanukah lighting with them.

“In this year of Hakhel,” Schochet said, “we wanted to really reach across the age range from youngest oldest and make this a most memorable experience for all.”