The Grand Wedding Reunion, 20th May 2001 Susan Hayman

Everyone thought it was a very good idea, so, the advertisements went in the JC and the LJN, the e-mails, letters and phone calls started pouring in, acknowledgements went out, the hall was booked so was the florist, photographers, chazan and choir. Food was ordered. Caretaker put on standby, security arranged. The Rabbi worked out the Order of Service and leaflets on the history of the Synagogue were put out.

"What shall I wear?", I wondered. "Comfortable shoes because I'll be on my feet most of the day". "Must make sure the shul shines, put the red carpet outside (hope it doesn't rain), polish the brass. For some of the guests it will be the first time they've been back. Must make sure the waitresses know how to lay the tables". Fortunately there was no table plan to worry about and no broiguses.

What am I talking about? The Wedding Reunion, held on Sunday, 20th May 2001. About two hundred couples plus members of their families came to the shul (there was a queue outside when we opened the doors), and it must be a record that the Synagogue Chairman, Senior Warden and Financial Representative had all been married in the New West End, and they and their wives enjoyed the afternoon as much as everyone else.

The Service was beautiful, the chazan excelled himself, the choir were on form and the Rabbi gave an excellent sermon mentioning that over three and a half thousand weddings had been held in the Synagogue since it opened in 1879. There were at least three couples who had celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary and that particular day was the wedding anniversary of two couples.

The chupah was in the vestibule and beautifully decorated with sweet peas, roses and carnations and everyone had to walk under it to go into the shul. Lots of people brought cameras, and the atmosphere was very happy.

We asked people to send in a copy of their wedding photograph which we put on our Synagogue website - they are still there for those of you who have not seen them. The tea afterwards in the Herbert Samuel Hall gave everyone an opportunity to reminisce and we had prepared photocopies of the civil marriage certificates for those people we knew were coming.

All in all a busy day for the Synagogue and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for our visitors.

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