After 15 years as our Rabbi, Rabbi David Mason left this week to start his new role as Executive Director of Hias and JCore.

The send-off for the Mason family included a young families’ event, a picnic with cheder families, a Shabbat Service and Kiddush attended by local dignitaries including Haringey MP Catherine West and Councillor Ajda Ovat, the Deputy  Mayor of Haringey, as well as Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Speakers from across local faith groups including Bibi Khan Deputy Lord Lt and Chair of Wightman Road Mosque praised Rabbi David for his inclusive attitude and pioneering work as Chair of the Haringey Multi Faith .

A women’s Mincha and Seudah was held to celebrate Elisheva Mason and particularly her achievements in increasing opportunities for women’s prayer at Muswell Hill synagogue. She has been instrumental in developing the women’s Megillah readings and for Bat Mitzvah girls to leading women’s services.

The finale of the events was a dinner for members on Sunday 21st May including sketches, a song by the Mason family and a performance by the Muswell Hill Shul band featuring Rabbi David on lead vocals for songs such as “I wish it could be Shabbat every day” 

A message from London Mayor Sadiq Khan was played at the event where he wished the Rabbi the best of luck and praised him on his interfaith work in Haringey.

Daniel Shaw Chair of Muswell Hill Synagogue said "Rabbi David, Elisheva and the Mason Family gave 15 years of outstanding service to Muswell Hill Synagogue and the wider Community. We wanted to give the Mason Family the best send-off possible. The enthusiasm with which everyone joined in the events of their leaving tour is a measure of the respect and affection in which Rabbi David and the Mason Family are held by the whole Community."