Gay choir marks first Jewish community collaboration

Europe’s largest gay male-voice choir has announced that its first major collaboration with the Jewish community will be in December, marking both Chanukah and World AIDS Day, writes Stephen Oryszczuk.

The London Gay Men’s Chorus (LGMC) will perform in a special concert on 1 December at West London Synagogue, with up to 100 voices filling the Italian-Moorish style sanctuary.

The concert will be called Al HaNissim – a night of miracles – and will be led by Rabbi David Mitchell.

In preparation, the choir has created a special programme, including the Chanukah song Over the Skies of Israel, What I Did for Love from the show A Chorus Line, and the iconic I’m Getting Married in the Morning.

Senior Rabbi of West London Synagogue, Baroness Julia Neuberger said: “I am thrilled that my community has taken the initiative in collaborating with the London Gay Men’s Chorus. We are enormously proud to be partnering the Chorus in its first major partnership with the Jewish community. There could scarcely be a better symbol of West London Synagogue’s inclusive philosophy and day-to-day practice than this remarkable service and concert, marking both World AIDS Day and the fifth night of Chanukah.”

Rabbi David Mitchell added: “Our collaboration with the London Gay Men’s Chorus on World Aids Day 2013 gives us the chance to share our unique resources and heritage with the wider community, and to take a further small step towards healing the world.”

John Carrion of LGMC echoed the sentiments, saying: “From the very first discussions, West London Synagogue has welcomed us as family.”

Photography: LGMC/Michael Cheetham