Synagogue sets Adon Olam world record to mark 75th birthday

Pinner Synagogue broke an unofficial world record this week, singing Adon Olam to 75 different tunes, in celebration of its 75^th birthday.

The event, the conclusion of a catalogue of occasions to mark the milestone birthday of the Cecil Park community, saw members come together in groups for the one-day musical marathon, aptly named the Adon Olam-athon.

Alternative tunes included the more traditional Anim Zemirot, Shir Hamaalot and Dovid Melech Yisroel alongside some unique versions such as When I’m 64, It’s A Small World and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

Participants ranged from the synagogue’s Board of Management to the Brownies, Cubs and Scouts, the Pinner Ladies Book Club and Rabbi Danny Bergson, alongside many more. In total, more than 100 people took part across 27 different groups.

Concluding the day was children from Pinner’s Moriah Jewish Day School, who led the 200-strong audience in renditions of Adon Olam to the tunes of Any Dream Will Do and Castle On A Cloud, from Joseph and Les Miserables respectively.

Following this, a new tune, composed by Pinner Synagogue member Judith Harris for the congregation, was given its musical unveiling. And to close, all attendees sang one final Adon Olam, to the tune of Happy Birthday.

Organiser Ashley Reece was delighted with the end result. “When the Adon Olam-athon idea was mooted as part of our big birthday celebrations, we had no idea if we could actually pull this off.

“But the buy-in from across the entire community, from individual members to shul groups and user groups has been absolutely phenomenal.

“Together they created the most incredible atmosphere, totally befitting of the warm and inviting community we are and a wonderful tribute to the 75 years that have brought us to today.”

And this sentiment was echoed by Rabbi Bergson. “Adon Olam has been part of the Shabbat liturgy for centuries expressing our core Jewish beliefs. It is both very powerful and very humbling to witness and be a part of such a key event in our community’s history where we can come together as one with the message of this song at its core.”