Torah Portion:	Vayechi
Synagogue:	Hamayan (Carlebach style, Orthodox)
Walking time from home:	20 minutes
Reason for going:	Close and homely
Kiddush:	Small but plentiful

Some shules distinguish themselves by their grandeur, others by their rabbi or people, and still others by their location. Given the variety of synagogues we have in Melbourne, Hamayan distinguishes itself mostly by the singing that emanates from within its walls. 

Situated in a nondescript converted private house that is only noticeable as a house of worship to those walking past by a plaque on one outside wall, the discernible musicality remains the hallmark of the current iteration of Hamayan. The community has had numerous guises over many years, though singing has been at the core of all of them. As such, the chazan (cantor) is somewhat redundant at times because most of the congregants become unofficial choristers or harmonisers, even during prayers that would otherwise not be sung or chanted aloud in other shules.

Because of this distinct nature, the congregants and the variety of rabbis over the years has been decidedly mixed. Unlike most shules, that have a specific stream that they adhere to, Hamayan has had a Charedi rabbi with a shtreimel (a fur hat), numerous Chabad rabbis, and now a dynamic, young modern orthodox rabbi. All of them have brought their own style, but all of them have also embraced the musicality of the place. And this is true of the congregants too. Whilst the majority are orthodox and quite observant, the shule also attracts secular Jews who in times gone by may have been called hippies, or others too who simply enjoy the ‘happy clappy’ nature of the shule

I don’t often come to Hamayan and I think that this distinctive nature of the shule would annoy me or detract from the service if I did come every week – despite the fact that I like hearing a good cantor. But I do love that a shule like this exists – a shule with a niche and a style of its own. It might be nondescript on the outside, but it is certainly not bashful on the inside.

This week the rabbi was away, but the service was still longer than it might have been in other shules because of the singing. For me, as an irregular visitor, it was enjoyable and fun, and all the regulars who were in town made me feel welcome. In fact, the shule always makes visitors feel welcomed, and they even had a card with my name on it from the last time I visited, so that they could call me up to the Torah with my full Hebrew name. On top of that, on this hot summer’s day, there was air conditioning and a small, nice kiddush after the service.

Though the rabbi was away, there was still a short talk about the portion, which is the final one of the book of Bereishit (Genesis) and the portion where Jacob dies. Though it is also, as we heard, about re-framing. Whereas in last week’s portion, Joseph and his brothers barely recognised each other, this week on the deathbed of their father, they reunite and re-frame their relationships. This is a lesson for all of us – that there is always a chance to reconcile and change the status quo.

This week for me is also one of change, because I will be spending the next ten days – including next Shabbat – in New York. It will hopefully be a chance to learn and explore, whilst hopefully not being too cold. I’m not sure that I will be at a shule with so much singing next week, but no doubt it will still be an enjoyable and exciting experience.