Shuls around the country will have the bunting up and Victoria sponges out for the kiddush as they mark the coronation with prayers for the new king.

While Orthodox synagogues will be unable to show the proceedings at Westminster Abbey, they will be marking the royal occasion in other ways.

A new melody for Adon Olam, composed by Immanuel College director of music Stephen Levey, has been commissioned by The United Synagogue.

The premiere of the new version of the hymn featured a choir of 200 schoolchildren, with Levey saying: “We hope that this new adaptation will bring joy and inspiration to all who hear it.”

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has produced a 12-page booklet to be used during services, which includes verses from the Hallel — traditionally sung on festivals — and a special prayer for the monarch to be said in addition to the weekly Prayer for the Royal Family.

Marie van der Zyl

Marie van der Zyl

The prayer begins: “Eternal God, who laid the foundations of the Earth and fixed its dimensions, whose presence dwells with all creation, we stand together at this solemn and historic hour to celebrate the coronation of a new King, Charles III.”

It goes on: “We ask You, O God, to sustain and support the King’s service to this nation, to the realms and to the Commonwealth; endow him with righteousness that he may do justly.

“Let him champion the lowly among the people, deliver the needy and rebuke those who wrong them.

“May he foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely.” Rabbi Paul Freedman of Radlett Reform Synagogue has also prepared a short prayer for Reform communities, while the cantor, Sarah Grabiner, has recorded the National Anthem in Hebrew.

Rabbi Alexandra Wright of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St Johns’ Wood, has also written a special prayer, and The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations has asked synagogues to include a prayer for the monarch this week.

Rabbi Miriam Berger, of Finchley Reform Synagogue, and her 12-year-old son Ben have been busy all week preparing versions of Rule Britannia and the National Anthem for the liturgy.

She hopes the service will make her congregation feel part of the wider event.

Rabbi Miriam Berger

Rabbi Miriam Berger

She said: “Watching the TV is a passive experience whereas a Shabbat service which acknowledges that it is happening parallel to the coronation makes it an active experience. I hope my members will always remember that they were in shul during this historic moment which will make it memorable in a different way.”

At the United Hebrew Congregation in Leeds Rabbi Alby Chait plans to introduce some novel tunes into the liturgy.

Apart from more obvious choices such as Land of Hope and Glory, his repertoire will also include Space Man, the UK’s Eurovision entry last year, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

A recipient of an MBE from the then-Prince Charles in recognition of his work during the pandemic, Rabbi Chait said: “He has been and continues to be a source of immense friendship to the Jewish community.

“I have been with him twice in the last few months and his interest in me as a rabbi and communal leader was truly uplifting and overwhelming.”

The S & P Sephardi Community, the Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council will next week hold a combined service at the country’s oldest synagogue, Bevis Marks in London .

Bevis.png

Bevis Marks Synagogue

Elsewhere Belmont Synagogue’s bank holiday coronation tea will includes lessons in archery to mark the festival of Lag ba’Omer, which begins on Monday night.

Several synagogues will also be holding early services on Shabbat so they are finished before the coronation begins.

West London Synagogue, the country’s oldest Reform congregation, is bringing its Shabbat morning service forward. It is due to start an hour and 45 minutes earlier at 9.15 am to allow time for “a street party-style kiddush”.

Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue has also scheduled an earlier start and is inviting members to join together afterwards “to enjoy a live stream of the coronation… ” as well as offering competitions, including a prize for the best coronation hat.