A Student Rabbi’s sermon on the eve of his wedding
On the morning of 26th October 2019, our community celebrated a very special Shabbat. A packed congregation was present to see the ‘Aufruf’ of Gabriel Webber and his fiancé Manuella Kanter; the calling up to the Torah for the first time as a couple prior to their wedding early next month.
Gabriel grew up in the KLS community. He had his baby blessing, Bar Mitzvah and Kabbalat Torah with us. Many members of the congregation were there for all three occasions and, for them, yesterday’s service was particularly special.
Gabriel is now studying to become a Rabbi at Leo Baeck college. His fiancé, Manuella, is an Oxford graduate and maths teacher who attends New North London Synagogue.
Gabriel delivered the Dvar Torah – his commentary on the week’s Torah portion. It was a witty and thought-provoking sermon addressing the idea of personal property through the story of Cain and Abel with reference to comedian John Finnemore’s sketch about daffodils and goats.
You can read his full sermon here.
Speaking after the service, Rabbi René Pfertzel said “this is such a wonderful and proud moment for our community. Seeing this young man, who grew up with us, delivering an intelligent and powerful sermon, just as he is about to be married, is a really momentous occasion”