For the past 28 years, Ruth Jampel has been an active member of Muswell Hill United Synagogue. Having taken on a variety of roles including running toddler and children’s services, being on the shul council for youth, and interfaith work, she is now the Women’s Officer – a role she has been dedicated to for the past five years.
As one of the only women on the executive, Ruth plays an important role in ensuring that women’s perspectives are represented in all areas of shul life.
“Women come to me with ideas or concerns that they want me to advocate for. My role is to make sure their voices are heard,” Ruth says.
Ruth works closely with Rebbetzen Tracey Rosenfeld-Schueler, collaborating on a number of projects throughout the year. Ruth organises and leads women’s services, helps coordinate Bat Mitzvah services, and runs the annual Purim Megillah reading. This year’s reading saw almost 70 women taking part.
She also organises a variety of educational and social programmes, including women’s events, shiurim, Rosh Chodesh groups featuring guest speakers, and takes part in a monthly women’s Shabbat discussion group, and also regularly attends United Synagogue Women’s Officer events. Every Shavuot, she leads an annual celebration honouring the community’s N’shei Chayil.
During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, she works to ensure that women are able to contribute by creating opportunities to speak at various points in the services. Another way in which the shul has made a difference to women’s engagement is by expanding the mechitzah so that women can sit closer to the services.
“This community’s women are amazing. They participate, they show up, and they are incredibly supportive. I feel very thankful for all their help. It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to serve in this role,” Ruth says.
“The rabbinic team, wardens and executive are all very supportive and genuinely want women to have a voice. In this shul, we do as much as we can to promote women’s participation within the framework of the United Synagogue. It’s an important part of who we are.”
