The Rabbi's Comment

This page was last updated on: Sunday, 16 October 2011

 Thinking Back and Looking Forward by Rabbi Warren Elf

For me personally and for us as a community the last twelve months have been a busy and exciting year. I have become more involved in certain ventures, especially the area of Israel and Palestine, and we helped to lead a first discussion in Southend on this in a cross-communal setting with representatives of different faiths.

Here at SDRS there have been several positive developments this year. The Thursday night social club has moved to Tuesday nights (although is now on a winter break until March 2012) and is thriving, as the Chalkwell Club continues to do on alternate Sundays with even more of our members. We have had another successful Supper Quiz, Special Birthday Service and a Chavurah Supper for Yom Ha'Atzmaut, celebrating 63 years of Israeli Independence, with plenty of very tasty food.

We have made three more Jack Petchey Award winners in the last year, the latest three being Laura Caplan, Lauren Avery and Natalie Watson. The full list of winners is on a board in the entrance hall of the synagogue and with the money that goes along with the awards we have purchased more sports and entertainment equipment for our young (and, if they ask nicely, not so young) people to use.

Our children and parents went on a guided East End walk, starting at Bevis Marks Synagogue, through Petticoat Lane, passed a host of key sites in small East End streets, leading to Brick Lane and finishing at Toynbee Hall. Adults and children had a great day, even the quite young children, who walked well and even asked and answered some good and challenging questions.

Due to popular request we are arranging another guided East End Walk, led by Eleanor Bloom, for adults. This is arranged for Sunday, 9^th October 2011 (the day after Yom Kippur!) and we will either start at Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street for a fascinating look at the history of the Jewish East End and its impact for us and our communities today. Please let me know if you are interested.

Our Community Shabbaton in July was a well attended and very enjoyable event. We welcomed Ben Rich, the new Head of our Movement for Reform Judaism, who chatted with us about his hopes for the movement and feedback he has received so far from communities. Lewis led a fun exercise after that to help us focus on what we want from and for our community and Delia explained and launched' our Neighbourhood Group scheme.

After a couple of meetings for group leaders and some initial contact with some groups, it looks as though our neighbourhood groups will provide an exciting boost for our community. Watch out for coffee mornings or tea parties or other social gatherings and a variety of social activities prompted by some of these groups in the next year. We hope you will all get a call to say hi and how are you.

Our little adult study group has met regularly after the Shabbat morning service and our study and discussions have been intriguing and taken us to all sorts of interesting themes and topics. Anyone who wants to join us is more than welcome - no previous Jewish or Hebrew knowledge is required.

SDRS has had a stall at various events, including the annual 'Big Event' thanks to Pat and Shirley, Della, Ken and Denise. Our profile in the community is increasing all the time. This year we hope to have even more activities and outings. SDRS looks as though it is becoming an active and exciting community to be part of. Well done and thank you to all of you who are helping to make his happen.

I wish all of you, all of us and our families, a good, healthy and sweet New Year, spiritually, socially and intellectually.

L'Shanah Tovah Tikateivu v'Teichateimu.

Rabbi Warren Elf

September 2011.

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