SDRS supports 'Out of the Box 5'

Allan and I agreed to open the synagogue for two Wednesdays. We were originally told we just had to show people around, but as the first open day neared we found out it was more than just giving a tour. In fact, just two days before the first Wednesday, we found out there were seventy school children coming for one hour and six adults for the second hour!

Although my knowledge of our religion is quite good, I still spent some time on the Internet researching the meaning of Sukkot and various other aspects of Judaism, which I could talk about. My former occupation as an infant teacher stood me in good stead. Allan served as doorman and security. The Sukkah was still in the synagogue, together with the Lulav and Etrog and this gave me quite a lot to speak about.

On Wednesday, 15th October 2008 (our first week), at just after 1.30pm a large bus arrived with sixty 'Year 5' pupils from St. Thomas Catholic School in Southend together with teachers and helpers. For the first half an hour, we sat them in front of the Sukkah (pictured right) and I explained about the festival of Sukkot and showed them how we shake the Lulav and Etrog.

I also talked about the various other festivals that had just passed and Simchat Torah, which occurred the following week. Allan and our friends were able to add comments too. The children asked loads of questions. I explained further about Yom Kippur and how we fast, one of the children asked me if I had fasted. I explained that because of my medication I had not fasted, but Allan had and always did fast.

For the second half hour, we moved the group to the Bimah. Allan had been keen to open the ark before the children arrived, but I disagreed, as we'd lose the WOW factor. How right that was! As I opened the curtains there was a large gasp of amazement from the children. We didn't take a Sefer Torah out as it was too crowded to manage but again the children asked lots of questions. They wanted to know what the inscriptions were on the silver shields of the Torahs. I also said some blessings in Hebrew.

They asked about the 'everlasting light', which led onto a talk about Chanukah and I showed them a Menorah. Finally the children wanted to know whether we had a traditional greeting when meeting a fellow Jew, so I explained about saying 'Shalom'. When the hour was over, the children were all saying 'Shalom' and thanking us for a most interesting hour, which we were so appreciative of.

In the second hour, five adults visited. Again, they were extremely interested in all the facts. I explained again about the Sukkah and went through the same procedure as with the children. Their questions were obviously more thought provoking.

One man explained that he was an atheist, but was very interested in all religions, whilst a young mum who was pregnant and had her little girl with her too, told us that her mother's mother was Jewish. I explained that our religion is matriarchal and therefore in the eyes of Judaism she would be regarded as Jewish. She was very surprised at this. Again, the visit lasted for the whole hour and we found so many things to talk about and explain.

On Wednesday, 22nd October 2008 (our second week), 'Out of the Box 5' was a disappointment. We just had two men who came at 1.30pm. One was a Southend Council employee who was in charge of a group of people with disabilities and he was finding out about their various religions in order to help them get in touch with their own faiths. The other gentleman was a trainee social worker. However both men were very interested. We were able to show them the Sukkah and this time we took out one of the Sefer Torahs and unwrapped it to show them.

All in all, it was a great experience for all of us. I really enjoyed undertaking the research and I learnt facts and information I did not know before. It took me back to my teaching days and talking to the children made me realise that although I was glad I was no longer working what I had missed most was the rapport with my pupils.

Barbara and Allan Goldstein (SDRS Council Members).

Return to Southend and District Reform Synagogue Homepage