Who's Who Forum

 

This page was last updated on: Thursday, 11 March 2010

 

Read comments from members of our Executive and Council.

 

Chair's Message - by Lewis Miller

The Guild - by Diana Miller

Welfare - by Sue Levitas

 

 

Chair's Message by Lewis Miller

 

Hello! With Pesach fast approaching I would like to wish you all a very happy Passover. The synagogue will be holding the annual communal Seder on the second night starting at 7.00pm (not 6.00pm as previously advertised). It will be led as normal by Rabbi Warren Elf and you can expect to have an enjoyable and fun service. There are further details and a booking form enclosed within the magazine. I urge you to book your place early as there are only a strictly limited number of places available, with members having priority.

Recently I attended a games evening at the synagogue where there were board, card and computer games. It was enjoyable and was attended by over thirty people including one member who managed to win one million pounds on the computer version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'. It was a fun evening put on by the Social Sub-Committee and hopefully there will be more to follow. More details of other events appear throughout the magazine.

I would also like to bring to your attention a new members service which will be held on Friday, 30th April 2010 for all our new members who have joined since the last one some eighteen months ago. The service will be followed by a Kiddush and I look forward to meeting everyone.

On Sunday, 23rd May 2010 there will be an open-day entitled 'A Taste of 21st Century Judaism', where we hope to put our synagogue on the map and encourage people within the surrounding areas to join our membership. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let them know and bring them along.

There are many events being planned and the Council are working very hard to make this a buzzing synagogue community. Indeed if you would like to get involved in any way, either contact me or a member of the Council, you will be made very welcome and your help will be very much appreciated. Contact details can be found on the inside front cover.

Hopefully with the worst of the winter behind us and the weather getting warmer I look forward to an increased attendance at services.

Again wishing you all the best,

Lewis Miller

Chair.

Return to top of page.

 

 

The Guild by Diana Miller

It has been a very quiet couple of months due to the winter weather although we have carried on regardless preparing our weekly Shabbat Kiddushim, although sometimes for a very small congregation. Hopefully now the snow has disappeared and the temperatures are returning to above zero our attendances may improve. We had a lovely Kiddush prepared for New Year's Day in the hope members would venture out but only five of us turned up. It was minus five by the time we left the synagogue.

My thanks must go to Laura and David Sears and also Shirley DePass for preparing the Kiddush for Louis Taylor's (pictured right with his fiancée, Naomi) Auf Ruf. Unfortunately Sue and I were both sick on the day. Luckily David stepped in to fill the breach.

It was with regret that the decision was made to cancel the Chanukah supper due to the heavy snow, which was a great shame as over fifty people had said that they would attend.

This year myself and Sue are both unavailable due to work restrictions to prepare the communal Seder, but thankfully Barbara Goldstein helped by Denise Phillips will be taking over the helm which I am sure is very much appreciated by all those who will be attending.

It is so easy to be pessimistic and get upset at the poor attendances on Erev Shabbat. I know I do on a regular basis but I would like to go into the remainder of 2010 on a positive note. Lets make the synagogue one we can truly be proud of and stop considering ourselves as the second synagogue in town. Lets become number one if only in the eyes of our members.

I would very much like to revive the old custom we used to have of celebrating our joys and milestones with the congregation and will be happy to prepare a Kiddush however small any Erev Shabbat if needed. We can also arrange for an Aliyah or blessing if you would like one to celebrate either a birthday or an anniversary. Just give me a ring on 01702 - 464 919 (evenings only) or drop an email to either Laura or I at millerd@southendreform.co.uk or searsl@southendreform.co.uk.

Best wishes,

Diana Miller 

Hon. Secretary and Guild.

 

Return to top of page.

 

 

Welfare by Sue Levitas

 

Once again I am pleased to report that we have few welfare issues at the moment and the vast majority of our members are in good health. However, we send our best wishes to Trudi Marriott who is currently in hospital as I write this.

Don't forget to get in touch with Rabbi Warren Elf or myself if you are unwell or know of someone who would appreciate a visit at home or hospital. Our contact details can be found on the inside front cover of the magazine.

It was interesting to note that during the Haiti disaster the Orthodox Israeli aid workers when asked why they were working on Shabbat said saving lives was of paramount importance and takes precedence over all else.

Thinking along this theme, how many of you are on the Organ Donor Register or carry a Donor Card? You can register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. You can also join when you are:

Did you know that only 4% of the population regularly gives blood. To get more information check out www.blood.co.uk or contact the same telephone number above.

On a lighter note, we have organised another 'Afternoon with Alex Samos' for Sunday, 6th June 2010 at 2pm for our senior members as last year's was so successful. Please book early.

Our next special Shabbat service to celebrate with those senior members who have special birthdays in the year has been tentatively booked for Saturday, 9th October 2010. Invitations will be sent out later in the year to those celebrants.

 

Sue Levitas

Welfare.

 

P.S: What a coincidence - after writing this I saw, in last week's JC, an article saying that in Israel under a new law people carrying donor cards will now receive priority if they need an organ transplant.

 

 

 

 

Return to top of page.

 

 

 

 

Return to Southend and District Reform Synagogue Homepage

 

Hit Counter