First
of all I would like to wish all of our members and readers a Happy New Year and
well over the Fast.
This page was last updated on: Friday, 12 September 2008
Read comments from members of our Executive and Council.
Chair's Message - by Lewis Miller
Vice Chair's Message - by Sue Levitas
Chair of R and P's Message - by Phillip Freedman
Can you help? - by Diana Miller
Chair's Message by Lewis Miller
First
of all I would like to wish all of our members and readers a Happy New Year and
well over the Fast.
It is of course the start of a very busy time at the synagogue. The preparation for the High Holydays involves quite a lot of work with a number of tasks having to be undertaken, such as the organisation of the services, the allocation of Mitzvot, the printing and allocation of tickets, the cleaning of the silver and changing of curtains and Torah covers. Many people are busying themselves with these tasks. Synagogue preparations will take place on Sunday, 28th September 2008 from 10.15am onwards during cheder.
Following the High Holydays we then have the festivals of Sukkot (which includes the building of the Sukkah on Sunday, 12th October 2008 from 10.30am) and Simchat Torah. Our recipients for Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit are Pam Marks and Molly Sloman. I know the services are mid week but it would be really nice if our members and their families could come along and support those taking the services. Dates and details of all the services can be found on the back page of the magazine.
I reported at our recent Annual General Meeting that there was a possibility of a good opportunity for the synagogue as we had been approached by some property developers, to see if we were interested in selling and becoming part of new developments on our current location. Unfortunately we have now been informed the developers no longer wish for our building to be part of the developments and their interest has waned.
This means that the synagogue will be undergoing a maintenance programme this year, which will include some of the projects mentioned last year such as refurbishing the ladies loo and replacing the hall doors.
Finally the Council has undergone some restructuring with various sub-committees being set up to look after particular areas of the synagogue. These include: - Financial, Guild, Rites and Practices, Welfare, Social and Community and Building. This will give the opportunity for people outside of the council to become involved without having to serve on council.
If you are interested in any of these areas please contact me by telephone on 01702 - 464 919 (evenings only), via e-mail or have a chat with me before or after services.
Best wishes,
Chair.
Vice Chair's Message - by Sue Levitas
The
High Holidays are with us once again, which means one year is ending and another
beginning. What has 5768 meant to you and what will 5769 hold?
Since the last magazine we had another very successful Communal 2nd Night Seder service/dinner. As usual thanks go to Rabbi Warren Elf and the Guild for all their hard work.
Following on from local publicity regarding their plight for funding, we held a quiz night in May in support of Fair Havens Hospice and recently handed over a cheque to them for £900. Again thanks to all those helpers and guests for their hard work and support.
We held our Annual General Meeting in July. Apart from the Executive, Council Members and Trustees it was very poorly attended. It does surprise me that the synagogue holds an awful lot of member's money in both unrestricted and burial funds, but so few seemed concerned. I am pleased to say that last years Council stood for re-election, headed by Lewis Miller. Diana Miller is back as Hon. Secretary and we have now co-opted Ken Phillips, a Shukkat Shalom ex-member, who has a wealth of knowledge on synagogue administration and finance.
As this year is Israel's 60th birthday we thought we would have a celebratory 'Special Birthday' Shabbat Service/Kiddush on Saturday, 22nd November 2008 and are inviting all those members with special birthdays of 75, 80, 85 or 90 years. Please come and join in the special celebrations. Special invitations are being sent out soon to the birthday 'girls and boys'.
With regard to welfare, Rabbi Elf, Terry and I have tried to keep in contact and visit as many as we can. Please remember if we don't know that someone is ill or in hospital we cannot do anything. In the coming year we want to make welfare a priority and focus will be given to an outreach project. Several members will help in contacting members and provide calls and assistance where needed. If you have some spare time, even just to make a few phone calls, please give me a ring on 01702 - 711 116 (evenings and weekends only please).
One subject that always comes up is transport to/from synagogue. If you are coming to a service, particularly the HHD's, Sukkot and Simchat Torah and have seats available in your car please let us know. There are several elderly members who have no transport and would really appreciate a lift. If you can only manage one-way, don't worry: we will organise the necessary volunteers - just let us know if you need or can offer transport.
As I will be concentrating on welfare this year, membership and JJBS matters will now come under the Finance Committee umbrella headed by Hon. Treasurer, Jeff Kinn. However please feel free to give me a call evenings and weekends on the telephone number above.
Another important matter always under discussion is what social events/entertainment can we put on at the synagogue. Not everything needs to be a money-spinner. It may be that we open the doors for a regular coffee morning or afternoon tea.
The Chalkwell Club is open on Sunday evenings, usually fortnightly, for members 50+ (contact their Chair, Josie Pitch on 01702 - 330 316 for details), but you may want something during the day in the week; maybe you can offer an exercise class or some form of education or entertainment? The building is very under-used and is a community asset - just let us know if you have any bright ideas.
Best regards,
Vice-Chair.
Chair of R and P's Message - by Phillip Freedman
I
was honoured to be asked to chair the Rites and Practices (R and P) committee,
immediately following the recent AGM. The committee is made up of Rabbi Warren
Elf, Sue Levitas, Diana Miller, Terry Kemp and myself. It is our duty to look
into the running of the synagogue from a religious viewpoint.
As well as looking at normal services (Shabbat and Yom Tovim), R and P also look at Bar and Bat Mitzvoth, Weddings, Funerals, Baby Namings and indeed every other conceivable and possible combination. R and P arrange Chavurot suppers, Torah breakfasts, visiting rabbis and students. All this takes a lot of organisation.
At the moment the team are arranging the High Holy Day festivals and would be grateful for any help you could give us with helping to polish the silver and provide the apple and honey. Synagogue preparations will take place on Sunday, 28th September 2008 from 10.15am onwards during cheder).
R and P are also trying to arrange a student rabbi to visit and possibly lead a Service on Friday, 7th and Saturday, 8th November 2008 (with Rabbi Elf) as well leading the Simchat Torah Service for us.
The most important item I have left till last. I am pleased to inform you that the committee are in the throes of recommending Council makes an appointment of a 'deputy head teacher' for our Religion School (Cheder) in order that we may run classes on a weekly basis again. Details will be announced shortly but I am assured an appointment will be made before the new term begins. (Please see Rabbi Warren Elf's message regarding Cheder on the homepage of this website or click here).
For details of services please see our ‘Calendar’. I really would love to see you at the building of the Sukkah on Sunday, 12th October 2008 from 10.30am onwards and also at any one of the many events that are being planned.
If you have any ideas for an event (animal remembrance, good old days, car service) or anything else please contact one of the committee members or myself by telephone on 01702 - 351 473 (evenings only), via e-mail or have a chat with me before or after services.
In the meantime keep safe, keep well and keep coming to synagogue. That just leaves me enough room to wish you all a Happy New Year and well over The Fast.
Chair of R and P.
Can you help? - by Diana Miller
Are
you free during the day and able to help out in case of emergencies? The Guild
is occasionally asked to cater for funerals, as most of the 'regulars' work full
time we're unfortunately unable to help out in such occasions.
If you could help in such circumstances (and they are few and far between) please contact Diana Miller or Laura Sears.
Guild assistance.
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