It’s a couple of months since I’ve up-dated everyone. Now that the Hanukah, Chanukah, Hanukkah, Chanukkah Fayre happened I’m sitting down with my laptop.

It’s been busy in the Community over the past months with 4 special events, as well as the High Holy Days and Services.This includes 2 ‘firsts’. Both were joint events –Tikkun Leil Shavuot with Norwich Hebrew Congregation & a service with the Suffolk Liberal Community. We’re thinking of having them annually! The joint service was in September, but is likely to be in different month as September is full up for us with High Holy Days. An engaging Selichot was also led by community members.

Two other larger events helped us to continue to grow together as a community & to get better known in Norfolk. Our 25^th Anniversary Open Day was exceptional. Dignitaries & a diversity of other people were there. It was up-lifting and memorable, & Rabbi Leah made our Jewish service accessible to all. We hope to have similar events in future. Many members, friends & their children (young people) helped with preparation & on the day.

You may also recall, a 2013 first at Jessopp Road URC, in the church hall. What was it? The Hanukah Fayre! I was really anxious about it; we didn’t have loads of publicity. It was a try out. However, we learned a lot from this enjoyable success. So let’s do one at the Forum! I said “Oy vay!!” If I was anxious last time I was terrified this time. Well our 2^nd Hanukah Fayre was even more successful! We can even make an additional donation to our chosen charities: Norwich Foodbank & Maayan BaBustan, in Israel. Even more members, friends & young people of the community helped. We’ll learn more & do it better next time!

It’s great for Community people to volunteer for the Community – we encourage people to participate. It makes for good community and growing.

Please access the rest of the website for more details & information on the following internal & external events (CCJ, LJ, Interfaith Link, etc)

December    Friday 12^th – Engaging with Judaism – About Chanukah

Shabbat 13^th – Cheder, Shabbat morning Service, Kiddush

Wednesday 17^th – Chanukah Party in the Peill Room

January         Friday 9^th – Engaging with Judaism – Topic to be confirmed

Shabbat 10^th – Cheder, Shabbat morning Service, Kiddush

Thursday 15^th – Joan Goodman Memorial Lecture

Tuesday 27^th Holocaust Memorial Day Service

Before I sign off I must tell you about an important happening: a local campaign to resettle 50 Syrian refugees in Norfolk. It’s co-ordinated by a local multi-faith, multi-ethnic group of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Syrian people, people of no faith, or not in any group, not by Norwich Liberal Jewish Community, though individuals have been involved. It’s associated with Citizens UK national campaign. An open meeting took place on Shabbat 6^th December in front of St. Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich. Local councillors were met & asked to take this forward. There’s publicity in the EDP, Sunday Times & elsewhere.

We do look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at our services, festivals and other events. If you have any queries please do feel free to contact me on  01362 694017 or 07460 849472 or eddiesarahb@gmail.com

Shavuah Tov,

Sarah Boosey, Chairperson

 

Dear All,

We had successful events in August and early September, both community-led and Rabbi Leah-led, and we welcomed her back from her Israeli sabbatical.

The Shabbat morning service in Diss was a great joint effort – excellent and uplifting. A good-sized group attended from each community. Cantor Annette B. & Rabbi Leah led the service sublimely and we all participated enthusiastically. After the service, with sumptuous food and lots of chat, getting to know each other, everyone I spoke to was enthusiastic about having a joint service (or two) next year, and at least annually. So watch out for this.

Cleaning up in and around the OMH and Peill Room, in preparation for the High Holy Days and Open Day, was also a success. They will be very presentable for these events. I think a clean up with food and schmooze two or three times a year would be good communally, as we work together to improve the appearance of the OMH, Peill Room and area outside.

Preparations, of course, have been made for the High Holy Days and as always I am pleased to see many members and friends involved in these services, as well as visitors. For Selichot this past Saturday, Emily and Meike led us in reflection and discussion of what this period means to us as Jews, to help us to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. We thought and talked about aspects of being a thoughtful Jew, the struggles we’ve had over the past year and considered how to do better in the coming year. It’s never easy to change our ways although we must strive to do so. As Philip has said, it may be more possible if we focus on one small thing and then build on it.

We’re also preparing for 18^th October, our Open Day and 25^th anniversary. We have had quite a few replies from dignitaries and others who are not part of our community.  As we hope there will be quite a few attendees, we ask that members and friends arrive on or shortly before the 11:00 a.m. start. The displays in the OMH will show information about:

• Liberal Judaism and our Community
• Events and Services that have taken place
• Cheder

I’ve also been trying to meet up with community members to chat and get to know them better, as I never seem able to talk to people after Shabbat services. Also with a view to members’ and friends’ volunteering – many hands make light work! Good preparation pays off for our community!

L’Shanah Tovah

Sarah

Sarah Boosey

07460849472

 

 

 

Several of our Community went to the LJ Biennial at the beginning of May.  You may have seen if you get LJ Today that there were over 300 people there. I went over Shabbat and wished I’d gone for the whole week end! Please see www.liberaljudaism.org and the next LJ Today for details. I hope we can attend in 2016.

There was an amazing variety of activities for adults and young people – including three variations of Shabbat Morning Service. After the Services we all came together in the large conference all for the Ba’al Tefillah (lay leader) graduation. Emily, one of our members, undertook this training and was on the stage with her graduation cohort and R. Danny Rich and Lucian Hudson to receive her certificate as a lay leader.

There was learning and discussion during the rest of the day. The choice of workshops was remarkable and I found it difficult to choose which two to attend. I went to Conversion, Interfaith, Inclusivity where one aspect we discussed was whether the current liberal conversion was too onerous or just right. We concluded that it was just right. What do you think?

The second workshop I went to was Political Judaism led by R. Margaret Jacobi, whom we will meet on 1^st July in Norfolk.   She chose several political issues to talk about asking whether each were acceptable for a Jewish Congregation to get involved in. I think we could have engaging sessions based on any of the topics from the Biennial.

Since Emily’s graduation she’s led two more Services.

– 16^th May Friday evening service, and admission to Judaism ceremony for Margot.

– 3^rd June (Tuesday) Shavuot Service and study evening. We had a joint event with the other Jewish Community in Norwich. Members of both communities led one of 4 workshops.

We’ve got quite a few Services and other events over the next few months, including two new events. We look forward to seeing Members and people interested in Liberal Judaism. Both new events are important Mitzvah days. The first is Nature Conservation 6th July at Pensthorpe Nature Park. They need volunteer help in developing a new wildlife area. I’ve been reading about the decline in wildlife in this country. I also just read an article in the latest Jewish Chronicle (e-zine). The Chief Executive of Jewish Care has expressed concern about the decrease in tzedakah (charitable giving – financial and time) which is a moral obligation in Judaism. At the Biennial, R. Jonah Pesner made an inspiring keynote speech about social action. We plan to talk about social action at our Community Communication Meeting. We will have another Mitzvah Day at the OMH to continue improving the venue and in preparation for the High Holy Days and our Open Day. We will also be involved, as we were last year, in the International Mitzvah Day, which will be listed in due course. Please access other parts of this site for details of our Services and events. Please do not hesitate to contact me via this website or as noted below if you are interested.

Sarah Boosey, Chairperson

Norwich Liberal Jewish Community

Tel: 07460849472

The Community has been pretty busy and developing, as usual. Welcome to those who’ve become Members and Friends in the past couple of months. We also provide a warm welcome for new interested people*. We had an excellent, warm, relaxed Service in February. I am truly excited about our 8th March Shabbat morning Service, which Rabbi Leah will be leading with the help of our young people, as well as our more mature community members. We will also be having a special Kiddush where we will learn something about a Charity to help third world Children.
Our Mitzvah Day (2 hours actually) did take place in and around the OMH and Peill Room. We will plan another in the not too distant future. It’s certainly more friendly and possible to get more work done in a group than on your own. I wasn’t sure what we could do in the Peill Room, but it cleaned up well. And Jess and Keith did a splendid job on and around the steps to improve access. Most of the slippery moss is gone as well as branches pruned back over the handrail. Good progress was also made clearing away leaves and weeds around the OMH (curb appeal?). We’re also progressing clearing up an area in the Shul for a quiet seating area, as well as a possible space for our Library. Have a look on 8th March.
Thus we’re cleared up in time for our Service on the 8th and our AGM in the Peill Room on Monday evening at 7:30 17th March. We’re also looking forward to receiving nominations for Council 7 clear days in advance. I do look forward to seeing you there. We are using the Peill Room more often for Engaging with Judaism. This usually starts at 7:30, so it’s possible to attend after Friday evening meal, often for dessert as well as discussion. It has more space and car parking facilities than most people’s homes. Please remember to look at the calendar on our website and let us know if you plan to be there.
Speaking of the Peill Room, I hope you have booked for our Purim Event on 16th March – in the Peill Room. Don’t forget your fancy dress, no matter how minimal!!
I would like to announce that Shelagh Philips has stood down as Jewish Representative for SACRE (Standing Religious Education). Marsha Parker has taken up the mantle and attended a Council Meeting recently. We thank Shelagh for all of the educational outreach and other work she has done for our Community.
For those wishing to improve their confidence on the Bimah, Byron will be leading a hands on workshop in managing the Ark and Scroll at 10:00 on 12th April Service. Additionally, The LJ Biennial takes place from 9 – 11 May and I am planning to attend. I’m sure it will be an amazing learning experience, as every Limmud has been. We have also recently enlarged our Library with educational books for prospective converts and those undertaking the Ba’al Tefillah course.
April will be busy too. Engaging with Judaism is on 11th April in the Peill Room. 12th April is our morning Shabbat Service with a workshop. AND our Passover Seder is to be led by Rabbi Leah on Tuesday 15th April at 6:45 at the Mangreen Trust, which is a lovely place. Don’t forget to book early so we can sort food and other arrangements in good time.
I look forward to seeing everyone. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact any of the Council via the website contacts, or myself at 07460849472.

-Sarah Boosey