Dear Rabbi Anna, Members and Friends,

In an idle moment, not that I have many of those these days, I was thinking ahead to the High Holy Days and musing on the topic of charity. In one of the services there is a section about charity. Different types of charity are listed from best to not so meritorious, such as charity where the recipient does not know the donor and the donor does not know the recipient and no-one knows that the donor has given anything.

And then there is the saying ‘Charity begins at home’. Sounds a little surprising, but I presume the phrase does not mean monetary charity and so there must other types of charity. The word derives from the Latin ‘caritas’ meaning ‘dear’ and the word ‘charity’ appeared in late Old English and meant ‘Christian love of one’s fellows’.

So charity is motivated by love (compassion, empathy and the desire to make life better for others) and sometimes manifests itself by the giving of money. Where is ‘home’? I think ‘home’ in this case means ‘the people you know’, whether under your roof, in your family, among your friends or within your community. And ‘begins’ has to mean that this is your prime responsibility. What factors make an act of charity better? – when it is uncomfortable for the donor – monetarily (or otherwise) or by giving way for the sake of others. You want to say something. Think first. Could it upset someone? Bite your tongue. Don’t say it. That is charity. Someone says something which does upset you. Try not to react. Preserve the relationship. Swallow your pride. That is charity.

On occasions you will think someone has been unreasonable. Consider apologising yourself for the difficult situation. It is very hard to do, but that is charity. Put yourself in the shoes of others. Try to understand their difficulties. Accept that they are not perfect, not always thoughtful. After all, you are not perfect or always thoughtful. Give some leeway. That is charity.

I have tried to adopt these ways of thinking and behaving. Being diplomatic, tolerant, understanding and forgiving are important for the Chair of a synagogue and for everyone in all situations.

The above is not an exercise in writing prose. This is something for you to read and to think about and to change your behaviour and approach. Don’t shrug it off. Make the world a better place. Bring us a little closer to the Messianic age. Be charitable. Otherwise, why are you here?

Philip Lawrence

Dear Rabbi Anna, Members and Friends,

Following our 31st AGM on 24 March you have a new Council. It is new in the sense that it is newly elected, but many of the faces round the virtual table are the same as last year. You do, however, have a new occupant of the hot seat, so I’d better introduce myself, for those of you who don’t know me.

I was a founder member of the then Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia in January 1990. Our first Chair was the wonderful Liz Allan from 1990-1996. I took over from her until 1999. Seven others have occupied the position between then and last month. I thought once was enough for me – dayenu –and did not expect to be here again. I guess it’s just the way the matzah crumbles.

I have been on Council for most of the community’s 31 years. It’s a sense of duty and looking after ‘my baby’, not a desire to hog (sorry, unkosher word), centre stage. For those who have seen me, but not known who I was, I usually have a white beard of rabbinic length, although it does get drastically trimmed on rare occasions. It makes up for the lack of hair on top. I generally sit at the back of the Old Meeting House – partly shyness and partly to add marginally to security. Our American members would know this as riding shotgun.

Many years ago I was involved as co-author of our Constitution. For a short period I was membership secretary. I started the burial group and drew up guidance for members of the group and I have been involved with the Rites and Practices Committee and with the Finance Committee. Generally I pick up the odd jobs like researching a topic or drawing up some document or other. For three years I have written the Yiddish column in our newsletter and I proof-read the newsletter, so any residual errors are entirely down to me.

There have been a few occasions when we’ve had no rabbi to take a Shabbat service and two years when there was no rabbi for the High Holydays. For the latter we were blessed with a nes gadol – a great miracle – in the form of Kim Greenacre, who arranged and led the services with sensitivity and precise organisation, with me as her second in command, and Lily Whear, whose singing was outstanding. Kim, Alan Joseph, Steven Haire and I read from the scroll, which is an indescribably moving experience.

I hope that in the coming months we shall be able to meet in person and that the newer Members and Friends will be able to see us all in 3-D. For the moment I’ve taken up enough of your time and I have to save something for next month and the month after………… Philip Lawrence

Dear Members, Friends and Everyone

The atmosphere in Norfolk has taken a more optimistic turn recently. Although we still need to take care, it feels a little less constrained. We may actually venture a little further than our local town boundaries for leisure and pleasure; exercising more than once a day. The feel of spring’s been in the air, with some good weather, buds swelling on trees and the first yellow flowers. The current rain will help push things along and won’t last too long!

Anna initiated our first Tots’ event since lock down — a Zoomy Tots Purim. Some of our children came along with members of several Communities to our excellent Purim festival, and took various roles to celebrate our survival once more.

So I am looking forward to Passover this year. This year we will have Passover on Zoom. Perhaps next year the spring will also bring us closer together.

I very much look forward to this but also to joining everyone soon.

Shalom.

Sarah Boosey

Dear Members, Friends and Everyone,

Firstly, thank you for the many (unexpected by me) kind messages that we received when several council members were unwell and unable to help out. Thank you also for bearing with us through such a difficult time. I’m pleased to say all are improving. It’s been tiring, takes its toll, and slows things down. We are now more able get on with things and make contact about NLJC business, including such things as the proposal from NHC, though there’s a bit of catching up to do.

YEARS

Unbelievably, it’s nearly a whole year since we met, in person, at services. Twelve months since we have a hug, clasped hands & said, “Shabbat Shalom,” face to face. There is no doubt that virtual services have helped our community in many ways. It has not been easy but we have adapted.

People who don’t live near Norwich have more easily attended services and events, and some initiatives were started as I mentioned last month. Don’t forget that everyone is welcome to all the service and events. Please contact me or another council member if you need help accessing them. It would be lovely to hear from you and see everyone.

We will continue to remember those whom we have sadly lost over the past year. Thank you Byron for your care in keeping track; helping all of us to remember. We miss seeing Stuart, particularly photographing at all our events, and plan to create a Jewish calendar for next year in Stuart’s memory, which may also raise much needed funds.

The second Jewish new year was just celebrated with a lovely Tu Bishvat — Rosh Hashanah of the Trees. It’s a more environmental festival these days, with much symbolism and many different fruits. Just right to help lift people during this constantly disrupted time. We hope next year we’ll be able to truly celebrate it together. We’re very fortunate to have community members who can share with leading festivals with Rabbi Anna. Thank you Kim for this, and all you do to support our community. We do appreciate everything that anyone is able to do to support our NLJC.

The end of March, a new year for the NLJC Council, also comes up shortly. Our virtual AGM will take place, on 24 March. We’ll review the past year and look to the future. The necessary information for this AGM will be sent out shortly.

NLJC thrives when we participate and work together in various ways. All of us have skills and experience. You do not have to do a huge amount; it’s possible to help as much or as little as you’re able to – with time-limited or longer-term projects, on your own or with someone else, perhaps on Council. I and all on Council look forward to being in contact with you all.

Sarah Boosey

Happy New Year.

To become chair of NLJC again or even co-chair of our Community with my friend Hilary was a bit unexpected, though we did volunteer. I don’t know whether to have joint chairs or acting chair twice, is a first for PJCEA/ NLJC. If the latter, I must say, it’s good to be in Kamala Harris’ company.

It’s been a bit of a challenge. It’s challenging to manage even a small community such as NLJC purely as volunteers, especially during this difficult time. However, we’ve overcome some hurdles through volunteer actions. Through volunteer actions we’ve been able to do such things as communicate and hold services via Zoom; we initiated Friday evening messages, planned a programme of evening talks and invited members of other congregations to attend our services and events.

Hilary & I think we work well together as co-chairs — although I’m sorry to say for a little while she’s been living with Covid. On behalf of all our Community, I wish her the best, quickest recovery, and I hope Hilary and Sam know that if they need any help over the coming days, members of NLJC will gladly help.

Council members strive to help and manage our Community as best they can. To be a member of our Council requires no small effort and sacrifice of time, and it seems it’s never possible to manage to do all that is needed. For example, Friday evening messages were a great initiative that Miriam introduced and there has been one almost every week since 3rd April. No mean feat. Steve has been outstanding in coordinating this; Anna agreed to write a message monthly, but it may come to an end shortly for lack of new messages. I’ve valued them, as have others.

Council and especially Steve would welcome anyone willing to help out with what has become a tradition during these challenging times. Another initiative is NLJC Talks (or chats) which are planned, in addition to our monthly Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat services. Council and especially I would welcome a volunteer to participate or assist in our events/talks group.

We look forward to hearing from you. Stay safe and well.

Sarah Boosey