I write with two hats on now – that of Chair of Council, and Editor of the NLJC Newsletter. For those who attended the Community’s 34th AGM (yes, we’ve been going awhile) you’ll have heard most of this, so please have patience.
I’d like to begin by saying that becoming Chair is as daunting as it is an honour, especially as I pick up from Annie Henriques, who is, I’m sure you’ll agree, a hard act to follow. She has given so much to our Community over the years, and rest assured, she has promised to support me (I’ve got a lot to learn), and us.
I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome onto Council newcomers, Helen Hodson, our Honorary Secretary, Jo Abel, our able shofar blower, and Rosie Anfilogoff, our kiddush coordinator, Zoom administrator and WhatsApp organiser. Welcome back to Steve Pruner, our Vice Chair, Donna Frankel our Honorary Treasurer, Eric Marcus (tech man), and Julia Ward, our seder coordinator extraordinaire. We are your representatives and will be introducing ourselves to you in the coming issues of the Newsletter. Better yet, why not drop in to services, or fill in those forms for our second night seder on the 23rd of April at the Chantry and meet us, in person.
Moving forward, these are challenging and exciting times for us at NLJC and for Progressive Judaism as we look forward to the ‘merger’ of Liberal and Reform, which means a bigger footprint for Progressive Judaism in the UK. And also, as we explore the idea of a more formal alliance or relationship with our friends at SLJC (Suffolk Liberal) and PLJC (Peterborough Liberal); a bigger footprint, and so a bigger voice and choice for Jews in East Anglia.
Of course, NLJC has always made having a rabbi a priority. We on Council are working very hard with support from Alexandra Gellnick at LJ to replace Hannah when sadly, she must leave us in June. I have to be honest, it isn’t easy. Rabbis and rabbinical students, it seems, don’t grow on trees. And Hannah, like Annie, is a hard act to follow. Fortunately, we have secured the service of Nick Young for all of the High Holy Days. Many of you will remember the terrific job he did last year when he joined us for Yom Kippur. And opportunities are starting to present themselves.
Putting on my other hat… In this issue Bob Hobbs, our intrepid cub reporter, chanteur, etc. etc. shines a light on Jewish Giants of French Opera, Chaim frum Drayton (AKA Philip Lawrence) returns with ‘Yiddish You Can Use’, and we’re reprising a Pesadik recipe from Joni.
I look forward to seeing you on screen for our Kabbalat service on 12 April and in shul & on Zoom on Shabbat, 13 April and please, please do make an effort to join us for the very important visit from Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy to learn about the ‘merger’ between Liberal and Reform into one Progressive movement on Sunday the 14th, to be followed by a lovely nosh, and our 2nd night Seder at the Chantry on the 23rd.
Best wishes, Linda