Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

The Communal Seder will be held on Tuesday the 30th March 2010 in the synagogue.

Please make sure that you return your completed forms with the money as quickly as possible as it is likely to be sold out

I am currently on a trip to Australia and as such was extremely interested in how the Jewish population began to grow. Reeva and I have visited relatives of hers in Melbourne and whilst in Sydney we visited the Jewish Museum. Whilst the population of Jews in Australia is small as you can expect many have made a large contribution to life out here. I have become especially interested in those Jews who were transported as convicts. Most were sent to Australia for trivial crimes and I suspect it was a good way of getting rid of a few Jews easily.

It is hoped that I meet up with all new members when they have joined the community or whilst the joining process takes place. When members transfer from another Reform Community this is not always neccessary. As you will know by now we had a large number of members transfer from South West Essex & Settlement Reform Synagogue during last Summer. One of those members was Ruth Haslett the daughter of Manny Moran the Choir Master at SWESRS. It was very difficult to meet with her as she has lived in Hong Kong for the last 11 years.

We would like to invite you to a special meeting with Mrs Paula V. Edelstein that will take place at Sukkat Shalom Synagogue on March 10th 8.00 PM (doors will close at 8:30). During her visit in London next week Paula wished as part of her program to be introduced to the Redbridge community.

On Sunday 21st February Jocelyn Shepherd gave a talk to the Leyton and Leytonstone Historical Society on the History of the Wanstead site. The talk was put together with slides by Frank Godson who was due to give the talk but who eventually went on holiday on the agreed date. So many thanks to Jocelyn for standing in at the last minute. The group were very appreciative and the followinge mail was received after the event.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Jocelyn -

The CST are running a 1 day Location Support Staff Course (LOSS) 10am - 4pm (approx) course for anyone who regularly works at a communal location either as an employee or as a volunteer.

We will be providing lunch and as always there is no charge for the course.

The LOSS course provides the bare-bones of security and is non-physical. It is always enjoyed by the participants. There is no limit as to how may people you can send however, we do need to have the names and contact details of each participant ASAP. This list should be sent to training@thecst.org.uk

ROS ELLIS NOVEMBER 2009

I have recently returned from Israel where I joined a JNF (Jewish National Fund) tour. I haven’t been to Israel since 1981 and I was very keen to see what has been going on there over the years and to visit some of the projects that I have supported through the JNF.

I thought I would share some of my experiences with you, although, to be honest, it was such a wonderful tour taking in so many places and meeting such interesting and committed people that I hardly know where to begin.

So here is a snapshot of the highlights.

Given the current weather it is perhaps not surprising that my thoughts have turned to snow.

On Saturday the 16th of January 2010 the synagogue held a Quiz Supper in order to help provide funds to refurbish the synagogue washrooms.

The evening was hosted by Frank Godson who wrote and presented the Quiz on the night.

The evening raised £658.00 on the night through ticket sales and a raffle.

Many thanks go to those that helped set up during the day and clear up after the event had finished.

Special thanks to Reeva & Frank Godson, Sylvie Sugarman who shopped and generally assisted during the evening.

EAST Festival of Jewish Music & Theatre

On Friday 18th December 2009 Walter Loebl gave an Oneg after the Erev Shabbat service.

Twenty members braved the cold to attend the service and to listen to Walter talk on "Bible Translations & Transliterations. This subject is quite topical in view of the new Siddur.

The discussion afterwards was interesting in informative. A more detailed report will follow later and be placed in the Shema

Hannah’s Batmitzvah coincided with the 29th anniversary of the date of the first trial service of the then embryonic Epping Forest & District Reform Synagogue (Buckhurst Hill Reform Synagogue) and now known as Sukkat Shalom.

Her portion was from Genesis Chapter 37 which deals with Joseph and the troubles with his brothers. As it was the 1st day of Channukah her father and our Senior Warden read from the second scroll Numbers Chapter 7.

Hannah was quite relaxed on the day and handled the first party of the Shabatt service well.

Over 160 young people were honoured for their contributions to Reform Jewish life, community and society at the second Community Youth Awards Reception.

Held on Sunday 6th December at Edgware and District Reform Synagogue in front of an audience of over 250 people, the Reception honoured the winners of both the Jack Petchey Awards and Massuot Community Youth Awards.

On Sunday 13th December 2009 Rabbi Larry Becker officiated at the wedding of Jennifer Fitz-John and Nitzan Lazar.

Jennifer joined the synagogue in September 2007 and her new husband Nitzan, who is Israeli joined, earlier this year.

Marylin Daniels Garcia sang the various choral pieces and she was accompanied by David Silcoff on the organ.

Frank Godson officiated as the Wedding Organiser and sang the Cheva Berachot.

Jocelyn Shepherd was the Marriage Secretary on the day.

Jennifer looked beautiful in a lovely white Gown and arrived in a white Limousine.

Congratulations to Lexie Massie on becoming Bat Mitzvah

Lexie’s Torah portion was Genesis 28 and 29.  It was the portion about Jacob's Dream.  This dream section followed on from a situation where Jacob deceived Esau of his birthright by tricking his father into thinking that he was Esau.  He then travelled to Haran to escape his brother. Her study passage was about animals and the environment. The normally shy Lexie was very assured and competent on the day and also conducted some of the Shabbat service.

Sarah Brody & Josh Larm were married on Sunday 7th December 2009.

The venue was Stapleford Park in Leicestershire.

The Chuppah was under the auspices of Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue with Rabbi Henry Goldstein officiating. Rabbi Goldstein was selected by the couple because he conducted Josh’s Barmitzvah at SWESRS.

Sue Barnett officiated as Marriage Secretary, Tracy Pedro sang passages from the wedding service whilst Frank Godson sang the Cheva Berachot.

All 3 together with their husbands and wife are close friends of the families.

Council for the year 2009/10

Picture gallery of council members here.

Position

Chair of Council Mike Tiller

Vice Chair Antony Twyman

Hon. Treasurer Lawrence Troyna

Ass Hon. Treasurer Stephen Silver

Hon. Secretary Angela Jacobs

Senior Warden Andrew Lewis

Chair of Education Jo Ann Lewis

Chair of Fundraising Vacant

Membership Secretary Vacant

Head of Security Andrew Fox

On Saturday 7th November 2009, my youngest son Charlie Isaac St George had a Baby Blessing at the Synagogue. It was a beautiful and personal Shabbat Service with many members of my family taking part.

As I stood on the bimah with my husband Michael, my eldest son Thomas and my baby Charlie, I felt an immense sense of pride and when the Rabbi read the blessing for Charlie, I was overcome with emotion.

Thank you to Rabbi Becker and Frank Godson for organising the ceremony but mostly many thanks to all of my family who made this occasion so very very special.

We are currently working hard on establishing a Youth Club at Sukkat Shalom. We anticipate that the club would meet once a month during the school year.

The committee looking at this currently consists of the Rabbi Larry Becker, Blanche Southern-Thomas and Antony Twyman.

We would like to include children from the Cheder and more parents on the committee. If you are interested please contact either Rabbi Becker or Jocelyn Shepherd by leaving a message on the synagogue telephone which is 020 8530 3345