Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

Lucinda was very assured on the day taking a good part of the service and singing her Torah portion beautifully.

B,Nei Mitzvot Since the Synagogue was Founded

Adam's portion was Vayera - Genesis 21 verses 1-21. He also read the Haftorah which was Psalm 91, verses 1 -16. the Shema and the 10 commandments in Hebrew.

Ashley, Adam’s father carried the Torah scroll and did Hagbah. Louise’s sister- Helen Kent – a member of the synagogue dressed and undressed the scroll and her mother Audrey Kent also a member of the synagogue read the translation of the portion. Relatives of Ashley also took part in the service.

The Shul was full - approx 100 people – with lots of family and friends. Many visitors commented on the beauty of the building, on how nice and relaxed the service was and how they found the whole experience very moving.

Ben was very assured on the day. He conducted best part of the Service up to the Torah Reading on his own and in a very capable manner.

His Torah Reading which was part of Genesis Chapter 11 was extremely well read and his Drasha which was on Language (due to the Tower of Babel element of his portion) was well written and his Study Passage on war was inspired.

Some of Ben’s family also participated in the proceedings.

Well done to Ben and many congratulations to his family especially Rachel who read from the 2nd Scroll.

The morning finished with a beautiful Kiddush provided by the family.

Lydia Colman was Bat Mitzvah on Saturday 10th September 2011

Lydia conducted part of the service in both Hebrew and English.

Her Drasha was on Caring for others and her Torah Portion was Ki Tetze from Deuteronomy Chapter 22

Her Haftarah was from Isaiah 52

We wish Lydia and her family a hearty mazeltov for her day

Laurence Brooks was Bar Mitzvah on Saturday 3rd September 2011

Laurence was very assured in his reading from the Torah and his participation in the first part of the service.

His study passage was on the subject of sport as he takes a keen interest in football, golf, water skiing etc

Laurence was joined by his father and mother as well as other members of the family.

The family also provided a splendid Kiddush after the service for the benefit of all present including family friends and congregations of the shul.

We wish Laurence and his family a hearty mazeltov for the day

Jack Balcombe became Bar Mitzvah at Sukkat Shalom on Saturday 11th June 2011

The synagogue was full of family and friends.

Jack took a good part of the service and his Torah portion which he read beautifully was from Numbers.

His Grandmother Bernice Woolf read the Haftorah

The morning was concluded with a lovely kiddush which was enjoyed by all

Harry Watch was Bar Mitzvah on Saturday 2nd April at Sukkat Shalom Reform Synagogue

Harry read his portion for the week as well as some alternative prayers from the Siddur.

The whole Watch—Sampson family attended and it was a lovely family affair.

Harry amused the community with his reading of his compiled Study Passage.

Congratulations to Ellis Robinson

On his Barmitzvah which took place on Saturday the 1st May

Ellis took a good part of the service and sang his portion of the Torah beautifully.

Ellis also produced a very interesting Drasha and Study Passage.

These pieces are listed below.

MY STUDY PASSAGE IS CALLED MUSIC

For my study passage I would like to talk about music… something perhaps we take for granted and is so much a part of our lives, and has been since time begun. In fact the earliest forms of communication are believed to have been through music.

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.

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.

Guy Colman became Bar Mitzvah on Saturday 31st October 2009

Guy conducted a good part of the service and read from the Torah.

His portion was Lech Lecha Genesis Chapter 12 verses 1-20. Guy read his portion extremely well.

His study passage was based on The Festival of Tu B'Shvat and was very interesting.

On the same day Sidney Frank Redding Guy's Grandfather celebrated his 83rd birthday. He thus celebrated his 2nd Bar Mitzvah by reading the portion in English.

Joseph Watch became Bar Mitzvah on Saturday 5th September 2009

Joe conducted a good part of the service and read from the Torah.

His portion was Deuteronomy Chapter 26 and he read and sang it beautifully.
His study passage was based on a piece by Maimonides from sefer ha-mitzvot.

Many comments have been received on how beautifully Joe performed on the day.

Rachel Southern Thomas reached Bat Mitzvah on Saturday 18th July 2009

Rachel conducted a good part of the service and read from the Torah.
Her portion was Numbers Chapter 34 and she sang it beautifully.
Her Drasha was about borders a theme which Rabbi Becker expanded upon later in his address.

Her study passage was about art and in particular a piece of art attached to the family for many years and painted by Dorrit Yacoby. The artwork was on display in front of the bimah for congregants to see.

Hannah Pedro became Batmitzvah on Saturday 20th June 2009.

Hannah conducted a good part of the service and read from the Torah. Her portion was Numbers Chapter 16 and it was one of the longest portions ever attempted at Sukkat Shalom. Her Dracha was about Korach and was very thought provoking. Tracy, Melvin and David participated in the service which was followed by an extended Kiddush which was enjoyed by all.