NEW YEAR MESSAGES FOR YOU
The book of Kohelet/Ecclesiastes teaches that ‘there is nothing new under the sun’. In some ways, as we turn into the year 5782 and return to the familiarity of our High Holy Day liturgy and melodies we find all that is familiar and comforting. But, as with each twist and turn of this pandemic, we are also facing a change from what we are used to and are tasked to adapt once again.
This year, to enable as many of our members to attend our services and feel safe and comfortable, we are holding multi-access services, both online and in person. Whilst our sanctuary remains the same, the addition of technology will feel different. I am sure that each one of us will experience moments of connection and disconnection, comfort and discomfort during our services as we again navigate the new world we find ourselves in.
Rosh Hashanah is all about new beginnings and trying to find a balance between the familiar and the comfort of the past and the excitement and promise of the future. This year, together, we will create a space that responds to the needs of this time, to the needs of our community, putting safety first. I wish you all a sweet and good New Year full of comfort and promise.
Rabbi Robyn
Here’s wishing you and yours a year of wellbeing in every way and all of us a year of ever greater togetherness, growth and development. One traditional sentence says it all: “May the curses of the old year end, may the blessings of the new year begin –
תכלה שנה וקללותיה, תחל שנה וברכותיה
Rav Reuven
I suspect that most of us are very glad to leave last year behind us. To say it’s been hard is an understatement and the challenges have been and continue to be, considerable. There has been huge sadness and we have lost people we can never replace – only hold in our hearts and memories.
We have also come together in new ways, to share our strength, to care and to heal. We have been guided by our Rabbis and community and now we face our next move together.
As Reform Jews, we look forwards, embracing change, looking for opportunities and creating somewhere for the next generations to share and enjoy. This Rosh Hashanah will feel different, in so many ways. I hope we all find something to sustain us and something new to enlighten us as we gather together.
Naomi Ward
If you wish to come to any of our High Holiday services this year you must register in advance with the office. There will be no admission without prior registration. For those unable to attend in person, High Holiday services will also be broadcast on Zoom and Facebook.
Click here to review dates and times of High Holiday services.
SHABBAT SERVICES
Every Friday evening at 18h30 and Saturday morning at 10h30 our Shabbat services are live on Zoom and shared by Facebook
And every day you can join RJ:TV, the Online Community for Reform Judaism at reformjudaism.org.uk/rjtv
- Please support our Kol Nidrei Appeal
For this year’s appeal, we asked you who had supported you and your loved ones through times of trouble and worry and to nominate charities that had helped. All four of our nominated charities have been a vital part of some of our members’ lives. Even small amounts of money donated will make a difference to them. We. also support the Sustentation Fund, which provides financial assistance to members on a confidential basisRead More… - Series is back after the summer break
Join Rabbis Robyn Ashworth-Steen, Miriam Berger and Debbie Young-Somers as they share their last minute preparations for the High Holy Days, remember the horrors of 9/11 ahead of its 20th anniversary and contemplate another Rosh Hashanah full of uncertainty, in this Rabbiting On special. Rabbiting On is back after its summer break. You can listen or watch the latest episode and still listen or watch the previous seven episodes of “Rabbiting On” byRead More… - Marianne weaves her tapestries
Take a good look as you enter our foyer from this week. Two Creation tapestries’ will be on display: Day 1 – Light (pictured) and Day 2 – The Firmament, both created with love and care by our own Marianne Phillips. Marianne has been working on these originally for our new Shul. Once we do move, all six will be on permanent display. Over the coming months you will have opportunity to seeRead More… - Overwhelming “yes” vote to sell our building
The EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) held on Sunday (July 25) voted by 68 votes to two to allow the Trustees to agree the sale of our freehold and leasehold to Jackson’s Row Developments Ltd. The meeting was a lively one in a full but not crowded Alexander Levy Hall, with most members expressing excitement for our future. Gary Neville, who attended remotely, said on behalf of the developers of the site, that theRead More… - Joyce Kennedy, doctor and writer on classical music
The life of Dr Joyce Kennedy, author and music lover, who died earlier this month at the age of 88, was celebrated in an obituary published in the Daily Telegraph on Monday. Until very recently, she was still delivering online Opera at Menorah lectures for the synagogue. You can read about her lifelong love of music in the article below. Read the Daily Telegraph’s obituary here. - What it means to be free: Rabbi Robyn on the MRJ channel
In the run up to Pesach, we refocus our attention on what it means to be free. To be free to prosper and to live Jewish lives privately and in community. Rabbi Robyn will host a special debate for Reform Judaism in support of the Uyghur Muslims of Northwest China. As a community we stand with the human rights charity, René Cassin, in support of their work to bring an end to theRead More… - JR stars in TV thriller ‘Ridley Road’ set in 1960s London
The BBC has been filming a new drama inside JR. The cast includes familiar names including Rory Kinnear, Tamzin Outhwaite, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Eddie Marsan, Samantha Spiro, Danny Hatchard, and Rita Tushingham. The lead roles include newcomers Aggi O’Casey and Tom Varey. Our Synagogue features in Ridley Road, a four-part series, which is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed 2014 novel of the same name by Jo Bloom. It is set in the London of theRead More… - Stay Safe!
Executive member, Pam Walker, shares some guidance on our responsibilities to ensure JR actively maintains a safe and welcoming environment and protects your right to live free from abuse and neglect. JR has policies, procedures and training in place to keep people safe. Watch Pam on our duty to safeguard you. - 120 over 80: Our Louis amongst the wisest
The Jewish News has named Louis Rapaport as one of the top 120 individuals, aged 80 and over, whose achievements have inspired us for decades. Louis has been a longstanding leader in Manchester’s Jewish community. An active member for more than 60 years, he served as president of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester from 2004 to 2007, tackling challenging issues including attacks on Jewish gravestones at Rainsough Jewish cemetery. Louis has servedRead More…