by Melissa Davis | Mar 13, 2023 | News
The Jewish Helpline was set up over 27 years ago after a young woman living in Hendon, ended her own life. People felt that she could have been helped had there been somewhere for her to turn. Out of this tragedy, THE JEWISH HELPLINE (formerly Miyad) was born. We are...
by Melissa Davis | Oct 13, 2022 | News
Blessings like Rain I recently received a generic email from Redbridge Council, asking if our building could be a ‘warm site’ for the winter. While I doubt our building will be appropriate, and that the council will be back in touch with me, it made me think deeply...
by Melissa Davis | Oct 6, 2022 | Stop Press, Uncategorized
In place of a rabbinic reflection, this week Rabbi Jordan wishes everyone a good year ahead, and looks forward to spending more time getting to know everyone under the sukkah and on Simchat Torah, where there will be chances to talk. Below is his reflection delivered...
by Melissa Davis | Oct 6, 2022 | News, Uncategorized
Talley’s Folly is about a single, middle-aged Lithuanian Jew who immigrated to the States as a child prior to World War I. Though living and working as an accountant in St. Louise, Matt Friedman, on a lark, decides one day to take a vacation in, of all places, the...
by Melissa Davis | Oct 5, 2022 | News, Not in Newsletter
We are very happy to bring you FREE podcasts from Lehrhaus at Leo Baeck College. To download or listen to one or more of these go to: https://lbc.ac.uk/lehrhaus-in-podcast/. Here you will need to register by setting up your own login account. You will only need to do...
by Melissa Davis | Oct 5, 2022 | News
Empower a child. Foster for Redbridge. You could be the one to guide, listen to, teach and enrich a child’s life, empowering them to become confident and independent young people. If you have a place in your home and heart to foster a child, please call us on 020 8708...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 29, 2022 | Stop Press, Uncategorized
“Return, O Israel, to the Eternal One your God,” Hosea implores us in the haftarah. This week is Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return, when all are called on to return to God. But what does it mean to return? The prophet Joel gives us an answer: “declare a holy fast,...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 22, 2022 | Stop Press, Uncategorized
The Majesty of the Horn Coronets and trumpets completed the array in the service to remember the Queen. Their blasts surely woke up any slumberers amongst those that had travelled many miles to attend and marked the funeral as a moment of solemnity and grandeur. On...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 21, 2022 | News
Prospective parents are invited to join us to find out more about KSHS for September starters 2023, please see the poster for further information.
by Melissa Davis | Sep 15, 2022 | Stop Press, Uncategorized
This Saturday, our choir will lead us in the Selichot prayers to gear us up for the High Holy Day season. This is one of the most spiritually moving events in the Jewish calendar. A few summers ago, I was in Jerusalem for the Selichot season. For Sephardim and...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 9, 2022 | News, Not in Newsletter
ברוך דיין האמת Baruch Dayan HaEmet The Rabbis, Council and Membership of the South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. On the occasion of her coronation, in 1953, she set the tone for her reign, “I have in sincerity...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 8, 2022 | Uncategorized
A Thank You to SWESRS during Shloshim (the 30s days of mourning) I don’t have enough words to thank our new chair, Lester Allen, our vice-chair, Michael Dalton and the whole synagogue council, who said that I ‘must go’ and spend the time needed to be with my family...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 8, 2022 | News
We are pleased to invite you to join three free online talks as part of our Lehrhaus programme this autumn. Please click here for further information about the courses and booking information.
by Melissa Davis | Sep 8, 2022 | News
Mike Levy is author of the newly published ‘Get the Children Out: Unsung Heroes of the Kindertransport.’ A Holocaust educator, professional researcher and chair of the Harwich Kindertransport memorial project, he speaks with passion about the stories he has...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 7, 2022 | News
Our September E-news bulletin is available by clicking here. We do hope that this bulletin finds you safe and well. Please do keep in touch and send us any details of any information or events you would like us to promote tofaith.forum@redbridge.gov.uk.
by Melissa Davis | Sep 7, 2022 | News
Pamela Sturhoofd and Jessica van Tijn dedicated over three years to research the complete story of this Dutch Oskar Schindler, a woman so dedicated, stubborn and convinced of her mission that she went to Vienna in December of 1938 to negotiate a deal with Adolf...
by Melissa Davis | Sep 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
Yesterday, I attended the unveiling of a memorial to the Kindertransport at Harwich. Throughout the 1930s, children fleeing Europe from the Nazis arrived at this Essex port. Many of those children, now adults, were there to see the statue unveiled, including Labour...
by Melissa Davis | Aug 24, 2022 | Stop Press
A Kind of Bark Mitzvah Celebration Many of us have had constant companions that saw us through the worst of the pandemic. Reliable friends who come when summoned and provide comfort on-demand. This weekend is the traditional Jewish day that we celebrate such kind...
by Melissa Davis | Aug 23, 2022 | News, Not in Newsletter
Polina Shepherd : Our Yiddish Heritage In Music (Please click here for the full poster) 6.00PM. SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2022 Functions Hall, South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex, IG2 7PL Polina Shepherd, born in Siberia,...
by Melissa Davis | Aug 2, 2022 | Stop Press
"Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire… Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field, like a city under siege." This is the terrifying message of the prophet Isaiah in this week's haftarah. It is the final haftarah of...