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Chairman's New Year Message 5784
This year we have been building. Our Community is building in strength, our activities are expanding and more people in Leytonstone are connecting with Jewish culture, spirituality and each other. We have also built the new Leytonstone Sukkah, with the generous support of RE:Power. Our ‘Sushi in the Sukkah’ event this year promises to be even more joyous than ever as we celebrate in our new Sukkah. So please join us this Sukkot for music, dancing and perhaps a ‘Pizza in the Hut’!
Over the past year, together, we have taken our Community to a new level. Friday night at Leytonstone has restarted, now bigger than ever, with the Community coming together to enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat, a traditional Shabbos meal and spirited songs and discussions led by the ever-patient Yakov Korer. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka has also made a post-covid comeback; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw.
As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet. Our deliveries of Shabbos packs and Seder night kits continue to reach those who are most in need. The Leytonstone Ko-op has expanded, offering weekly fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Please get in touch if you would like to volunteer at the Ko-op, we are looking for drivers, bag packers, meet and greeters, excel wizards, phone chatters and tea makers!
The young people of our Community are our future. Keeping them connected is our priority. The introduction of a Shabbos morning children’s service, run by Rebbetzin Yehudit and Chaya Austin, provides an invaluable experience for our younger congregants (they also enjoy the sweets!). This year has also seen our adult learning programme move into another gear; the printing of the Tanya in the Synagogue being the catalyst for the introduction of a Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin. Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly on-line Parashat classes.
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin along with their family have been a driving force for our Community over the last year. They have forged close and warm friendships with so many in the community and along with countless visits to those who may feel alone and isolated, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement have infused all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers have made this an exciting year and I feel that there is so much more to come.
Once again, The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. On the first night, despite the heavy rain, a crowd of over 300 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Karen Bellamy and from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin and were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate and live music from the London Klezmer Band. There was much dancing and singing in the rain! Waltham Forest also hosted two new Menorahs this year, one outside the front entrance of Leytonstone Tescos and another featuring in the first ever public Menorah lighting in Orford Road Walthamstow.
Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder led by Levi and Mendy Austin and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot and Seder Night Kits to over 200 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). We celebrated Tu B’Shevat with many fruits. Those who attended our Lag B’Omer celebrations enjoyed a barbecue in the Shul garden. Purim featured a raucous Megillah reading and plenty of Shalach Manot with Leytonstone transformed into the old country with a ‘Purim in the Shtetl’ themed Seuda. This year also included a bigger than ever Leytonstone Arts Trail event, with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and a talk by the Executive Chair of the Ben Uri Gallery.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, the energy and enthusiasm of our Shabbos prayers keeps the light of Jewish life burning brightly in Leytonstone and is a driving force for our communal activities. I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past year, come rain or shine. Many thanks also to those who have worked so hard to organise services and to those who, led by Carole Vincent, prepared the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
A big thank you to our small but dedicated team of DIYers and gardeners who have been hard at work renovating our building and beautifying our garden. Much work has been done improving our kitchen facilities (we now have an additional freezer and hot water!) and renovating the disabled entrance. Our Synagogue has moved into the 21th Century with the installation of lightning fast broadband, thanks to the negotiation skills of David Boldinger. Our kids play area has been expanded with extra books and games to keep our younger congregants amused.
The revival of the Jewish community in Leytonstone continues. The most valuable contribution you can make is your participation, so join us this coming month as we celebrate the High Holy Days. Why not come along to Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich this Rosh Hashanah. Get your year off to a great start within a beautiful setting, just a short walk from the Synagogue. Also, if you have not yet had the chance, come and daven with us at a Shabbos service followed by a Kiddush or why not come along to one of our online Shiurim or pop along to the Ko-op on Friday morning for a tea and a chat.
We would like to keep on doing what we do and to start doing much more but we need your help. For this year’s Kol Nidre Appeal we would appreciate any financial contributions that you feel able to make, which will be devoted to the running of our Shul for the year ahead and to help us keep growing our community. Please send your cheque or make an online payment using the details at the end of this letter.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Over the past year, together, we have taken our Community to a new level. Friday night at Leytonstone has restarted, now bigger than ever, with the Community coming together to enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat, a traditional Shabbos meal and spirited songs and discussions led by the ever-patient Yakov Korer. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka has also made a post-covid comeback; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw.
As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet. Our deliveries of Shabbos packs and Seder night kits continue to reach those who are most in need. The Leytonstone Ko-op has expanded, offering weekly fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Please get in touch if you would like to volunteer at the Ko-op, we are looking for drivers, bag packers, meet and greeters, excel wizards, phone chatters and tea makers!
The young people of our Community are our future. Keeping them connected is our priority. The introduction of a Shabbos morning children’s service, run by Rebbetzin Yehudit and Chaya Austin, provides an invaluable experience for our younger congregants (they also enjoy the sweets!). This year has also seen our adult learning programme move into another gear; the printing of the Tanya in the Synagogue being the catalyst for the introduction of a Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin. Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly on-line Parashat classes.
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin along with their family have been a driving force for our Community over the last year. They have forged close and warm friendships with so many in the community and along with countless visits to those who may feel alone and isolated, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement have infused all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers have made this an exciting year and I feel that there is so much more to come.
Once again, The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. On the first night, despite the heavy rain, a crowd of over 300 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Karen Bellamy and from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin and were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate and live music from the London Klezmer Band. There was much dancing and singing in the rain! Waltham Forest also hosted two new Menorahs this year, one outside the front entrance of Leytonstone Tescos and another featuring in the first ever public Menorah lighting in Orford Road Walthamstow.
Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder led by Levi and Mendy Austin and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot and Seder Night Kits to over 200 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). We celebrated Tu B’Shevat with many fruits. Those who attended our Lag B’Omer celebrations enjoyed a barbecue in the Shul garden. Purim featured a raucous Megillah reading and plenty of Shalach Manot with Leytonstone transformed into the old country with a ‘Purim in the Shtetl’ themed Seuda. This year also included a bigger than ever Leytonstone Arts Trail event, with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and a talk by the Executive Chair of the Ben Uri Gallery.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, the energy and enthusiasm of our Shabbos prayers keeps the light of Jewish life burning brightly in Leytonstone and is a driving force for our communal activities. I would like to thank all those who have supported us over the past year, come rain or shine. Many thanks also to those who have worked so hard to organise services and to those who, led by Carole Vincent, prepared the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
A big thank you to our small but dedicated team of DIYers and gardeners who have been hard at work renovating our building and beautifying our garden. Much work has been done improving our kitchen facilities (we now have an additional freezer and hot water!) and renovating the disabled entrance. Our Synagogue has moved into the 21th Century with the installation of lightning fast broadband, thanks to the negotiation skills of David Boldinger. Our kids play area has been expanded with extra books and games to keep our younger congregants amused.
The revival of the Jewish community in Leytonstone continues. The most valuable contribution you can make is your participation, so join us this coming month as we celebrate the High Holy Days. Why not come along to Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich this Rosh Hashanah. Get your year off to a great start within a beautiful setting, just a short walk from the Synagogue. Also, if you have not yet had the chance, come and daven with us at a Shabbos service followed by a Kiddush or why not come along to one of our online Shiurim or pop along to the Ko-op on Friday morning for a tea and a chat.
We would like to keep on doing what we do and to start doing much more but we need your help. For this year’s Kol Nidre Appeal we would appreciate any financial contributions that you feel able to make, which will be devoted to the running of our Shul for the year ahead and to help us keep growing our community. Please send your cheque or make an online payment using the details at the end of this letter.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Account name: Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue
Account Number: 10531936
Sort Code: 40 04 17
Registered Charity Number 1185624
Account Number: 10531936
Sort Code: 40 04 17
Registered Charity Number 1185624