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Chairman's New Year Message
This year has been one of growth. Our Community has grown spiritually, our activities have expanded, our membership is increasing and more volunteers have stepped up to get involved. Once again, the year started with bigger crowds then ever gathered at Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich. If you have not attended this event, please join us this Rosh Hashanah at this beautiful setting, just a short walk from the Synagogue.
I am pleased to announce the strengthening of our executive with the addition of Melvyn Gandz FCA to the Board of Management. Melvyn brings a wealth of experience of Synagogue management and we look forward to working with him on strategic future planning. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sammy Ebrahimoff as Warden, Karen Albert as Administration Official and Carole Vincent as Membership Official.
This year saw the first Chuppah in the Synagogue for 30 years, attended by over 100 people from the local community. Other Simchas celebrated in the Synagogue included two Aufrufs, a wedding anniversary and a 90th birthday party. All were accompanied by that special Leytonstone exuberance, friendliness and joy. May we see many more Simchas in the years to come.
However, this year was also tinged with sadness at the passing of our President Stanley Cirsch O”H. Stanley, a son of founder members, was an inspiration to the Community. He led by example, attending from the age of three until his nineties. Come rain, come shine, he would be in Shul Shabbos morning. Last year, as always, he leined his Barmitzah portion and he stood at the Aron HaKodesh throughout the Neilah service at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. He will be missed but I believe his legacy is the Leytonstone community and I think the best way we can honour him is to ensure that our community is here for another 100 years.
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin along with their family have brought an extra dynamism to our Community over the last year. Along with countless visits to those in our Community who may feel alone and isolated and the ‘Mezuzahs to Your Door’ and Tefillin campaigns, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement have infused all Shul services and events. With the joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers, I feel sure our community has an exciting future.
Over the past year, together, we have taken our community to a new level. The Leytonstone Ko-op continues to thrive, offering weekly fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Our deliveries of Shabbos packs and Seder night kits continue to reach those who need them and there are many more Challahs being baked in Leytonstone, thanks to the Ladies Challah Make class led by Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin. More of us are now prepared for Shabbos morning thanks to the ever patient Yakov Korer and his weekly on-line Parashat classes.
Once again, The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. On the eighth night, despite the rain, a crowd of over 250 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. And as the rain stopped, we all witnessed a moment of beauty and great pride for the Jewish Community, Chazan Itzik Kohn’s haunting rendition of the blessings, his voice projecting over the streets of Leytonstone. The crowd also enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste and Rabbis Lew and Austin and were treated to doughnuts, hot chocolate and live music from Freylech Klezmer Dance Band.
Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder led by Levi and Mendy Austin and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot and Seder Night Kits to over 150 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). Our first ever ‘Sushi in the Sukkah’ event received rave reviews. 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. This year also included the Leytonstone Arts Trail with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and a talk on Jewish Art.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, inspired during the dark winter months by the davening of Chazzan Menasche Scharf, 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 prepared the splendid kiddush 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. We think the garden is looking better than ever; thanks to all those who watered it during the drought! This year also sees the introduction of our kids play area with 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. 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 below or just click the donate button! We are now a registered charity, so please register with us for Gift Aid here.
Finally I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
I am pleased to announce the strengthening of our executive with the addition of Melvyn Gandz FCA to the Board of Management. Melvyn brings a wealth of experience of Synagogue management and we look forward to working with him on strategic future planning. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sammy Ebrahimoff as Warden, Karen Albert as Administration Official and Carole Vincent as Membership Official.
This year saw the first Chuppah in the Synagogue for 30 years, attended by over 100 people from the local community. Other Simchas celebrated in the Synagogue included two Aufrufs, a wedding anniversary and a 90th birthday party. All were accompanied by that special Leytonstone exuberance, friendliness and joy. May we see many more Simchas in the years to come.
However, this year was also tinged with sadness at the passing of our President Stanley Cirsch O”H. Stanley, a son of founder members, was an inspiration to the Community. He led by example, attending from the age of three until his nineties. Come rain, come shine, he would be in Shul Shabbos morning. Last year, as always, he leined his Barmitzah portion and he stood at the Aron HaKodesh throughout the Neilah service at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. He will be missed but I believe his legacy is the Leytonstone community and I think the best way we can honour him is to ensure that our community is here for another 100 years.
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin along with their family have brought an extra dynamism to our Community over the last year. Along with countless visits to those in our Community who may feel alone and isolated and the ‘Mezuzahs to Your Door’ and Tefillin campaigns, their limitless enthusiasm and encouragement have infused all Shul services and events. With the joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers, I feel sure our community has an exciting future.
Over the past year, together, we have taken our community to a new level. The Leytonstone Ko-op continues to thrive, offering weekly fresh Challahs, Chulent, Kiddush Wine and everything you may need for Shabbos. Our deliveries of Shabbos packs and Seder night kits continue to reach those who need them and there are many more Challahs being baked in Leytonstone, thanks to the Ladies Challah Make class led by Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin. More of us are now prepared for Shabbos morning thanks to the ever patient Yakov Korer and his weekly on-line Parashat classes.
Once again, The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. On the eighth night, despite the rain, a crowd of over 250 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. And as the rain stopped, we all witnessed a moment of beauty and great pride for the Jewish Community, Chazan Itzik Kohn’s haunting rendition of the blessings, his voice projecting over the streets of Leytonstone. The crowd also enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste and Rabbis Lew and Austin and were treated to doughnuts, hot chocolate and live music from Freylech Klezmer Dance Band.
Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder led by Levi and Mendy Austin and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot and Seder Night Kits to over 150 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). Our first ever ‘Sushi in the Sukkah’ event received rave reviews. 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. This year also included the Leytonstone Arts Trail with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and a talk on Jewish Art.
With an ever-strengthening Minyan, inspired during the dark winter months by the davening of Chazzan Menasche Scharf, 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 prepared the splendid kiddush 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. We think the garden is looking better than ever; thanks to all those who watered it during the drought! This year also sees the introduction of our kids play area with 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. 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 below or just click the donate button! We are now a registered charity, so please register with us for Gift Aid here.
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