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Chairman's New Year Message 5785
We started this year on a high, an inspiring late night Selichot followed by uplifting High Holy Days services, bigger crowds then ever gathering at Hollow Pond to hear the Shofar and for Tashlich and much joy as we celebrated Sukkot, for the first time in the New Leytonstone Sukkah. However, the exuberant celebrations of Simchat Torah were quickly replaced by the horror and disbelief of the events of 7th October, the biggest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. As a Community, we pray for the speedy release of all the hostages. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones, all of our brothers and sisters in Israel and everyone affected by the ongoing situation.
In the wake of these tragic events, I am proud to say that our Community has not been cowed by the rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. We take strength from the knowledge that our Community is part of Am Yisrael and that we share in the thousands of years of history and culture of the Jewish people. In Leytonstone, our Jewish identity remains steadfast and we will not be deflected. We think that the only fitting response to is to redouble our efforts to strengthen our connection with our culture, spirituality and each other, to find the extra energy to reach out further to all those who may feel isolated, lonely or scared and to rededicate ourselves to help grow our Community and communal activities.
This challenge gave us the determination to make our Chanukah celebrations this year bigger and better than ever. The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. The lights projecting a message of hope during these difficult times. On the fourth night a crowd of over 350 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Roy Berg and from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin and were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate, live music from Stew Curtis’ Klezmer Without Borders and a high octane LED martial arts performance by Manic of Infinity Circus. Now into its second year, the Menorah lighting in Orford Road Walthamstow has already established itself as an annual event with the locals, with attendance this year doubling.
Over the past year, communal life continues to thrive within Leytonstone. Friday night at Leytonstone is as popular as ever, featuring Kabbalat Shabbat, a traditional Shabbos meal and spirited songs and discussions led by the ever-patient Yakov Korer. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka continues to grow; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw. The Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin, with its dedicated following, is now into its second year and Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly on-line Parashat classes. And for the first time, a Shul trip to Brighton, including a tour of the Jewish sites of interest, ending up at the Jewish community centre in Hove for a delicious meal. Thank you Isar Rosenberg for arranging all of this.
Holocaust Memorial Day this year took on extra significance and we were honoured that Waltham Forest Council entrusted us with organising and participating in their event within the Council Chambers. Thank you to Rafi Sanford for his beautiful singing and to all the members of the community who read at the ceremony, and the many who attended this moving event. Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot to over 250 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). 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 saw a thrilling talk with accounts of Jewish life under Communism, and the Leytonstone Arts Trail event, with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and artisans.
Our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet, with our deliveries of Shabbos packs reaching those who are most in need; a big thank you to our two dedicated drivers, Howard Albert and Nigel Allsuch. Our Friday morning Leytonstone Ko-op continues to offer 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!
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin, along with their family, continue to be a driving force for our Community. 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 infuse all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers form a dynamic team, giving much optimism for our future.
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 the foundation for all 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 Hannah Erez, prepare the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
The revival of the Jewish community in Leytonstone continues. The most valuable contribution you can make is your participation. So please 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 our community growing. Please send your cheque or make an online payment by clicking the donate button or using the bank details below.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Am Yisrael Chai.
In the wake of these tragic events, I am proud to say that our Community has not been cowed by the rising tide of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. We take strength from the knowledge that our Community is part of Am Yisrael and that we share in the thousands of years of history and culture of the Jewish people. In Leytonstone, our Jewish identity remains steadfast and we will not be deflected. We think that the only fitting response to is to redouble our efforts to strengthen our connection with our culture, spirituality and each other, to find the extra energy to reach out further to all those who may feel isolated, lonely or scared and to rededicate ourselves to help grow our Community and communal activities.
This challenge gave us the determination to make our Chanukah celebrations this year bigger and better than ever. The Leytonstone Menorah shone brightly opposite the tube station throughout Chanukah. The lights projecting a message of hope during these difficult times. On the fourth night a crowd of over 350 from the local community gathered for the communal Menorah lighting. The crowd enjoyed speeches from the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Roy Berg and from Rabbi Yitzchok Austin and were treated to doughnuts, latkes, hot chocolate, live music from Stew Curtis’ Klezmer Without Borders and a high octane LED martial arts performance by Manic of Infinity Circus. Now into its second year, the Menorah lighting in Orford Road Walthamstow has already established itself as an annual event with the locals, with attendance this year doubling.
Over the past year, communal life continues to thrive within Leytonstone. Friday night at Leytonstone is as popular as ever, featuring Kabbalat Shabbat, a traditional Shabbos meal and spirited songs and discussions led by the ever-patient Yakov Korer. Our Saturday night Melaveh Malka continues to grow; Havdalah, hot potatoes, songs and stories to brighten up the winter evenings, led by the multi-talented Dovid Shaw. The Sunday morning Shiur led by Rabbi Austin, with its dedicated following, is now into its second year and Yakov Korer continues to prepare us for Shabbos morning thanks to his weekly on-line Parashat classes. And for the first time, a Shul trip to Brighton, including a tour of the Jewish sites of interest, ending up at the Jewish community centre in Hove for a delicious meal. Thank you Isar Rosenberg for arranging all of this.
Holocaust Memorial Day this year took on extra significance and we were honoured that Waltham Forest Council entrusted us with organising and participating in their event within the Council Chambers. Thank you to Rafi Sanford for his beautiful singing and to all the members of the community who read at the ceremony, and the many who attended this moving event. Pesach saw a spirited Communal Seder and unprecedented deliveries of Shemura Matzot to over 250 people in the local area (in an environmentally friendly way thanks to Levi, Mendy, Elchonon and their bikes!). 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 saw a thrilling talk with accounts of Jewish life under Communism, and the Leytonstone Arts Trail event, with an exhibition in the Synagogue featuring local artists and artisans.
Our Community continues to rise to the challenge of helping those who are finding it hard to make ends meet, with our deliveries of Shabbos packs reaching those who are most in need; a big thank you to our two dedicated drivers, Howard Albert and Nigel Allsuch. Our Friday morning Leytonstone Ko-op continues to offer 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!
Rabbi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Yehudit Austin, along with their family, continue to be a driving force for our Community. 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 infuse all Shul services and events. The joint forces of the Austin Family and our growing group of volunteers form a dynamic team, giving much optimism for our future.
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 the foundation for all 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 Hannah Erez, prepare the splendid kiddushim and lunches each week.
The revival of the Jewish community in Leytonstone continues. The most valuable contribution you can make is your participation. So please 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 our community growing. Please send your cheque or make an online payment by clicking the donate button or using the bank details below.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members and supporters a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.
Am Yisrael Chai.
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