As we approach winter and the clocks go back this coming weekend, it is clear that the so called ‘spike’ in coronavirus cases is having its effect across the country and here in our area of East London and Essex. We are now in the ‘Tier Two’ stage of local restrictions. We cannot deny that […]
The rules affecting all of us as members of a community straddling East London and Essex will change at midnight tonight. In many settings, going up a tier might be a good thing, but not so in terms of the Coronavirus three tier system. The move to tier 2 is a confirmation that things have […]
The latest sudden change in the weather has beaten the prayers for rain that characterise the ending of Sukkot. Instead, the Jewish community of the UK is anticipating dwelling in rather damp Sukkot, while maintaining the latest Covid-19 rules – no more than six, etc. Sukkot reminds us of the fragility of life, living in […]
On Sunday evening, we shall hold our Kol Nidre service in which we will be talking about this years’ High Holy Day Appeal. As with every year, there are many charities that really deserve to be recipients of these appeals. However this year, particularly in view of the situation we all face with Covid 19, […]
Rosh Hashanah 5781 Sermon by Rabbi Richard Jacobi Rabbi Lawrence Kushner abbreviates the first two of the Ten Commandments to four words. Instead of a paragraph-long first commandment “I am the Eternal one your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,” he used two words. Instead […]
Dear Member, HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES 2020 – 5781 Following our letter of last month, where we wrote to you with an initial outline of the plans for this year’s High Holy Days, we write again, two weeks ahead of Rosh Hashanah (beginning on Friday evening 18th Sept) to lay out our plans and provide […]
Today sees us enter the month of Ellul- marking a month before the High Holy Days and the Jewish New Year at Rosh Hashanah. Among the customs associated with the month of Ellul is that we now begin the process of thinking back through the past twelve months, the decisions that we’ve made, our actions, our […]
As part of the Shul’s ongoing duty to keep our community safe, Council has agreed that this year’s High Holy Day services should be held online only. Although Council considered options where some members might be able to attend in person, ultimately online-only services were considered the best option for all. While this will give […]
(originally sent to members on Friday 14th August) This Shabbat is all about linked 75th anniversaries. Why bother to mark them? I know, as do many of you, how distressing dementia is. The effects are devastating for the individual suffering from this disease, but can be as bad, if not worse, for those who know […]
Current Local Status (Local Authority area): Epping Forest – Medium Havering – Medium Newham – Medium Redbridge – Medium Waltham Forest – Medium You can find out the Local COVID Alert Level in your area with GOV.UK postcode checker https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions Update 23rd September- no changes to current ELELS practices following updated guidance from government Update […]