We Jews have just come to the end of an extended sequence of religious festivals following upon our New Year. But, as you can imagine, this year’s celebrations have been very muted. A deep, dark shadow has fallen across our lives. Two weeks ago was Yom Kippur, when our synagogues are packed full for the annual fast, when we pray to God to forgive us for our sins. But this year, we were sinned against, as a knife-wielding fanatic tried to gain entrance to a packed synagogue in north Manchester. Two ordinary worshippers were murdered. It could have been many more. Then, on 7th October, we again gathered in our synagogues for the late harvest festival of Sukkot and also commemorated the second…

Brentwood Reform is delighted that the 20 remaining living hostages:- Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Elkana Bohbot, Avinatan Or, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Evyatar David, Rom Braslabski, Segev Kalfon, Maxim Herkin, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen. have now been safely returned to Israel. We pray for the peace of Israel and her people, never forgetting the almost 1000 IDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow citizens. May their memory and the memories of those brutally murdered both on 7th October 2023 and those murdered in Hamas captivity over the last 2 years be a blessing.…

In our tradition, any excuse for a full kiddish is a good one. Soon Shabbat 14th June, we got together to socialize. Around a table of food we chatted and met the Rabbi who will be leading our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.  Delicious food as always supplied by Debra Kaye, a lovely time was had by all.

On the 2nd Seder night Sunday 13th April 2025, members of Brentwood Reform once again came together to celebrate Pesach. Following the very successful formation of used for the last 2 years, members brought their own vegetarian or fish main course, with all other ritual food provided. William & Frederick thanks to practising with mum, Andrea, sang the Manishtana beautifully. It’s such a joy and mitzvah to have children to sing the manishtana at a communal Seder, particularly for a small community.  We had a delicious assortment of pesadik sweet treats with our tea & coffee to finish the meal. This year young Alena, 4 years old, attending her first…

On the evening of 26th January, Brentwood Reform once again joined with Christian Friend of Israel, (CFI) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Holocaust Memorial Day. Moira of CFI opened with a very moving address to over 300 people who were present. Or guest speaker, a very knowledge John Levy spoke very movingly, recounting the story of his family experience of this tragic time in the history of the Jews and indeed the world.  Further addresses were made by the Mayor of Brentwood, Mark Haigh and the Rt Honorable Alex Burghart. Natasha of Brentwood Reform led the lighting of 7 yahrzeit candles, 1 representing each of the million Jews slaughtered in the holocaust plus this year 1 for…

So, this year 2024/5785 was somewhat unusual in that the first night of Chanukkiah coincided with Christmas day. We were sure no one would turn up for the first candle, so our community got together for our Chanukkah party on the 5th night. Natasha recounted the story of the Maccabees, then the children gathered around for some great Chanukkah activities, even our youngest member, Ezra, at only 20 months joined in. Coloring in is a very serious business you know. Making his own dreidel was a little above him this year though. The other children all seemed to enjoy the activities, particularly personalizing their own wooden dreidels. It was a…