On Tuesday 6th April, our community came together for the first in person Communal Seder for 3 years. As you can imagine, this was quite a momentous occasion. The Seder was well attended with friends CFI and from a group from local Church, led by Reverend Julie attending. A great, fun evening was enjoyed by all. Nathan read the Ma-Nishtana, which was followed by Holly singing it. Massive thanks to Karen and Amelia for all the help they gave with the mountain of washing and clearing up. Please have a look at the photos from the Seder.

Our Community came together for a fun filled morning celebrating Purim. Rabbi David encouraged everyone present to get into the spirit of Purim by dressing up. Rabbi David was transformed into a Ship’s Captain, very appropriate as he steered us through reading The Magilla of Esther, with the obligatory Cheering of Mordechai and Esther whilst enthusiastically Booing Haman. Following the service many Hamantaschen were consumed thanks to Nicole for providing these traditional, delicious treats.

On a beautiful Sunday morning, the community came together to build our Sukka and celebrate Sukkot. The children, with a little adult input helped to decorate the Sukka.  Natasha then led a short service culminating in shaking the Luluv & Etrog. Everyone  took part in this age old tradition with the younger children smelling the Etrog & then guessing what kind of fruit it was. Most of the little ones guessing, as expected that the Etrog was a lemon. As has become the practice at Brentwood Reform, we collected food for the foodbank in lieu of the traditional fruit and vegetables that are hung in the Sukka. We did of…

Our community gathered to celebrate Simchat Torah with the service being led this year by Louis. Our Chatan Torah this year was Elliot, who read Devarim expertly from the Sefer Torah. Unfortunately, Elliot’s wife, Suzanne our Kallah Bereshit was stuck at home with a sick child. Our heartfelt thank went out to Amanda who stepped in to read Bereshit at the very last minute in Suzanne’s stead. A nerve-wracking experience when you have only had 2 hours notice. Congregant’s and guests then enjoyed a lovely kiddish and some time to socialise with Elliot taking a little of the kiddish home to Suzanne and Daniel.

The last week in August 2022 saw Jan and Louis off to Manchester to visit Granddaughter Holly at University. Whilst in Manchester, Jan and Louis took the opportunity to visit Manchester’s Jewish Museum. The museum is housed in the grade II listed building that was the former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue. The first challenge was finding the building, Jan said, “Google maps showed the location of the building only a 5 minute drive from where we were staying. However, with roadworks and not actually being able to drive down Cheetham Hill from the end we approached, we almost gave up! After driving around in circles for half an hour, ignoring…

On Shabbat 12th February we were delighted to, at last, return to face to face services. Zoom has been amazing and kept the community together, however there is no doubt actually being together cannot be beaten. Over the last couple of years whilst we have been using Zoom, we had been considering moving premises. We have been very lucky to procure a lovely large, secure hall, with a smaller hall and kitchen leading directly off of it. Ideal for Bnei Mitzvah. Sadly, a couple of key community members did not feel comfortable joining our first service, however, they hope to return in the very near future.  Please see the photo…

Thanks to everyone who recently attended our Chanukah celebration, it was great seeing so many of you and hopefully we will see you all in person very soon.

On Shabbat 10th July 2021, Benjamin became Bar Mitzvah. Due to COVID, Mum Nicole decided in advance,  in the interests of safety, Ben’s Bar Mitzvah would be held in her garden. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a cold wet, windy morning. However, taking into account  the temperamental English weather Nicole had already made plans for such an event and a large marquee had been erected in the garden. Ben and Nicole had requested that rather than having Rabbi David lead the service, they would like our Community leader Natasha, a friend of Nicole for well over 30 years & known to Nicole’s 3 children, Mark, Benjamin and Charlotte as…

On Shabbat 15th May 2021, Max had his Bar Mitzvah. Sadly, due to COVID restrictions, as with many other children, Max’s Bar Mitzvah was via Zoom. It was held in Grandparents’ Jan & Louis’ conservatory and  attended by Max, his parents, Grandparents and 1 sibling in person. However, the rest of the family and friends attended via Zoom, seeing total well over 100 attendees. Max, as expected, did himself and his family proud.  For Max’s family on his mother’s side, particularly his Granddad Louis, it was especially poignant, as Max chose to wear his Great Grandfather’s tallit. Sadly Max never actually knew his Great Granddad (known as Poppa to all of his…