Simchat Torah 2024 / 5785-Simchat Torah 2024 / 5785 was celebrated in the usual Brentwood Reform Style with singing and dancing, pretty much everyone present managed to have a turn at dancing with the Sefer Torah. Our little ones, as ever, were included, as they went around with the baby scroll specifically for that purpose. Whilst the baby scroll is printed, it still has the full text, a little blue mantle and of course its own yad. In a slight change this year, music was played via speakers and the words of the songs were projected up onto the wall next to the Ark. A brilliant innovation, thanks to Jeniffer and Alon. Our honourees were, Kallah Bereshit Nicole and Chatan Torah Louis who both read beautifully. Engraved gifts, certificates and letters from Reform Judaism were presented to our honourees by our Chair, Judith. Following the Simchat Torah tradition, with 4 people holding it, the children present were given the Aaronic blessing under Louis’ large tallit by service leader Natasha. Of course, what kind of Jewish celebration would it be without food. A plentiful kiddish was provided and enjoyed by all. Our resident photographer, Geoff was on hand snapping away. This year Geoff had a young assistant, 9-year-old Keila. Geoff provided plenty of wonderful photos as always. Budding photographer Keila, using a camera donated by a Shul member, produced some very good photos. Check out the photo of Keila’s little brother Gidon carrying the baby scroll that was mentioned earlier. Nifty photography by a 9-year-old!
Simchat Torah-Celebrating Simchat Torah 2023 / 5784 On Sunday 8th October 2023 corresponding to 22nd Tishri 5784, our community came together to celebrate Simchat Torah. This year whilst it was a joyous occasion, as of course Simchat Torah is, the community celebrations were tempered with sadness and anger over the terrorist attacks the day before in Israel. Some 1300 people, mainly civilians, including many children and babies, were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists as they were about to celebrate Simchat Torah. A call went out to Jews worldwide to ensure they celebrated Simchat Torah in defiance of the terrorist attacks on our people. Thus, our celebrations went ahead as planned. It was wonderful to watch our community come together to sing and dance with the Torah. Our little ones for whom a traditional Scroll is too heavy were not left out, we have a small Sefer Torah kept for just this occasion. So, wrapped in Tallit, our smaller children took part in the dancing with their very own child sized Sefer Torah. Following the traditional 7 rounds of singing and dancing, our Chatan Torah Cliff and Kallah Bereshit Jan read their parsha’s from the Scrolls. Natasha, as is the tradition on Simchat Torah, blessed the children under a Tallit held aloft by 4 Shul members. No Jewish celebration is complete without food, thus, the celebration was followed by a beautiful kiddish provided by Kaye’tering in Hainault.
