Rosh Hashanah is a both a joyous and contemplative time.
Traditionally it’s time when families gather and communities swell.
It’s a time also to look inside ourselves, at what we have done and what more we could do. For some the circumstances won’t afford the opportunity to be with others. However, we can look inside ourselves whether we are in synagogue or not.
We spend much of the time during these holy days contemplating the bond we have with God. Avraham was by himself when taking Isaac to be sacrificed. Moshe was by himself when he received the Torah from Hashem.
We cannot engage with others when we take a look inside ourselves; when we gather en mass in synagogue we have to mentally divorce ourselves, make ourselves separate and alone, to take that look inside and have that personal one on one conversation with God.
Being ‘by yourself’ is not the definition of being alone.
When we look inside ourselves this Rosh Hashanah, we will all be together as a Jewish people, Bnei Yisrael. As it is said, we were all under the mountain, both those living then and the generations yet to come, when Moshe brought us the Torah from God.
Whether we are crushed shoulder to shoulder in a synagogue or by ourselves, wherever we are, we will share being both alone and yet together as well.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T LIVE IN NORTH LONDON…
The 2021 UK Census prompted us to look again at the number of Jews living outside the major cities.
This revealed a much higher number than we previously estimated, at around 65,000. That means 25% of the total Jewish population come within the JSCN remit, being either fully engaged with a smaller community or living remotely and engaging when they need to.
SURVEY
Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey. The response was phenomenal and has given us the evidence we need to plan for the next three years.
OUR PROGRAMME FOR 5784 begins early with
- ONE Shabbat 8/9th September
- 1st Annual SUMMIT for Small Communities, 22nd October
Virtual this year and going to work towards making it in-person as soon as we can. - Judaism Talks Conference #2 in November
- “Antisemitism and Me” workshops
- Training lay members to lead services
- Virtual Study groups
- In-person regional meetings
- Skills development to help your management team.
I hope you can join us
Shana Tova Umetuka – Have a happy and sweet new year
& Wishing you well over the Fast
G’mar Chatima Tova – May you be sealed in the Book of Life
ED HORWICH
Chief Executive Jewish Small Communities Network
September 2023 / Tishri 5784