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A
message from our Chairman
- Gerald Brandes
Having
recently reached my half century I vividly remember
the changing face of East End Jewry. Gone are the fifty
or more shuls when I was a boy as there are now only
3. Many years ago you could gain access to any shul
- day or night, but today they are locked with security.
Rabbis were in abundance, now we have none. Those shuls
had large families to support them, now they have none.
We have reversed that trend as we now have a Reverend
and a Rabbi.
You were always assured of a minyan in those days but
now we have to plan to ensure we retain our minyan on
Friday night and Shabbas morning. With your help, we
will be increasing the minyan and our community.
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The
average age of the community has considerably reduced
from 70 to 50 and recently celebrated a bris in the shul,
so further reducing the average age. We have many plans
to encourage the involvement of younger people within
the shul.
The
atmosphere in our shul is very friendly and visitors
are made very welcome. We try to help people who have
a limited knowledge of Hebrew. Mourners needing help
reciting kaddish are tactfully assisted so they feel
involved in the service. During our services, page numbers
are announced so it is easier to follow a service. There
are many people available to help you within our shul.
Last
year we celebrated our centenary with the guest of honour
the Chief Rabbi. This was an extremely pleasant and
successful event which gave our East End community a
tremendous boost.
Continued on page 3.
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