TELL May-June 2020

k’dosha, a sacred community, our
concern for the physical welfare
of you and all your household,
is equal to our emotional and
spiritual support for you.
There is a tremendous spike in
energy present amongst our clergy
and staff in the work we are doing.
As a leader in the community, I am
known to encourage innovation.
But what a crisis does is enable us
all to see things differently, and look
for ways in which we could do
things better or more effectively.
As our perspective changes,
opportunities in the “new world
order” become glaringly obvious.
At Emanuel Synagogue we are
united and driven by the intensely
human desire to help, to connect
with other people, and be part
of the solution. How can we be
relevant and embrace the challenge
at this time? Eighteen months
ago, we set out on the journey
to become a Synagogue and a
Cultural Community. We have
now embarked on building a new
virtual platform to complement
our traditional face to face offering.
Many of you have joined us on
this journey so far. We have
more people participate in our
morning Minyan that runs six
days a week, and last week's movie
screening had around 400 people.
This virtual platform provides
connectivity for more people
here at home and globally, with
access to our services, education
and all our cultural events.
What are we, but a reflection of
our society and our community
that we create, and with whom we
surround ourselves? As I sit at home,
I personally reflect on what really
matters in our lives - our family,
friends and our community. This
pandemic is highlighting the values
that really draw us together. I believe
at the end of this pandemic, whilst
we may be limited to using social
media and our telephones, we will
also value personal interaction,
true friendship and love.
As much as I have been describing
some of the opportunities
and positives brought about
by this crisis, it is not without
acknowledgement and appreciation
of the negative impact it is having
on the economy and people's lives.
However, I do believe that this is
an unprecedented opportunity for
all of us to all band together and
practise our love for each other.
I am truly looking forward to the
first Shabbat, or breaking of the fast
after Yom Kippur that will be made
more special for us and our loved
ones, when we reconnect and can
hold each other close once more.
I am sending you all love in this
complex time. You all are very much
on my mind and in my heart.
SUSTAINING THE
ENVIRONMENT &
HEALING THE WORLD
12
SOCIAL JUSTICE SPOTLIGHT -
PETER KEEDA
19
AFTER THE FIRES
Corinne Fernandez-Marko
CONNECTING WITH ISRAEL
& WORLD JEWRY
10
IN CONVERSATION
COMMUNITY
4
CEO UPDATE
27
BNEI MITZVAH
28
NEW MEMBERS
28
TZEDAKAH
34
MAZAL TOV
35
PUZZLE PAGE
5