From Zoe

It feels so wonderfully appropriate that this edition of Shofar is about how and where we make our homes.

FPS has become home for me – and I love it. And yet, I realised, it was time to go.

It turns out Jacinda Ardern had much the same thoughts, and she put them more eloquently than I could. I quote (with truly only a few edits!)

“Working at FPS is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, but also one of the more challenging. You cannot, and should not do it unless you have a full tank, plus, a bit in reserve for those unexpected challenges…

I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice…We give all that we can, for as long as we can, and then it’s time. And for me, it’s time.”

I am so grateful that you shared your lives, your children, your stories and your community with me. It has been such a pleasure. I have laughed so much. I have cried so much (though that’s no great surprise). I have learnt so much – with you, and from you.

I cannot have shared my life, my days and my work with Rabbi Rebecca without some love of Mary Oliver rubbing off. I found a quote from The Summer Day where she asks “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”. I feel like I’m on a precipice –because the answer is, I truly don’t know. I hope to take some time off, to swim and sleep and dance and walk… and during that time perhaps my next steps will show themselves.

I am so pleased that I am handing over Ivriah and KT, temporarily at least, to Natasha Kafka and John Rubinstein. I leave our children in the safest, kindest, most knowledgeable and joyful hands I know.

I know the Exec and Rabbi Rebecca have plans to appoint someone new in April. From our Crafternoons to Purim Spiels, kiddush rotas to High Holy Day charities, they will take these on with energy and new ideas and I can tell them only that it is a privilege, a joy, and only occasionally a headache.

I cannot leave – and goodness it feels so strange to type those words – without saying a few thank yous…

To the Exec and to Council for their kindness, generosity of time and knowledge and their enthusiasm. I have been supported at every step.

To Pauline, and more recently Caroline, who are both phenomenal colleagues, chocolate sharers, story tellers and problem solvers.

To Rabbi Rebecca, for making me a better person and a better educator. You inspire me more than I can put into words.

And to our wonderful children and teenagers, who have taught me more than anyone else, and who have made me laugh so much my tummy hurts.

I will miss FPS so much, but I will pop back very soon.

With love, Zoe