Dear Members, Tomorrow night, we celebrate the first night of the festival of Chanukah. It is pleasing that, PG, this coming Shabbat morning, we will be reopening our Synagogue. Chanukah is such a beautiful and happy festival. Perfectly placed in the darkest time of the winter, the lights lift the gloom and show that with a little hope and belief tremendous salvation follows. PG our return to Shul is another step in the right direction towards some sort of normality. Towards brightening up our community life. After so many weeks away from the Shul, it will certainly feel good to be back! As we try to get back to some form of "normality" with our Shul services, it is opportune to remind those members who will be attending Shul services of the protocols that we will continue to implement from prior to the last lockdown. This will ensure the highest standards of hygiene and protection to facilitate a safe, healthy and secure experience for our members. Here is a reminder of our regulations: Members are reminded to bring their own face masks and prayer books (and Chumash for Shabbat) to the Synagogue – men should also bring their own Tallit. Face masks are to be worn at all times when on the Synagogue premises. Hand sanitisers will be available for use throughout the Shul premises and members will be asked to sanitise when they arrive and leave (and when using the conveniences). Members are asked to arrive at the Synagogue no earlier than between 1015 minutes prior to the start time of their particular service. Upon arrival at the Synagogue, member's names will be checked against their booking details (and members may be asked certain Covid19 health related questions). We ask for your understanding during this process. Any queuing will need to be done in a socially distanced way. Cloakrooms will not be in operation at Shul and you will be asked to take all your belongings to your seat. Conveniences will however be open and available in the Shul. Whilst we wish for our members to participate as much as possible in each service, members are reminded that singing is not permitted under current applicable guidelines – only the Chazan leading the service is permitted to sing. If you are feeling at all unwell, please do not attend Shul. Please adhere to social distancing at all times while at Shul and follow the directions and regulations of the Honorary Executive, the Wardens and our volunteers Covid Marshals (for whose efforts we are extremely grateful). Prebooking, as ever, is essential for all Shabbat and midweek services and we would ask for your cooperation with this. The links to bookings for both our midweek and Shabbat services are as follows: [weekdayservices] [shabbatservices] I would also remind members that bookings for Shabbat services will close on the previous Wednesday at midday, so please ensure that you book early to avoid disappointment. As before, we sincerely hope and pray that the experience that our members will have in Shul will be as fulfilling as it can be, despite the situation which we find ourselves in. I would also remind members that all the policies and decisions sanctioned by our Shul Executive are made on the basis of current government advice. This coming Thursday evening, please come and join the Chief Rabbi in conversation with the new Israeli Ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely starting at 7:00pm.You can watch the conversation, preceded by Chanukah candle lighting on [YouTube Rabbi Mirvis] And talking of YouTube, if you have not yet subscribed to SACPS' YouTube Channel, please do so at [YouTube SACPS] In the meantime, please stay well and healthy and as always thank you for your considerable support and understanding in these challenging times.
Best wishes Jeremy Harris Chair
Samantha Jacobs ViceChair
David Rosen ViceChair