Dear Members, At this time of year, it is traditional to look back over the past 12 months and consider what has happened (a review if you will) but also to look forward with dreams and hopes for what the coming year might hold. Given what we have all had to endure during 2020, I am sure that we would all rather look forward and that is certainly what we should be doing. As we are now in the most severe and extreme lockdown since back in the Spring, we will hopefully find ways to connect even more strongly with family and friends. It will not be easy, but we are blessed to live in remarkable technological times which will help to facilitate connections via the many digital platforms available. We will hopefully also maintain a firm connection with our community and with our faith. While Shul is such an anchor for all of us, the absence of the physical abode is somewhat alleviated with our excellent online programmes – including the highly acclaimed preShabbat communal gathering on Zoom, as well as daily classes and other excellent programmes. One of these incredible Stanmore initiatives is our Tehillim Group. This is a group of our members who say a Psalm at least once a week in Hebrew or English for people who are unwell. You are able to do this from the safety of your own home at a time that suits you. You are allocated your own Psalm (a different one each month) and sent a list of Hebrew names of those who are unwell and need our prayers (the Refuah List). I hope that you consider joining this group as I know how important these prayers are for the relatives of those who are unwell. Please contact John Marchant at [johnlmarchant@hotmail.com] to receive your "Welcome Pack" or if you have any questions. I am extremely grateful to him for undertaking this project on behalf of the community. In addition, I think it important, as we enter a period of a further national lockdown, that I mention again that Stanmore Synagogue Community Care is here to help. If you are feeling lonely, vulnerable, challenged in any way, and you would like a friendly chat or some help or advice, then I would urge you to please call or email in complete confidence. Their telephone number is 020 8954 3300 and their email address is [sscc@stanmoresynagogue.org] As ever, it is vital that we ensure the wellbeing of all our members and, particularly with the increased restrictions we must all do our part to look out for our neighbours and friends who may need our help and support (whether big or small). We thank you for your continued support and in the meantime, be well and healthy and importantly stay safe. Best wishes Jeremy Harris Chair
Samantha Jacobs ViceChair
David Rosen ViceChair