Dear Members, I trust that you are keeping safe and well. As we have done throughout this pandemic, the Honorary Executive, continues to consider and monitor when it may be appropriate and safe for us to reopen our doors to communal worship. We are certainly hopeful that given the current reduction in infection rates and hospital admissions, that this time may be approaching soon PG. Our decision on the safe opening and operation of our Shul has always been based on local conditions, not just on the national figure. We are in close contact with the London Borough of Harrow and local health authorities to determine the appropriate manner in which we can open safely. This will continue to be our barometer for a return to our beloved Shul. However, as our Prime Minister said on Monday, the threat remains substantial, with the numbers in hospital only now beginning to fall below the peak of the first wave in April. It is therefore important for us not to rush and to make the right decision for our community and the wellbeing of all of our members. We must of course, be aware that when we do "open up", we must be more vigilant than ever and certainly our approach should continue to be one be one of caution. We hope to give further updates on our progress and thinking next week. Continuing to look forward, tomorrow, on the evening of Thursday 25 February, we will PG be celebrating Purim. Although our Synagogue is not physically open, we will still be celebrating Purim with a Zoom Megillah reading for the community by Rabbi Lew on Thursday night at 7:15pm on the Synagogue's usual Zoom channel, which can be accessed by logging in at [Zoom] – Password: 648395. Our teens will have their own Megillah reading led by Motti starting at 6:30pm, as well as various other Purimrelated activities leading up to Purim, including a baking night. Please contact Leoni and Motti for further details. Following these readings, we will be hosting our SACPS Purim event for the entire community with illusionist and mindreader Matt DanielBaker from Britain's Got Talent. This is due to start at 8:00pm (again on the Shul's Zoom channel as above). Please see the attached [poster] for full details. And on Friday morning, Rabbi Lew will be having a further Megillah reading for the community at 10:30am on the Synagogue's usual Zoom channel (of course). This coming weekend from Saturday evening on 27 February until Monday 01 March, CST is hosting a crowdfunding campaign called 'Together We Protect'. Jewish people across the UK will visit a campaign website and donate to CST. Each donation will be matched from a special fund which will encourage people to give, and see their donations doubled. The objective of the campaign is for everyone – young and old – to come together to support CST. We believe that it is our joint responsibility to ensure the security of our Jewish community. CST's work allows Jewish people in the UK to live vibrant, safe and secure Jewish lives with confidence. Securing shuls, schools and events – wherever Jews gather together – CST is there to provide reassurance and protection. Stanmore Synagogue has always worked in close partnership with CST to create a safe and secure environment for our community. CST provides funding for security enhancements, training to our security volunteers and keeps a watchful eye over us from its 24/7 National Security Control Centre. CST never charges for anything it does and depends on charitable donations to survive. CST is not 'just another charity', but is part of the very fabric of our community and so we are delighted to support this important campaign. So, from Saturday evening 27 February, please visit the [Together We Protect] website, browse to the Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagogue page
and if you are able, give generously. Let's join together to protect CST, just as they have protected us over many years. Thank you for your continued support. We wish you Purim Sameach and hope that you will be able to join us for some or all of our Purim offerings this year. In the meantime, be well and healthy and stay safe. Best wishes Jeremy Harris Chair
Samantha Jacobs ViceChair
David Rosen ViceChair