FROM THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE

Susan Hayman

The office is still busy. The famous computer is working well most of the time, we’ve been upgraded by Head Office and more things have been put on the system. It seems that every few months new things are coming on line and everything is so much quicker. There are regular computer teach-ins and it is good to get feedback from my colleagues and to know that I am not the only one with an occasional problem.

My eight and six year old grandsons send emails and ‘scanned’ copies of their drawings and homework to my machine at home and get annoyed when I phone to reply. "Can’t you and Grandpa send an email like all our friends, Nana?" Little do they know that I can just about cope with an order to Tesco!

Our new Beadle, Eli Ballon, is gradually putting member’s Yarzheits on the computer and if you have any queries, don’t hesitate to give him a ring.

We are still kept very busy with weddings – thirty-seven last year. Eli conducts school parties around the shul and we have lots of visitors from abroad who have heard how beautiful the Synagogue is and want to have a look. They find us from our website which is updated every week and photos of our recent Olde Tyme Music Hall and Purim Party are currently shown. They were lovely evenings, enjoyed by participants and audience and showed some of the talent we have in our midst.

The idea of sponsoring a kiddush in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, etc. has been extremely successful. It couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is let me know the date you would like, the reason for the kiddush, put the cheque in the post and the day is yours!

Do you read the "Personal Announcements" page in the London Jewish News? You will find that the New West End Synagogue is mentioned nearly every week announcing weddings which have taken place in our shul, special birthdays, birth announcements, engagements, etc. It keeps our name to the fore and shows that we are a busy community with vibrant Ministers and Honorary Officers.

We are outside the congestion charge zone so a visit to our Social Club on the first Wednesday of every month shouldn’t be a problem. Again, you will find details on the website or phone the office and ask to be put on the Club’s mailing list.

We want to know if you unfortunately are not well so that Rabbi Shisler can either arrange a visit, or at least phone you, but if you are in hospital, please remember that every hospital has an official Jewish visitor. All you have to do is to ask the staff to let him/her know that you are there and they will pass the message on.

I hope you enjoy reading this Newsletter. It takes a lot of hard work and time to produce it and we would like to know it’s worthwhile. Why not submit an article for publication? What about a "Letters" page? Recipes?