EDITORIAL

A TIME FOR CHANGE

I come from a long line of shul goers and community servers. My beloved late grandparents were stalwarts of their kehilla in Northeast Philadelphia. My mother ran the Sisterhood in my hometown shul in Reading, Pennsylvania; and my father, although having studied for, but never completing, his ordination as a Rabbi, led the congregation when we moved to Barbados. I’ve attended countless synagogue services from as far back as I can remember, even before I was as observant as I am today. I’m a strong believer in shul attendance and community service, having had a wonderful example by my elders. And I thank Hashem that my own children are following in the footsteps of their forebearers.

The message of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is simple, direct and applicable to all. It presents a challenge to change; so at the start of a New Jewish year we are meant to face the realities of our spiritual life, to examine ourselves frankly, and to make an effort to improve. No one escapes this challenge, although many ignore it.

It is not out of place for some fair emphasis to be placed on aspects of the community during the Yomim Noraim, if for no other reason that the fact that it is one of the few occasions that we assemble in such large numbers. On no other day does the Rabbi see his congregation in such large numbers, and therefore the opportunity should be taken not only of underlining the primary message of the High Holidays, but also those features of congregational life which are in need of change and repair.

If one were to ask an objective observer what features of the New West End Congregation (not Synagogue, but Congregation) stand in most need of change, the likelihood is that one prominent feature would stand out for fair comment - the lack of children’s attendance. There are many children in our congregation but few attend Shabbat morning services on a regular basis. The services, thanks to Rabbi Shisler, Chazan Lawson and the choir are satisfying and impressive, but the synagogue feels empty without the sound of children. The monthly children’s service is a good start but needs more imput from parents, their children and experienced leaders. Children should be allowed to participate in the weekly service. If they are encouraged to participate they will they will be encouraged to attend.

The problem is a big one and will not be solved by articles like this. The Yomim Noraim are a time of change and reflection and as I’ve noted before – OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE. We have to nurture this future as well as live on the tradition of the past. Please bring your children to shul. We want them here and we need them here. They belong here on Shabbat morning soaking up the traditions, which are rightly theirs to pass on to their own children.

So this year make a commitment to yourselves and your children for a change. If you have any suggestions about what we could do for your children on Shabbat mornings, please let us know.

Wishing Rabbi & Mrs Shisler, Chazan Lawson, the Honorary Officers and Board of Management and the entire congregation a L’shana Tova Tikatevu.

Samantha Fogelman

Editor

(as always, grateful thanks to Henry Magrill and Susan Hayman)