A note from the Chair
How can I sum up my feelings about 2021? It was a real roller-coaster of emotions: as with all of us, it is difficult to separate the stress of living through Covid, from the other challenges of life – they all seem to be mingled together in my memory.
However, in compressing the year through the lens of time, I am left with a deep sense of gratitude. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our clergy team, under Rabbi Miriam’s leadership, who have created innumerable touch-points for and among us, to give us the safety valve which we needed, so that we could share our frustrations and sadness, and also our joy, and to break down the inevitable sense of isolation.
I’m grateful for the amazing creativity which our clergy, supported by our professional team, under Sam Clifford’s leadership, brought to the more formal events of the year – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the stands at the StoneX Stadium….in particular the evening sunlight beaming in, warming our hearts and souls, as the sound of the shofar confirmed the passing of another year.
I continue to be amazed by, and grateful for, the huge efforts made by a great number of volunteers and lay leaders, who are an integral part of what it means to be a community; whether as part of our Chesed group, our mental health support group, the people who make sure our technology is there to support our virtual services and events, those who bring people together as part of the Connectors team, or in a hundred other ways.
I am immensely grateful for the support of all our membership – the smiling faces on the zoom screens, the wonderful encouraging messages in the “chat” box, and, increasingly, those who feel able to begin the gradual return to in-person services. I know that not everyone is confident enough, or able to, take on that challenge at present, but I’m hopeful that, as Covid numbers begin to fall, and the vaccination brings its full benefits, we will see more and more old and new friends arriving in person.
Finally, I am grateful for the comparatively smooth progress of our building project. A year ago, to be frank, it wasn’t clear when and how the construction would commence – we were stuck in a loop, waiting for permission to begin demolition – we had also not, at that stage, signed either the construction contract or the loan agreement.
As we know, site activity did begin at the end of March, and here we are, only a few short weeks away from completion. Thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way to the success of this once-in-a-generation project – from raising funds, to monitoring the finances; from supervising the design and construction, to planting trees; and I am incredibly excited at the thought of seeing so many friends coming together in our new spiritual and community home, and of the opportunities which that will give us.
Thank you.
Bob Humphreys
