Chesed
Chesed (kindness) is the group that arranges member-to-member help, advice, and support in partnership with the rabbis and cantor. Members of FRS carry out this mitzvah as part of their commitment to the community.
2021 was another year dominated by keeping us all safe from Covid-19 and we used all sorts of technology to support each other: Zoom, WhatsApp, texts, and the trusty telephone.
Wonderful FRS members came forward to help - whether it was one-off or ongoing, driving, cooking, visiting, wishing happy birthday, informing people not on email about a Yahrzeit, shaking the lulav, zooming into or attending a shiva or anything else that was helpful.
We have continued to knock on people’s doors when required, to drop off shopping, stop for a chat or sing happy birthday to those who live alone – all while following Government Guidelines and keeping everyone safe from Covid as well as observing Safeguarding issues.
Chesed also oversees groups such as Singing for Memory; Autism Support; Wellbeing 1:1 support and advice; Wellbeing Events (several through the year on Zoom); Bridge and Social & Cultural. All requests for help are dealt with in a confidential manner.
A big thank you to all our volunteers who have stepped forward this year and to organisations such as the Movement for Reform Judaism, Jewish Care and JAMI who have been so helpful.
Hannah Jacobs
