I wish you a joyful, an easy and a sweet New Year. I hope you manage to taste new fruits and food.
Managing new moments is the spirit of Rosh Hashanah; new experiences are such a key part of our New Year rituals. In that spirit we'd like to give FPSniks a chance to visit the sanctuary, have a 15-minute moment in front of the ark and essentially re-connect ahead of Kol Nidrei between 10.30 and 12.30 on Sunday 27th. We hope to have some of our new Council here to welcome and wave at you and give you prayers and siddurim. Do book in for your slot by emailing pauline@fps.org
What a year for us to negotiate our way into a New Year with no more clarity or certainty than the one we are leaving. I pray that we can be of use to each other, that our congregation continues to provide solace and even joy and we can together add to the urgent tikun our community and world needs.
Yesterday I was taught a phrase by the Reverend Dr Rosemarie Mallet, Archdeacon of Croydon, who referred to religion's "inward reach and outward stretch". May this New Year of 5781 be that for us; an inward reach to the profound parts of our Jewish practice and learning and an outward stretch to be felt in the world. Good goals to have.
Shanah Tovah to you all, thank you for all you bring to FPS.
Rabbi Rebecca and all working here in your synagogue
Zoe, Dean, Franklyn, Pauline, Gracielle and Hilary