Does it take a generation to change a society? In the scientific world, it seems that it takes a generation to accept a paradigm shift. As we celebrate Pesach this month and our liberation from Egyptian slavery, we also remember that it took a new generation before our ancestors had the confidence to fight for its place in the family of tribes surrounding them.

Change is both exciting and frightening. We are used to our old, tried and trusted habits. To adapt to change takes thought and effort. It is uncomfortable. However, the tide of life is ever changing and, even if one is not wedded to a progressive ideology, one must adapt simply to remain where one is and not be left behind as a relic of former times.

We, progressive Jews, are wedded to a progressive ideology. It is in the very name of our community, the Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia. The question for us is never ‘how can we preserve and maintain who we are?’ but always ‘how can we progress, and adapt to the ever new situation in which we find ourselves?’

The exodus from Egypt was a great upheaval for those who experienced it, and also a great opportunity. However, that generation was unable to rise to the challenge. When confronted by an absent leader and an invisible God, they found comfort in the idolatry of a Golden Calf. When confronted by the possibility of confrontation, they did not have the courage to face their own fears. Instead, they endured forty years in the wilderness. It was their children who entered the Promised Land.

Pesach confronts us with our own liberating, frightening freedom. Will we fail the challenge, and find solace in old habits that ultimately condemn us to irrelevance, or will we rise to it courageously, dare to think and do more than we really feel we can, attempt more than we ever have before, rise towards our truest, freest vision of how we could be as progressive Jews?

At Pesach, we celebrate liberation, the freeing of our potential. How far is each of us willing to work towards our own vision of who we can best be?

Chag Pesach Same’ach, a very happy Pesach festival,

Rabbi Stephen Howard

 Dear Members and Friends,

We had a good, relaxed Communal Pesach Seder this year, with folks contributing as well as reading during the service. Lotsa folks helped out.  The setting-up crew arrived early, and set up by 7.00.  But with everyone schmoozing we didn’t begin until 7.20!!  Philip in his Russian hat led us gallantly and didn’t get a sore throat, like last year. Our food monitor, the dessert crew, the cleaner uppers all did splendid. We again self-catered and were back at Jessopp Road URC.  Over the past few years we’ve tried to improve on our Seders and venues and it has not been outstandingly successful. 

Why was this night different (better) from all other (recent Pesach) nights?  We decided it’s because of doing things together, self-catering, family-style and in a suitable hall.

As always, 2 charities were chosen, local and Israeli.  They are: East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and ALEH (Caring for Israel’s Children together). These two charities provide much-needed medical help, re-enablement, support for children with long-term conditions and their families, residential care, amongst other things.  Please see www.each.org.uk and www.aleh.org.   One thing Passover’s about is human rights - freedom from slavery.  Children with long-term & life-threatening conditions and their families have little freedom.  Support from EACH and ALEH helps to ameliorate this. We ask that all in our Community donate generously.  As Martha led regarding Pesach, please send your donation to her or me.

Our service on 14 April led by Rabbi Stephen is on the 8^th day of Passover.  The Omer is counted since the 2^nd day of Passover linking Passover and Shavuot when we will have a Community Service and Chavurah meal.  We’d be pleased for members, friends and guests to participate respectively in the Service, catering and anything else to make it fully Communal.  Please contact Emily or me know if you are able to contribute in any way. Please also note it has been necessary to change the Service day for May. 

May service weekend is now Friday 4^th May and Saturday 5^th May.

We're looking for a new coordinator for singing practice, as sadly, Byron’s no longer in a position to do so.  I'd like to thank him for all of his efforts in starting it again.  We’d like to see lots of members and friends even if you don’t think you can sing or know the songs, so we can decide on future songs  to learn, as well as who can coordinate and lead. You won’t be on your own!!  I’ve hoarded all of the past years’ music and songs.  We look forward to seeing confident and incipient singers at 10:15 in the Peill Room on Saturday, 14 April.

Cheder with Rabbi Stephen at present is Kabbalat Torah and other young people than are doing this already are welcome to drop in.  The group is owned by our young people.  It is possible for some adults to drop in also, but you do have to ask to join!

Our new Council’s first meeting is on Thursday 26 April.  We will be organising for the new Council year and the rest of the Jewish Year.

I hope to see you all on 8^th day of Pesach.

Sarah Boosey, Chairperson

Here is a summary of forthcoming Service Weekends with Rabbi Howard (unless otherwise noted):

2012
•  12-14 April
•  4-5 May
•  22-23 June (led by Philip Lawrence)
•  13-14 July
•  7-8 September (community-led)
•  12-13 October
•  16-17 November
•  14-15 December (community-led)

Other planned events in 2012:

For further details of services and events, please click on the headings in each section on the right-hand side of this page. You may need to check again if information is not available at the time you are looking at the event.

Members are periodically emailed with information about community events and services.

The Old Meeting House is accessible to those with special access needs, although there is no Disabled Access lavatory facilities.  Events held at other venues, particularly members' homes, may not be accessible to those with special access needs, so those with special accessibility needs should check before attending those events.