| Steve Pruner writes: It
was such a glorious moment. So much so that we spontaneously recited the the Shehecheyanu
blessing. Glorious, long-awaited spring sunshine
with real warmth in the air inspired us breath deep and sung our lungs out. And sing out
we did, all twenty-four of us.
Rachel faced the sun: our rabbi basking in the rays. I
asked her if it was too hot or bright and she remarked she loved it as it reminded her of
her years in Los Angeles.
Singing practice took place in the courtyard in front of
the Peill Room. We were so numerous, the largest singing practice turnout ever, we feared
disturbing the neighbours. Our fears were unfounded: when a neighbour left her house she
kindly informed us she thoroughly enjoyed the music.
The children nervously and excitedly, performed a song for
us; they even led us in the song AlephBet. I could see the joy in our future
generation. It is moments like this that last a lifetime.
John Donne said, “No man is an island, sufficient
unto himself.” As I looked around at us singing and enjoying ourselves in a most
joyous singing practice, I realised the strength of community: of joining together with
others in a shared purpose.
Some may not know there is more to Donne’s
meditation: "All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies,
one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every
chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not
upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but
how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness...No man is an island,
entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and
therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
Despite the seriousness of the quote, and I do apologise
for including it here, I do so in the spirit of our need to live life and connect
with others. We can only live in the moment. And we cannot truly live “alone”,
isolated from each other.
The singing practice reminded me of the strength of need
of a Liberal Jewish community in East Anglia. Many of us want a place to meet and connect
with other Jews. All right, it may have been the first PJC community weekend following
Pesach; it may have been the first glorious sunny day in spring; and it may have been pure
coincidence. Whatever it was, twenty-four members of our community gathering together, it
was pure joy.
The contact group exists to help our members feel
connected, to be connected to the PJC. I hope that everyone who wished to attend the
lovely singing practice session was able to do so. If transport was a barrier to being
with us, please let a member of the Contact Group know because we will try our best to
link you to someone who can offer transport. This is why the PJC Contact Group exists: we
want to keep the members of our Jewish community connected.
Sarah is the Chair of the group and she may be contacted
on ed_sarah@lycos.co.uk.
Feel free to approach her or other members of the Contact Group at any of our PJC
activities. Also, I extend a warm welcome to Adrian Ing who has recently joined the
Contact Group.
We are here to ensure that all members of our Jewish
community in East Anglia feel and remain a part of our Liberal Jewish community. On behalf
of the Contact Group, I extend my best wishes to everyone, and hope to see you at our next
PJC weekend.
Steven Pruner
On behalf of the Contact Group
The Contact Group exists to help members of our community
feel a part of our community. We will do this by contacting members of the PJC who, you
feel, may benefit from a card, phone call, or perhaps a visit. Let us know if someone is
unwell, isolated, or facing difficult times. We may also be able to arrange a lift for
someone who would like attend services and other communal activities. Our aim is to
support members and keep them connected to the PJC. |
