#refugeeswelcome

Synagogues all over the country this Shabbat resounded with the message that we welcome refugees. Rabbi's sermon reminded us of our own history, and the empathy we feel with today's asylum seekers. I was glad that at yesterday's Rep Council meeting there was a strong statement on similar lines:

So ... what can we do to help?  If you want to donate money, World Jewish Relief has a fund set up all ready for you - here's a link
https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/ways-to-give/appeals/refugee-crisis/donate-step-1/ 

All around Manchester - including our own synagogue - there are drop-off points for goods and donations. Make sure donations are appropriate - eg Calais asylum seekers are mainly male so women's clothing is not required!

You can also donate time - once our asylum seekers arrive, we can join organisations which help them to settle and navigate their way around life in this country. I'll let you know when I find out more.

...

Did you know that the MRJ runs online learning sessions? Last night I logged on for an hour of Talmud with Rabbi Laura and an assortment of fellow Jews from locations including New York, Madrid and Glasgow! We studied a passage about all the different New Years there are, leading us to consider why Rosh Hashanah is so special.

If this appeals to you, watch out for details of the online lectures by Leo Baeck teachers in the autumn term. An unmissable opportunity - and all free! The technology is unbelievably simple and the whole experience is inspirational.

But that's not all. Jackson's Row is about to launch a campaign to re-energise our wonderful synagogue community - details from the bimah on Rosh Hashanah ...

Shanah Tovah to everyone!