One of community member’s thoughts on this year’s Purim Party This year’s Purim party was a memorable celebration, filled with joy, laughter and an overwhelmingsense of community. From the moment I arrived, I could feel the festive energy in the air, with most members dressed in their creative costumes and ready to celebrate. The vibrant …
On Sunday 9th February several dozen members of 3CLJC gathered in Gloucester for a wonderful Tu B’Shvat Seder in celebration of Tu Bishvat, the New Year for Trees. Rabbi Anna had done sterling and inspirational work in putting together a specially created Seder order of service, with background history, readings, blessings and symbolic foods. A …
Mitzvah day this year was focused on serving the local community and in particular, the homeless and the vulnerable. In conjunction with Cheltenham Open Door, five members of the 3 Counties Liberal Jewish Community (3LJC) prepared and cooked an extensive full English breakfast: hash browns, fried bread, bacon, vegan and pork sausages, eggs, baked beans, …
A heartfelt thankyou to the 3CLJC and Rabbi Anna for welcoming me into their community to celebrate Simchat Torah. I am a visitor from a wild surf beach community just out of Auckland in New Zealand, visiting my friend Cherry whom I met in Israel many years ago, and this was my first experience of …
Erev Rosh Hashanah was brilliant! I played with my friends and did some colouring with Isaac whowas on the same table as me. I ate lots of special foods. My favourite was the apple and honeybecause it means we want a sweet new year. I also had dates because they mean we hope all thebad …
Our annual Anne Frank service was held at College Hall in Hereford Cathedral this year. Joining 3CLJC were Chancellor of the Cathedral, James Pacey, Lama Tenzin Choesang, representing the Buddhist community. In addition, Revd. David Wiseman and his wife Mary, representing the Church of England and Midge & Geoff Ault on behalf of the BaHa’I …
Upon arrival at this new venue there was meet & greet by Rabbi Anna & Josh who was looking smart in a two-piece blue suit, crisp white shirt, blue tie and wearing a blue kippah embroidered with ‘Josh’. His proud grandmother was also showing guests to their seats. There must have been at least eighty …
On Saturday 16th March, 3CLJC held a Shabbat service at the GDA centre in Gloucester, which was a welcoming to Rabbi Anna Gerrard on formally taking up her Rabbinic role with 3CLC once again. This was also an opportunity to invite civic leaders and leaders of other faiths to join in a Shabbat service, which …
In January I attended my first community AGM since returning as Rabbi of 3CLJC. It was an opportunity to notice how much the community has developed since my first ever visit in June 2009. A small group of individuals with a vision has become a thriving Jewish community, filling the sizable gap between established Synagogues …
Though somewhat reluctant to be press-ganged into joining the 3CLJC eco-committee, Isaac was happy to embrace his eco-mission when it came to the Tikkun Olam project for his upcoming bar mitzvah. To illustrate how anyone can undertake actions to live more sustainably and improve their environment, Isaac set himself the challenge of performing ten eco-friendly …
