Virtually the same as the yomtov we love
EVERY ROSH Hashanah, we eat apple and honey and ask for a year full of sweetness, goodness and kindness. Traditionally, it is also a time of reflection on the past year and sadly, the coronavirus pandemic is what many of us will remember most. This year, we have learnt to celebrate festivals differently, while observing as many traditions as possible. JewishCarehasbeensupportingcarehome residents, independent living tenants and community centre members to prepare and look forward to celebrating the High Holy Days, enabling them to connect with their Judaism and the wider community, physically, spiritually and digitally.
Jewish Care’s spiritual and pastoral lead, Rabbi Menachem Junik, says, “Rosh Hashanah is a new beginning for us and also gives us a chance to reflect. For many, it’s a time to spend in prayer, as we ask for health and that this should be a sweeter, better year for us.
“While we can’t blow the shofar in the homes this year, there will be a film available for all to see on the Jewish Care website, to prepare for the new year. There will also be shofar blowing in care home gardens before Rosh Hashanah, so residents can hear the sound through the windows. For many people living in our care homes, especially those living with dementia, hearing the sound of the shofar blast is the most significant sign that Rosh Hashanah is here. We know that the sounds and tastes of the festivals are sensory reminders that help connect people with their Jewish life. Tasting apple and honey and honey cake again also helps us to observe our traditions and triggers happy memories of Rosh Hashanahs gone by with our families.”
Jewish Care’s meals on wheels service, which has provided more than 21,000 meals to the community since lockdown, will include all the traditional treats of Rosh Hashanah, such as apples and honey, and honey cakes.
The lead-up to Rosh Hashanah is also a time when one visits deceased relatives’ burial stones or matzeivah, to honour of them. Jewish Care staff are now able to take a photo of relatives’ stone (online) and share it with residents and members of community centres who would usually go to the burial grounds but are now unable to do so.
JewishCare’sAvivaTrup,whooversees Jewish culture and faith in the organisation, adds, “We are arranging for a rabbi to call the person to talk or to pray with them if requested and staff will support the residents and clients, as this can be a very emotional experience.”
Jacklin Stephenson, activity coordinator at Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House in Redbridge, says, “We are trying to make life as normal as possible and being creative so our residents can actively continue to celebrate all the festivals and Shabbat throughout the year. The volunteers who support us are so dedicated to ensuring that the residents are involved in preparing for festivals, even though they cannot physically come into the home this year.
“Our volunteers will also make kiddush together with us online and have run many discussion groups and online activities in the lead-up to Rosh Hashanah.”
Rachelle Lazarus, manager of Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, adds, “We asked our members what they needed from us so we can do our best to support them during the festivals this year. Our goal is to ensure that our members have as many opportunities as possible to feel connected to the community over the chagim.”
The Jewish Care website will have resources for the whole community to use, including the recorded shofar blowing, messages from community members and pre-recorded Ashkenazi and Sephardi Orthodox synagogue services and Reform, Liberal and independent services, which can also be livestreamed to a care home resident’s bedroom. You can find these resources at jewishcare. org/festivals
Our goal is to connect our members to the community’
If you or a loved one would benefit from Jewish Care’s services, contact 020 8922 2222 or helpline@jcare.org. Jewish Care says: “We hope this Rosh Hashanah brings only a happy and healthy new year for us all”