PM honours founders of respite initiative
REPRESENTATIVES OF Reform Judaism’s 41 communities made significant commitments on financial sustainability, well-being and the environment at its biennial weekend, Chagigah.
More than 200 people attended the gathering at Eastwood Hall near Nottingham.
They discussed initiatives including a new approach to synagogue finances. Taking the view that the model of funding communities is outmoded, the movement is looking for ways to engage people more so they are minded to make donations or leave legacies to communities.
Rabbi Mark Goldsmith of Alyth in Golders Green said it was about “fostering relationships with members that help them feel their membership commitments are appreciated — and encouraging them to support their synagogues to be ambitious for Jewish life. Much of this feels obvious but it’s way too common for synagogues to become transactional.”
Progressing the Communities that Care plan launched at Chagigah 2016, the movement committed to adopting the NHS’s five steps to mental well-being.
Rabbi Miriam Berger of Finchley Reform Synagogue explained: “The scale of issues among our teenagers, adults and the elderly is no different to the national statistics. So we have to rally our communities to act now.”
There was also agreement on an environmental campaign with a target of cutting single-use plastic in communities by 50 per cent by Rosh Hashanah — and by 90 per cent by Rosh Hashanah 2019.
Addressing the closing session, movement chair Geoffrey Marx noted that “Reform Judaism is making an enormous difference, delivering invaluable partnerships and laying the foundations for a bright future”.
Other sessions covered Jewish learning, music, theatre and arts and crafts.
A NORTH London couple who established an overnight respite project for parents of children with serious illness have been honoured by the Prime Minister.
Camp Simcha supporters Sam and Lee Bladon are the latest recipients of the Points of Light award, recognising those making a change in their communities and inspiring others.
Their daughter Evie was born with severe brain damage and lived with multiple health issues requiring constant care.
The Bladons were supported by Camp Simcha throughout Evie’s short life and after her death in November 2015 began fundraising to set up Evie’s Night Owls in her memory.
It offers support in the family home, allowing parents to enjoy an evening out and an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
In a letter to the couple, Theresa May wrote that their work “is a truly remarkable way of honouring Evie’s memory. You should be very proud of what you have achieved as a family.”
Neville Goldschneider, Camp Simcha’s chief executive, paid tribute to the couple’s
Sam and Lee Bladon Evie Bladon, who inspired the scheme
“relentless dedication” to the project. “All of us at Camp Simcha are grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know their beautiful little Evie. And we are humbled by the way Sam and Lee have taken such heartbreak and created something that will help so many others.”
The Bladons said they were “humbled to receive this recognition. After we lost our beautiful daughter, we wanted to find a way to help others who are facing similar daily battles to the ones we experienced.”
It’s about fostering relations with members’