My name is Sam Jacobs, one of the Vice-Chairs of the community. I have been given the honour to write to you this week. As I write this message, over four million people in the UK have so far been given the vaccine for Covid, with more and more people planned to be vaccinated every week. After so many months of gloom and uncertainty, we can hopefully see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel. On another amazing note, it makes a pleasant change that there are positives, and not the usual negative reports, about Israel in the media. Israel is being praised and hailed as world leaders in distributing the vaccine at such a fast pace. We should all be very proud that our home nation, being such a small country, is leading the way. A true beacon of light. This coming Shabbat has been designated as Mental Health Shabbat, which arguably could not be more poignant, apt or needed. The last 10 months have not only affected the nation physically, but it has highlighted mental health issues like never before. If you are in need of a lift, or if there is some anxiety, please keep in mind that there are many organisations that can help. It really is good to talk. You should. Talking helps tremendously. Please let us know, via Stanmore Care, how we can facilitate this. Turning to our youth, they are very fortunate to have Leoni and Motti as the community's youth directors. They are always on hand for a friendly chat or to help in these difficult times. Whether struggling with lockdown or exam worries, they are here to support our youth. The late Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l quoted "There is very little doubt that something has gone wrong among the many things that have gone right in today's world". Never a truer word was said. Even though the Shul doors are currently closed, we are still reaching out to the community through our various Zoom and YouTube events, from a Taste of Shabbat, daily classes, and other programs. One of these is the Darkness to Light series. It is a series of short interviews showcasing people who have faced challenges and seeing how they have coped. It is a series very much with mental health in mind. I would encourage everyone to participate in these events and get involved, as there is a huge sense of togetherness and fulfilment by doing so. Tomorrow night, Maya, the daughter of a Hamas Sheikh will be telling her story via Zoom at 8:00pm and this can be viewed at [Maya's Story] Finally, one of the lesser known of our communal services is the [Gemilut Chesed Fund] or the GH Fund for short. It is a fund to help members and their families during difficult times. Many people will be surprised to learn that we have members living in affordable housing or are dependent on benefits. Others are in a position where, through illness or the need to care for close relatives, they struggle to make ends meet. Particularly at this time, they may be having financial difficulties or issues. The GH fund is here to try and make a difference.
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