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Jami discusses mental health with interfaith delegation Mental health service Jami was invited to join Abrahamic faith leaders from England, Australia and Indonesia as part of an independent and grassroots international interfaith peace effort called 1000 Abrahamic Circles. The 1000 Abrahamic Circles project aims to bring together a Jewish, a Muslim and a Christian faith leader from a wide range of differing worldviews to spend a week in each of their communities, directly observing each other’s way of life and ultimately building an understanding and mutual respect between faiths across the globe. On Thursday 1 September, Jami’s Head of Services, Louise Kermode, met Rabbi Jeffrey Steven Berger from Wembley Synagogue, Minister Dwi Argo Mursito from the Javanese Christian Church of Pekalongan in Indonesia, and Imam Alaa Elzokm from the Elsedeaq Islamic Society Melbourne, Australia, at Jami’s Head Room Café in Golders Green. “Faith leaders have an important role in supporting people’s mental health, education and awareness raising, reducing stigma and making sure people can access the right support,” said Kermode. “We learnt from each other about how our different communities are tackling the
Rabbi Elchonon Errera was at the Machzikei Hadass Podium for the Start Your Day The Torah Way. The Shiur was on “Is this Shofar Kosher to use on Rosh Hashanah?’’
PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL
Nussi Burns holding a model baby during one of two First Aid courses on Paediatric Emergency First Aid. Mr Burns is one of Hatzolah North West’s most experienced First Aiders.
(l-r) Louise Kermode, Rabbi Berger, Imam Elzokm, Minister Mursito
rise in mental health problems and creating opportunities to build connections. Faith leaders have a vital role in creating accessible and inclusive communities and we know that belonging to a supportive community protects our mental health and supports mental health recovery. I believe we can do so much more by working together across different communities and learning from each other to tackle the rising
mental health needs.” The 100 Abrahamic Circles project is headquartered in Indonesia, one of the world’s most ethnoreligiously diverse but conflict-prone countries. Its ultimate objective is to measurably increase religious literacy, empathy, and a sense of mutual respect among the Circle members, their followers and the wider global general public.
Paediatric Emergency First Aid course given by Nussi Burns PHOTO: LAWRENCE PURCELL
Launch of The LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship
Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum and Joanne Greenaway with the LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellows who attended in person
Rabbi Elchonon Errera with an array of Shofars
8 SEPTEMBER 2022
The LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship launched with a special event on Monday 5th September which saw the group of 20 young professionals gather for the first time. The cohort consists of a mix of students from across the UK as well as the US and South Africa, with classes taking place both online and in-person.
LSJS Rabbi Sacks Fellow Suzy Railly-Chomer, from Sheffield, said “it was a wonderful first session and got me really enthused and fired up for the year ahead”. In 1978, Rabbi Sacks devised a course for students, which aimed to introduce the main themes and challenges of Jewish faith, practice, theology and philosophy.
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Using this as a springboard, LSJS has updated and re-imagined this course for 2022 designing a programme that will navigate contemporary modern living through an honest engagement with Jewish thought, teachings and wisdom. Throughout the year long course the fellows will benefit from expert educators from the UK and abroad, including Rabbi Sacks’ closest students, such as Dr Erica Brown, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Rabbi Johnny Solomon, Dr Tanya White and many more. Michael Rainsbury, LSJS Head of Adult Education said, “I am excited to be working with such an amazing group of fellows and to be delving into some key ideas through the prism of Rabbi Sacks’ teaching”. Joanne Greenaway, LSJS Chief Executive, said “LSJS has been training and inspiring educational leaders for over 160 years and it is wonderful to be able to launch a new course specifically designed for young professionals who want to further their Jewish learning and thinking and engage in their communities in the UK and abroad”. To find out more about the LSJS Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship, or how you can join next year, please contact Michael.rainsbury@lsjs.ac.uk