From the Chairman

day of Judgement occurs at the beginning of the year.

The verse is interpreted: ‘At the beginning of the year, man is judged as to his fate (from now) until the end of the year’.

The Torah connecting God bringing rain to Eretz Yisrael with the schedule when Judgement takes place, is to teach us that Hashem’s Judgement has a universal and collective element.

Just as Hashem does not send rain to each individual or private farm, but rather to an entire area, and the individual who is part of that area benefits, so Hashem judges us not only as individuals but also as a community, each connecting with the other.

Many commentators conclude from this that the way to receive and “ensure” a favorable verdict is to attach and contribute to the broader kehillah of the Jewish People.

May this year not be one of “stop-start, stop-start” regarding Covid, but one of complete recovery and may Hashem help us to achieve true unity, prosperity and peace. Ketivah v’chatimah tova. n

by Jeremy Rosenstein

As I write these words and watch the news, I am not sure whether we are “reconnecting” or “disconnecting” for the coming Chagim! But as our members know, we will find the best way to adapt to the situations as they change.

The last 18 months have been quite a challenge for the world, for our beautiful country, for Am Yisrael, for our families, for us individually and for us as a Kehillah.

We have met many challenges, from Corona, from not being able to travel, from a short war and much more.

As a Kehillah we have over the last few months slowly increased our numbers at Shabbat services, reinstated two daily Minyanim, continued the Rav’s Shiurim both live and by Zoom, and most importantly hosted “Kiddushim and Seuda Shlishit”! (until last week).

I have received many compliments (and a few complaints) on the way that the Kehillah has functioned over the last 18 months, but it has been great team effort from a number of individuals that have made it work and succeed.

The usual thanks go to Laura, Laurie and Moshe for keeping the office and facility running and to Bernie for his perfect Gabbaut, not even taking proper leave and rest when he was recently unwell. Thanks to Elizabeth, Ruth and David and Therese for their work on the Yizkor book; thanks to Edoardo for keeping the shul “digital”; to Jacques and Elizabeth for the website

updates; Therese and team for our magazine; Betty and ladies of the Irgun Nashim for reinstating the Kiddushim; thanks to the men (and couple of ladies) who attend the shul every morning and every evening keeping the Minyanim alive.

We have seen over the last year a number of new members joining our Kehillah. Unfortunately, we have also lost a few long-standing members who passed away or moved out of the Netanya area.

As we are entering a “Shemita Year” we owe really special thanks to Susan, Therese and Sharon for the magnificent work they have done in the garden and amphitheater to make the shul grounds so beautiful. There is a massive amount of work that our “garden angels” have done and it is a great way to start the day meeting them at 6:30 am when going to the first Minyan and seeing such smiles, enthusiasm and positive vibes beaming out from them.

As I have mentioned on a number of occasions the finances of the Kehillah are very challenging. There are a few individuals who have been extremely generous and have enabled the Kehillah to remain viable. We have finally finished the re-tiling of the hall, which is being used more for semachot; carried out some cosmetic work in the kitchen including the addition of a new industrial fridge; installed a new air conditioner in the shul and more, all financed by generous donations. These individuals have not been part of our Kehillah for many years, but since getting involved with the Kehillah have really shown such generosity which must not be taken for granted.

However much we have tried to keep in contact through these trying times with our members and friends, we have not always succeeded completely and mistakes have been made. I would like to apologize to any member or friend of the Kehillah who feels that we have not done enough to keep in contact.

I would finally like to thank our beloved Rav Katz and Rabbanit Ora, for all they continue to do to keep our Kehillah the special place that it is.

Let us pray that this coming year will bring us all good health, friendship, cooperation, Semachot, success, Parnasa and Nachat from our families.n הבוט המיתח – הבוט הנ