Graham Nussbaum: Chatan Torah

It is a great privilege for me to pen this tribute to my dear friend Sharon on her being chosen as Eishet Chayil 2022 by the YINN board, together with Sandra Rabinowitz.

Sharon was most surprised, in fact speechless, to have been given the honour this year and would like to thank all those involved. Also sharing the honour with Sandra was an added pleasure. Actually, Sharon is indeed a most deserving recipient, having worked quietly and tirelessly for the community for many years and being a most able Editor of our YINN Magazine.

Sharon was born in Manchester, where she attended the Prestwich Jewish Day School, where amongst other things, she learned to read and write Hebrew; unlike when her son Richard went to the Sinai School in Kenton. There he was immersed in Ivrit b’Ivrit and he also learned to actually speak Hebrew. From primary school Sharon progressed to the local state Grammar school and after A Levels went to Bradford University to embark on a four year Pharmacy course.

Sharon Carr Eishet Chayil 2022

by Marlene Knepler

Sharon was very privileged as a child to have known all four of her Grandparents who were all born in the UK.

After qualification she moved to London with three friends and lived in a house in Hendon for a year, paying 10 GBP per month each before splitting up. Sometime later Sharon saw an advert in the Jewish Chronicle for a room in a flat in Wembley, which she went to view. She did not take up this rental and instead bought a little place in Kingsbury. However, the young man advertising the room in Wembley was in fact Ivor, who called Sharon and asked to see her again; Ivor eventually popped the question and the rest is history! Sharon and Ivor were married in 1977 in South Manchester Shul by Rabbi Felix Carlebach.

Sharon and Ivor returned to London and joined the growing young community in Kenton. Living in England among a Jewish minority, Sharon realised how important community was to leading a full Jewish life. She and Ivor therefore became very involved with Kenton Shul. Sharon served on the Kenton Board, and she helped Alan Gold with the Kenton Shul Magazine. Surprise surprise, Sharon has now become editor of the Young Israel Shul Magazine!! Sharon and Ivor’s son Richard made Aliyah first and a few years later they followed him, arriving in 2014. Richard lives in Jerusalem with his lovely Australian wife Toby, and their four beautiful young daughters. Ivor wanted to live by the sea and Netanya was a wellestablished area and very English. In addition Ivor’s brother Martin, was already living here.

Sharon is a very humble and modest person and a most loyal friend. She works very quietly in the background for the Community, jointly leading a team on the Kiddush rota, as well as editing the Magazine, and has also been on the Shul Board. She is thoroughly deserving of this honour and we wish her a hearty Mazel tov. A