World Cup VS Bar MItzvah

The Fiction, Film, Food Event at Malpas Village Hall on the afternoon of 22nd September proved that both secular and religious rites of passage can somehow be managed with the showing of Sixty-Six for members of Kehillat Kernow and the greater community from the Cornwall Faith Forum. Add some popcorn, scones, brownies, and some Rosh HaShannah goodies, it was a fine combination of the best of British and the best of Jewish.

The funny and moving film told the story of a Jewish boy whose Bar Mitzvah was scheduled on the day of the famous 1966 World Cup at Wembley. Talk about a conflict of interests. A way around this tricky situation is happily resolved and offered much food for thoughtful and light-hearted  inter-faith conversation that belies the adage that sometimes, one can be all things to all people. Organised by Adam Feldman, this popular venue always promises to be of interest to a varied group of pictures. 

Photos can be seen by clicking here.

Ki-tetze

“Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondsman that is escaped from his master unto thee; he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it liketh him best; thou shalt not wrong him.” 

There is a tenderness about such a commandment, one of many aimed at protecting the poor and vulnerable. It fits with the command not to harvest all the corn, olives or grapes, but to leave some for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, and the law not to oppress a servant. Other laws appearing in Ki-Tetze seem to be designed to ensure the functioning of a well-ordered and considerate society, such as building a parapet around the roof of one’s house to prevent anyone from falling, or looking after the lost animals of a neighbour until they can be claimed. 

There are, on the other hand, some laws which, today at least, appear draconian. Stoning a rebellious child or the adulterous man or woman, or banning the mamzer (often translated as ‘bastard’ but, more likely, the offspring of an incestuous or forbidden union) from marrying a son or daughter of Israel are examples of such laws. Indeed, throughout the Torah, there are laws which are troubling, to say the least. Perhaps we should make a list of them and seek to explain or confront them. 

Do not miss this week’s service on Saturday starting at 10:30, for it will be your last chance to hear Sharim Atilano for some time, since she will soon be giving birth to a son or daughter of Israel.

high holy days

Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur will be celebrated in Cornwall this year as follows.

Erev Rosh Hashanah (Sunday, 29 September), 29 Elul 6:30 p.m.

Service will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a catered evening meal provided  by Kehillat Kernow to bring in the New Year.

Rosh Hashanah (Monday, 30 September, 1st day), 1 Tishri, 5780 at 10:30 a.m.

Service will be followed by a catered luncheon sponsored by Jo Richler and Paul Kleiman.

Kol Nidre, Erev Yom Kippur (Tuesday, 8 October), 9 Tishri 7:00 p.m.

Yom Kippur (Wednesday, 19 September), 10 Tishri 10:30 am

Yischor Service is scheduled for about 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.. A catered dinner to  break the fast will follow the last service which should end about 6:30 p.m.

Visitors who will be here during this period are welcome to attend our celebrations and services. Donations to help cover costs will be appreciated.  At the same time, we participate in the MRJ High Holy Days Ticket Scheme for anyone aged between 18 and 27, but without the tickets!  In other words, if you are Jewish and aged between 18 and 27 just come along without worrying about making a donation.

A highlight for this year is that we will again be blessed with the services of Student Rabbi, this time, Eleanor Davis, who is escaping from London to conduct Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur, so another reason to add to those you already have to come along and join in our most sacred days. Eleanor began as a peripatetic music teacher in Gloucestershire before moving to work in arts administration, spending many years in London’s West End. She has been especially involved in adult education at Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue and for Reform Judaism. “Why should children have all the fun studying Torah?” asks Eleanor. Covering maternity absence led her to four years of creating a weekly e-newsletter (Eits Chinuch) for Jewish educators, which wove Torah together with many and varied topics. That in turn led her to Leo Baeck College to further her search for ways both to bring our whole selves into the synagogue and inspire us to take our Jewishness with us as we go back out into the world.