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Pesach in Cornwall

Spring is coming and, with it, one of the most wonderful festivals of the Jewish year: Pesach. It is fitting that, at the same time as the world around us begins again to burst into growth, we celebrate the throwing off of the bonds of slavery. We clean our houses, looking for chametz and in the process, sweep away the dust and crumbs at the back of drawers and cupboards, the grey cobwebs in the corners of our kitchens. Pesach is also a time to look inside our hearts and perhaps clear away a few dusty habits and modes of thought grown stiff with complacency. And it is a time to celebrate together the great gift of freedom and the coming together of the people of Israel in a shared covenant with God.

The first night of Pesach this year will be on Friday, 19 April and we will be celebrating it in grand style. There will be the traditional story, given new life by the ever fresh reading of our Honorary Life President Harvey Kurzfield and Deputy Chair Adam Feldman, the traditional seder plate, and a wonderful buffet lovingly cooked and prepared by some of the talented chefs of the community.

Our seder is a wonderful occasion for both children and adults. If you are visiting Cornwall during Pesach and wish to join us, please contact Anne Hearle for details.

One last thing. This year the seder begins on Erev Shabbat, so we will be lighting candles for both Shabbat and Yom Tov. Please bring with you your candlesticks, candles and kiddish cup. We will then have two mitzvot for the price of one, plus a beautiful seder table covered with joyous lights.

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Planting for the future

Envision Abraham sitting under the terebinth tree on the Plains of Mamre hosting the angels of God as they are about to reveal the future birth of Isaac. A seminal moment in Torah. In fact, Oak trees feature often in Torah which is why members of Kehillat Kernow planted an oak tree when they participated in a tree planting at the Dor Kemmyn site’s Field of Peace in Truro with other members of the Inter-Faith Forum on Sunday, the 24th of March.

The Buddist Community planted a lime tree nearby.Fifteen members of KK gathered around to watch David Hearle supervise and plant the oak tree with help for the digging process from KK members Adam Feldman and John Edelman.

At the ceremony, following a greeting from Rita Stephen of IFF, Chairman Jeremy Jacobson, noted how appropriate it was to plant symbols of life after previously just having delivered prayers and a speech of support for the Islamic Community at the ICC for those Muslims murdered recently while praying in their  mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Jewish blessings for life, and a poem about an oak tree were recited by Pat Lipert and exerpts from our sidurm for TuBishvat were delivered by Adam Feldman.

The trees planted at the Dor Kemmyn site symbolise hope for the future, a belief in peace and most importantly, life, for it is the emphasis on life which is so integral to our Jewish religion.

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Holocaust Memorial Day Events in Cornwall

Several events were held during the weekend of January 25-28th throughout Cornwall to remember and honour the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. 

Many members of Kehillat Kernow turned out to participate by visiting schools, giving commentaries, saying prayers and attending exhibitions.

At Truro Cathedral, candle lighting ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, along with an exhibition about the catastrophic effects of racial, ethnic and religious intolerance mounted by the Cornwall Police Diversity Team and the Inter-faith Forum, took place.

At the Peace Pole at the Dor Kemmyn Field at Penmount Crematorium in Truro, members of the Faith Forum conducted prayers for peace and remembrance of those innocent victims lost in the Holocaust. At the Redruth Baptist Church, spearheaded by Elder Andrew Chapple, the third year this church has conducted Holocaust Remembrance ceremonies, a special Anne Frank Exhibition was mounted along with candle lighting for the six million Jews annihilated by the Nazis and followed by prayers from the Baptist Community and the Jewish Community of Cornwall.

In Plymouth, a HMD luncheon was held along with the religious and memorial programme to highlight those lost in the Holocaust and in the Rwandan genocide.

View Photo Album taken at Truro Baptist Church

View Photo Album at the Truro Cathedral & Dor Kemyn

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Books… Books… Glorious Books!

The 1st of December got off to a rousing start with the sprit of Tzedekah in full swing. The annual Book Swap and Cake extravaganza at The Kurzfields took place.  This charity event which raises money for the Cornwall Hospices began many years ago to honour the memory of one of our dear members, Kate Fagin (z’l). Many people from our community and members of the greater Cornwall community were present to find many new good reads and to offer some of their own in exchange A raffle was also held. The splendid tea, coffee and myriad array of sweet goodies only added to the day and donations were generous and very gratefully received. Thank you Jacqueline and Harvey for all your hard work to make this yearly event so very special.

Jacqueline has asked me to let you know that they made £594 at the Book Swap. Jacqueline says, “Thank you to all who came and made the afternoon so enjoyable.”

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Film Food Night – Ushpizin

Happy Beginnings, Happy Endings!

Saturday November 3rd was our evening for food and film. Despite the rain outside,  the sun shone inside Malpas Village Hall.  We came, we ate, we watched and  we enjoyed. The Israeli food fest was only equalled by the charming Israeli film, Ushpizin.  Ushpizin means ‘visitors’ (hopefully Tsaddiks, but not in this case), who are welcomed, housed and fed inside your Succah during the 8-day festival of Sukkot.  Despite the poverty of the childless couple, their fervent  prayers are answered and in many ways, “nes gadol hayyat sham.”

We began in joy with an abundance of fine dishes prepared by our members, all with an Israeli theme. Each time we meet, we are all overwhelmed with the amazing array of culinary treats laid out before us. As Gloria Jacobson said, “When is there ever a Kehillat Kernow event that is ever under-catered!”

The film after added to our naches, filled with sadness, hope, joy and a very happy ending. The baddies turned good; the couple were blessed with a son, their lives, like ours, were filled gratitude and the knowledge that despite all, life is very good when you look towards the light.

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Jewish Community of Cornwall