Letters to the editor: Our shuls are our lifeline
Send us your comments : PO Box 815, Edgware, HA8 4SX | letters@thejngroup.com
Our shuls are our lifeline
The news synagogues will be shutting or have already shut to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus is totally understandable, but also very distressing.
As we all know, a synagogue is not just somewhere to pray. It is a place of community, where people come to be with others to chat, to commiserate, to provide advice and to find a place of solace among others.
They are community centres, offering talks and groups for those of all ages, and provide a lifeline for those who are sick, elderly and alone.
I understand synagogues are following government advice, but perhaps they could seek to reassure the more vulnerable members of our community.
Shutting ourselves off to stem the spread will inevitably increase the sense of isolation of some members, with the knock-on effect of mental health issues.
Some synagogues call members ahead of Pesach to ask if there’s anything they need or if they have
a seder to attend, so this would be a good thing for all synagogues to do now and check people have enough food and essential supplies.
Let’s extend the hand of friendship and help those around us.
Alice Marshall, By email
For some, shuls closing is going to be a truly hellish experience
There are people for whom social isolation presents a big psychological risk. It’s very alarming.
For God’s sake. Shab- bat has been cancelled. Has this ever, ever hap- pened before? Let’s be generous and exclude times where a genocidal maniac has made attend- ing synagogue a bit tricky.
This is the death of religion and the death of community.
For some of us, it’s going to be a truly hellish experience. I just hope it’s worth it.
Name supplied, By email
Politicising virus is wrong
Your regular columnist, Jenni Frazer, seems to have politicised the virus by choosing to attack Trump. Johnson, Netanyahu and, most disgracefully, Priti Patel (Jewish News, 12 March 2020).
Martin Greenberg Redbridge
Leaders must step up
What are our community leaders doing to guide us on the current situation? There seems to be very little happening.
Religious buildings are being forced to close. What is the community doing to create an infra- structure using technolo- gy and tools? For exam- ple, the Jewish Learning Exchange has closed its building, but is setting up virtual activities.
Above all, people need reassurance… Chabad in Finchley sent a simple but wonderful email just to say we are here for you spiritually and physically.
What about seders and Pesach? Right now there should not be any groups getting together let alone for several hours over two nights.
The community leaders need to get this message out now.
Adam Bezeli, By email
Vatican archive opening
I was extremely interested to read your story about the Vatican opening its archives early (Jewish News, 5 March 2020).
Many people have long accused the wartime pope, Pius XII, of turning a blind eye in the face of the hor- rors of the Second World War and subsequent attempted genocide of the Jewish people.
Others believe he will be largely exonerated, having worked behind the scenes to help in the moral fight.
We will soon be able to find out the truth from the contemporaneous records.
Paul Jacobs, By email
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
