Listening in our Community

One of the key values in our Jewish tradition is listening. We articulate this every day with the Sh’ma. Rather than just articulating the oneness of God - we begin with “listen” reminding ourselves of the importance of listening to each other and to ourselves.  

If you were at our AGM on 4th June, you might be aware that we’ve started a project that’s all about listening that will take place over the next several months, and culminate on Erev Sukkot, Wednesday 16th October, with a service and sharing.  

When Rabbi Benji first started at WS, we ran a series of Meaningful Conversations to get to know each other and hear from each other what we find meaningful at WS.  

These moments of listening in our community are a chance to really get to know each other and what we care about, as we work towards building the community we want to continue to be a part of, together.  

In this round of listening, we are asking: What keeps you or would keep you coming back through our synagogue doors? Why does this matter to you? How can we make this a reality together? 

It’s important now more than ever that we listen to each other, that we get to know each other, that we stay strong as a community.  

We started sharing at the AGM, and there are several opportunities to join us to listen, learn and get to know each other. Since then we have held:

• 7th June: Rabbi Kamila hosted as part of our teens Friday night dinner. 

• 8th June: Robert hosted a dinner at home.

• 3rd July: Sebastian hosted as part of the Or Chadash end of year dinner.

• 5th July: Rabbi Kamila and Sandra hosted as part of the Friday evening service and kiddush.

• Members of the community have held 1:1s with other people in the community.

Over the summer, Karen, Roger, Amelia, Jessie, Theresa, Dudi and others will be holding meals, as well as more 1:1s and other opportunities.   

Would you like to have a 1:1 conversation with one of our leadership as part of this project? Or maybe you'd like to get together with up to 10 members and host at someone’s home or in Kent House? If so, complete the form below and we'll ensure you're part of this exciting project.

We hope to see you on Erev Sukkot on Wednesday 16th October, when we will share the fruits of what we heard and where we go next.  

The Listening Team 
Sandra, Dudi, Sebastian, Debra, Jessie, Rabbi Kamila, Yael, Gary, Robert, Rabbi Benji, Louise and Jon