President’s Message 2024
On reading back last year’s report I am struck at how different this year has been to 2023. I can hardly believe the difference.. Last year's report was full of small events with covid interferences.
This year, comparatively, we seem to have bounced back with some big changes. We still do have a lot of young families and continue to be outnumbered at events by children, hence I saw additional 'Adult' events which adds to a new vibrancy as well. Our community was rocked by the events of October 7th, which still continue today as we grapple with the war, its impact on family and friends, the hostages, and our island. We held events to honor, remember, and come together to support each other. We received approval to purchase the community centre building from St John’s Church, and launched a campaign fundraiser to garner support and financing. We also welcomed Rabbi David Meyer and Marla to the island to run our High Holydays program this past year. We appreciate the warm welcome from the community and thank both of them for their service. We look forward to having them lead High Holidays this October.
Board Thank-You
Firstly, I would like to thank the board for a lot of work in the background this year. They step up unselfishly year after year doing what is needed to keep our community going. We have been resilient.
Some of us do more than others which is ok but some go over and above like Cort and Felicia and Tori. This year we have a new large contributor in Heather Blaser/Oliver who was a major part with Felicia and Tori of the hugely successful JCB Gala event in February, which brings us closer to purchasing our very own community centre.
Cortney our ‘assistant’ treasurer still does a lot of the grunt work for the community. Cort has been keeping all of our accounts in check, with some assistance now by a legal/accounts team at Conyers. It’s a thankless job, one which requires almost daily attention, this gets largely unnoticed and unrecognized but she works away behind the scenes with no accolades. I would like the membership to take a moment and consider that and next time you see her thank her and her family who probably miss out on endless hours of her attention. Cort also runs the Hebrew School, the planning the purchasing of materials, she opens up the doors every week, and keeps it running smoothly. Many mistakenly think that I do it all, but I want you to know that I pretty much just show up on the day, and have done for years. Thanks cort, I
appreciate you and all that you do for this community.
Felicia organizes the communication, surveys and computer systems, she keeps everyone informed and in touch. She has also been doing the newsletter, emails, announcements and event reminders, Not to mention filling in when anything is needed... kids in tow. This is the central spine of the community. Without Felicia none of you would know who, what, when, where and how. Please acknowledge Felicia
if you get a private moment with her, thank her AND her family for sacrificing hours of family time for us.
Tori, Torah Tots arranger and challah baker extraordinaire! She bakes challah for Torah tots weekly, even taking additional flavour requests! Although I have noticed that she is replacing her homemade challahs with more and more ordered brands….no judgement :)
With Heather onboarded fully, how they managed to pull together a huge gala event in no time at all I'll never know. But it was a huge success and has allowed us to go ahead with the purchase of the JCC, The first building for the jewish community EVER! Many of you have contributed to us achieving this and this is much appreciated indeed. Amazing that a small group of people like us can be so mighty when united together!!!!!
These ladies have their hearts in the Community.
Everyone in the board does something and I would like to thank them all personally. Francine who does our annual holocaust events and our annual mitzvah day event,
Jodi who is our food co-ordinator for most events!!! Alberto, Nir and Adam, the guys on the team, thank you from all of us. You care, you step up. You each represent different Jewish Perspectives- all important. And I appreciate all of them even when I may have a different personal perspective- that’s ok. We are all in it together and all differences, small that they may be, need to be voiced and accommodated as best we can. A special shout out to Warren Bank who contributes by singing for us and also not to forget Andrew Markus who fixes things and makes things for us.... Thanks so much from all of us.
Year overview
This year we have had 45 community events! And thats not counting weekly Hebrewschool and torah tots!!! I think that is a tremendous achievement for a 100 percent volunteer community!!! Kol Hakavod to us all! (List above)
Thanks to Sammi Freidman for helping us to compile the summary of all our events from the past year Good to get young folk involved. They have amazing skills we can use!
Cemetery
No changes
Hebrew school
Weekly
Torah tots
Weekly
B'nai Mitzvot
Ellis Champion was a Bat mitzvah this past year, Mazel Tov!
The JCC… Building
News from this year is that we are buying the JCC. This is in progress, takes time waiting for government approvals and permissions but it’s likely to get finalized, dare I say, sometime in the summer. Thanks to St Johns Church who have been great landlords and have been very dedicated to helping us achieve this historic achievement!!!
We made enough to purchase the building but more importantly we will be able to considerable renovations to it too so that's an exciting thing that is likely to disrupt our use of the building this coming year... but all for a good reason!!!!! We are looking to expand our donor base so we can manage our increasing operational costs as we move toward building ownership. Each of you are integral to these efforts.
New babies
Two Bossin/Weinman grandchildren this year!!!! Billie to rebecca and Derk and Pearce to Roanne and Nick. Mazal tov!!
Greg and Esther welcomed Maya to the family (and our community!) in October and she attended her first events, including our beach bonfire.
Weddings
James Mushin and Julia Raff were married in South Africa. Mazel Tov and a beautiful addition to our community as James moved to the island last year.
Freddie Knight was married this year. Mazal tov to Liz, Fred, Freddie and Claudia Knight.
Gemma Shane got married to Stephen Wallace. Mazal tov to the Shane family.
Rabbi David & Marla Meyer celebrated the wedding of their son, Cory, to Alexandra Tureau. Mazel Tov.
Membership Changes
Sending lots of love to the Shaw family! We will miss you all. Brenda, Phil, Ian, thank you for being a part of our community and we hope to see you back soon.
I with you all a nice summer break and see you when the High Holydays kick in.