Dear Readers,

Exactly one year ago in my article I spoke about the importance of studying Torah, and followed this with a letter to the leaders of the community, asking them to open their meetings with few minutes of Torah.  I am pleased to inform you that most of the committees adopted my suggestion, and during last year they opened their meetings with readings and learning. I hope that they will continue with this custom through the coming year.

In order to stay with the spirit of the High Holydays I have a new idea:

For 5770 I am approaching you with another initiative.  I am calling upon every member of the community to “adopt” someone that you did not have a real connection with before and who may be sick or lonely and in need of social contact.

If everyone made it his/her practice to telephone, once a week or even every second week, a person who is less fortunate than themselves or visit him/her to see what they need and talk to them, it would enrich both their lives. Never forget that visiting a sick person is an important mitzvah and there are many in our community who would welcome this.

I think the Social Workers and Care of the Aged are doing a very good job during the year but we would add to our own lives by taking an interest in someone who would appreciate support and help from another member of our community

We have just finished the very busy season of the High Holydays, and Tova and I want to thank every member of the Community who sent us letters of thanks, cards and telephone greetings both before Rosh Hashanah till after Yom Kippur.  We really feel that we are part of a big family in Wellington.  We are now on our way to visit our own family in Israel and we will miss you all.

As Gary Stone has retired from his position of President of the Shul, I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation on your behalf for the wonderful job that he has performed for more than a decade. I am sure that he and Jacki will continue to support and assist whatever we need in the Community.

All the best
Rabbi Chaim Dovrat