From our chairman
A message of support during a crisis is never easy to write. It is more difficult now that we are facing the menacing threat of the unknown. Each of us has a part to play; to do everything we can to keep ourselves and our families from harm and to protect the wellbeing of our communities and fellow South Africans.
It is our hope that Bet David will be able to play an important role managing and alleviating your stress, by assisting you in your worship, prayer and meditation and enabling you always to feel part of our congregation, even during times of isolation. Please join our streamed Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services each week, as well as the other planned streamed activities.
The next two weeks would, under ‘normal’ circumstances, have been a busy time of preparation for Pesach, with eager anticipation of very special times spent with close family and friends. This year, for many, the answer to the question, “Why is this night different to all other nights?”, will be filled with sadness and trepidation. We, at Bet David, hope that your Pesach will be a meaningful one. Services will be streamed so that we can worship in our own homes and feel connected to Jews all over the world who are experiencing a most unusual Pesach.
Thank you to Rabbi Schell and Brett Steingo and members of our congregation for ensuring that these services take place and to our very special lay readers who are leading services. Thank you to Ian Mann, Janis Jordan, Doron and the Choir for the first Erev Shabbat service streamed from the sanctuary last week.
Rabbi Schell, the ManCom, Ashley and I, wish you well and hope that you and your families will be safe. In these dark times, we hope to provide some light, in the spirit of the old Jewish Proverb, “A little light pushes away a lot of darkness”. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance to you in any way.
Desmond Sweke, Bet David: Chairman