www.reformjudaism.org.uk

Big Birthday for a Small Congregation

Friday, 05 March 2010

Sheffield and District Reform Jewish Congregation (S&DRJC), a small congregation with less than 100 members and no building of its own, was delighted to welcome a number of distinguished guests to join many of its own members for a special Shabbat service in January to celebrate the congregation’s formation 21 years ago.

Joining the congregation for its celebrations were Head of the Movement, Rabbi Dr. Tony Bayfield, Councillor Graham and Mrs Irene Oxley, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Sheffield; James Newman, Sheffield’s Master Cutler and a member of Sheffield’s Orthodox Jewish community; representatives of Reform Jewish communities in Leeds, Manchester, Milton Keynes and Maidenhead; members of Sheffield’s Orthodox Jewish community; and representatives of other faith communities. Rabbi Bayfield, delivering the sermon, praised the energy, warmth and commitment of this small but vibrant community.

As part of its 21st birthday celebrations the congregation was proud to inaugurate new silverware commissioned from award-winning local silversmith Katey Felton. The breastplate and rimmonim, designed and made for the congregation’s second and most recently purchased Torah scroll, are fluid, elegant and beautifully executed, unique and modern pieces in this traditional setting.

As the 21st birthday also coincided with Tu B’Shvat, the celebrations closed with the planting of a tree at Whirlow Grange Conference Centre, a place of Christian spirituality which often hosts the congregation’s larger functions. The tree will serve as a lasting reminder of Sheffield’s tiny Jewish Reform Congregation, maintaining a vibrant Jewish life while working with the wider community.