Building Bridges at Alyth
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Many people in the Jewish community have mental health issues. These people are often on the margins of society. The Shalom Chavura Suppers were set up in order to help them feel more included in synagogue life, as well as in the wider community.
On Friday evening, the 19th December 2008, Alyth Synagogue hosted the sixth of our Shalom Chavura Suppers at the synagogue. The evening coincided with the Chanukkah celebrations and the dinner was very well attended by over 50 guests. The supper was a great success which all the participants appeared to enjoy.
It takes some effort to arrange these evenings which can only be accomplished by relying on the support of the synagogue and all who help voluntarily to purchase the food, lay the tables, prepare the meal and organise decorations.
There has been a great response from the Alyth community, as well as friends and guests from the Shalom, Jami and Jack Gardner Centres. Contributions from our guests at these suppers have included poetry reading by a published author, singing, and violin and piano playing. Brendan Beder and his two talented sons, Michael and Justin, have entertained guests with their own piano compositions and many of those attending enjoyed dancing to the accompaniment of Brendan’s playing.
The evenings are of great significance to those attending. Guests commented that ‘I haven’t been out to any functions for as long as I can remember’ and ‘I never go out in the evenings. This is the first time in 15 years that I have got up the courage and accepted the invitation and now I can’t wait for the next one’. Another said ‘The generosity of the synagogue knows no bounds. Transport was arranged and delicious food prepared. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball.’
Alyth aims to host more of these evenings and it is hoped that as many people in the community will interact and join in with these Shabbat suppers as often as possible.
Since the Synagogue initiated contact and opened its doors to Shalom, Jamie, and Jack Gardner centres, all organisations which do sterling work in caring for people with mental health issues, a suggestion was made by a member of Jewish Care to expand and promote this type of activity in other synagogues. If you would like advice on running similar events in your community or want to get involved please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or alternatively call Lynette at the synagogue on 020 8457 8793.
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