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New Sefer Torah
 A new Sefer Torah was introduced to more than 100 celebrants at Ruislip Synagogue on a glorious 12th June Shabbat morning. The weather seemed to echo the wonderful occasion when the new Sefer Torah took its place with the other 3 Sefrie Torah in the Synagogue. Rabbi Stanley Coten praised the honorary officers, Martin Taffel, Chairman, Ivor Berke, Warden, Martin Feuer, Treasurer, for overseeing the project in raising the money and highlighted the generosity of the community in coming forward to sponsor individual Parshot. He mentioned that it had taken only one year and showed how much goodwill there was in what is after-all a small community. Additionally, a tribute was given to Rev. David Wolfson commemorating his long association with Ruislip Synagogue for over 30 years and a plaque was unveiled by his oldest son, Derek Wolfson who had come especially from Australia for this event. He spoke movingly of his father and mother to the assembled throng which included all the Wolfson family and friends. 
Ruislip Synagogue are proud that with the help of the members, funds were raised to enable Ruislip Synagogue Trust to purchase a second hand Sefer Torah to augment the 3 which are in the Ark. The FR states that he is very proud that the Ruislip members rose to the occasion and that this fund raising was done within 18 months. In conclusion Rabbi Coten acknowledged Rev. Wolfson’s dedicated contribution to the past and said we should take the introduction of this new Sefer Torah to signify that the future will be bright for Ruislip Synagogue, and we should look forward with optimism. Small is indeed beautiful! Angela Feuer 13.6.10 Purim Gossip – 2010 Fashion A band of merry men and women gathered together for a Sunday morning Purim breakfast on 28th February at Ruislip Synagogue. This was a culmination of a hectic weekend’s activities at the Shual beginning with a large crowd on Shabbat commemorating the second Barmitzvah of an 83 year old congregant. He was so spritely that one can visualise him celebrating yet a 3rd Barmitzvah in the future P.G. The evening had congregants, both young and old, following the traditional age old Purim custom of dressing up in fancy dress and having a fun party. On Sunday morning Ruislip was yet again busy providing a wonderful Purim breakfast for 20 congregants before which they all recited the Megillah with suitably raucous accompaniment when the name of Haman was mentioned. Judging by the enthusiastic reaction to this event it looks as though this third year’s Purim breakfast is on the agenda for many years to come. To paraphrase a well-known saying:- Those who eat together, pray and stay together! Do you all agree? Angela Feuer Murder Mystery Evening – Who Dun It? The answer could be literally THE LADIES GUILD! as they arranged for a scintillating evening of fun for Ruislip congregants and their friends on Sunday in February, but of course, the actual murderer was revealed at the conclusion of the evening by very clever deduction work on the part of the audience. It was certainly a departure from the usual round of Quizzes and Singing entertainment usually put on by the Synagogue, but judging from the enthusiastic response (full capacity house) this was a novel idea which had approbation from all. A professional group of 10 actors/entertainers set the scene by acting out the scenario of a judge being killed while a dinner party at a nearby residence was in situ. Naturally enough all the guests at the party had some axe to grind and the judge was NOT what you would consider a popular person. The audience – who were supposed to be the villagers – had to examine the evidence and also talk to the suspects in order to deduce who was the killer. We failed miserably at our table to find the person who was culpable, even though our table was named MISS MARPLE, but several other groups did manage to come up with the correct solution. However, it was not enough to say WHO DUN IT, we also had to justify our thoughts and give a measured report!! In the end the smallest table of 4 won the prizes! Shows you it is quality not quantity that counts. As per usual the refreshments provided by the Ladies Guild were excellent and the Raffle with over 20 gifts raised the magnificent sum of £120. Angela Feuer Chanukah Quiz Evening (Dec 09): A QUIZZICAL EVENING! The Chanukah Quiz at the Synagogue was, it seems, supported by all the congregants and friends as a record crowd of 90 odd piled into the Synagogue on Saturday 12 December. It was heartening too, to see Rev. David Wolfson who came in specially to light the Chanukah candles. Tables were groaning with goodies of viennas, ladkahs, salad with satsumas for dessert and donuts and the Ladies Guild were working their socks off in their usual good humoured fashion, and this was before the main aim of the evening even began! Quiz questions were amazingly clever, but not so much that the ordinary person could not cope. Thus everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly – and especially our table as we came very close to being the finalists. It must have been the name of FEUER AND BRIMSTONES that did the trick! Anyway, we were not alone in asking for a copy of some of the quiz questions in order to test other friends on a different occasion P.G. This is the second time that Hugh and Michelle and their children have hosted such a good evening and they will definitely have their names to the forefront for next year P.G. Well done to all those who participated in this event. Even though the Ladies Guild laboured under difficult conditions Ruislip has certainly retained its superb reputation. However, I can visualise even better things to come when the new kitchen is in situ next year – so remember the next date of 7th February 2010 for our Murder Mystery evening and start booking NOW!! Angela Feuer Interfaith At Ruislip Synagogue On Friday evening 20th. November Ruislip (affiliated) United Synagogue hosted an annotated Maariv Service which members of other faith communities in the area were invited to observe. This was its contribution to the Hillingdon Inter-Faith Network's Week of Faith. Rabbi Stanley Coten gave a warm welcome to a large group of visitors, which included the HIFN chairman, Duncan Struther and Hillingdon's Councillor Routledge. Rabbi Coten then conducted the service, explaining as he went along. He emphasised how important it is to promote good relationships between communities and how nothing but good can come from understanding one another. After an extended Kiddush synagogue members chatted with the visitors and showed them around the building explaining the significance of various artefacts. Childrens and Youth Shabbat Congregants at Ruislip United Synagogue enjoyed a treat on Shabbat Terumah when Aron Coton, who recently celebrated his Barmitzvah, and is the youngest son of Rabbi Stanley Coten, together with 2 friends from Hasmonean High School conducted the whole service, including reading from the Torah. It was inspiring to hear such young men davening and singing with such tuneful enthusiasm, and together with other participating youngsters made it a most memorable occasion. |