Several years ago, Baroness Julia Neuberger, challenged WLS members to find a new directions to become a more caring community. One positive by-product of this challenge was that questions were raised as to how well we, as a congregation, meet the needs of our members.

Among our members are individuals who have concerns about separation and divorce, aging, stress, blended families, outreach, interfaith marriages, loneliness, caregiver's support, widows and widowers, singleness, infertility, parenting, and other issues.

It is our belief that to be a part of a spiritual or religious community requires each of us to take care of each other. Kesher-Link aims at providing a support group for our members, whatever their needs.

“It is only a true and close community that develops associations, traditions and memories that go to make up its soul. To mingle one’s personality with that soul becomes a natural longing. In such a community one experiences that mystic divine grace which illumines our lives when joyous and heals them when wounded or stricken. Then all questions about saying this or that become trivial, for the real purpose is attained in having each one feel with the Psalmist: ‘One thing I ask of God that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of God all the days of my life, to behold the graciousness of God.’”

The Hebrew word kesher translates to mean link in English and we have chosen this name as the umbrella term for our community outreach events.  Previous topics have ranged from child immunisations to dealing with Alzheimer's and are presented by inspirational and educated speakers.

COMMUNITY NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP

In addition to activities in the Synagogue we co-ordinate Community Neighbourhood groups based on geographical areas. These groups help members establish links with other people living close to them, and neighbourhood groups often get together for Shabbat or festivals. For more information, contact Jo Michaels.

Bereavement Group

This is a group of counsellors and volunteers who undertake regular training and supervision in order to support and comfort bereved members through the initial year of mourning.  For more information, contact Jo Michaels.

Healing Services

Be comfortable in a small intimate group singing, listening, meditating and praying together, asking God for healing for each other and our loved ones, to the accompaniment soothing music.

We are looking forward to conducting our Healing Services throughout the year. They are led by Rabbi Helen Freeman together with our member, Ursula James who through healing meditations gives an added dimension and quality to the oasis of time provided by these very special services.