Sunday, December 07, 2008

'Project Ester': the dedication

Shabbat 20th December sees the fulfilment of a dream to honour the memory of Ester Gluck, who died in 2006.

The Minyan Hadash at New London Synagogue has commissioned a new bimah table cover, Torah mantle, Torah cloth and Ark curtain—and there will be a new bimah table, modelled on the one in the main synagogue. Rabbi Jeremy Gordon will lead the dedication at the end of the Shabbat morning service.

Textile artist Lana Young and carpenter Robert Mullen have generously donated their time, skill and creativity to fashion these very beautiful ritual objects. They will be used by the Minyan Hadash on Shabbat and festivals, and also by the congregation as a whole whenever services take place in the synagogue hall.

Along with other synagogues on that Shabbat—the day before Hanukah—New London Synagogue is focussing on human rights in the Jewish tradition. We are pleased and proud to welcome Eiri Ohtani, coordinator of ASAP (Asylum Support Appeals Project), who will give a short pre-lunch talk on the rights of people seeking asylum in Britain, a cause very dear to Ester’s heart.

Angela Gluck, Ester’s mother, says:
“This is a most fitting tribute to my dear daughter. New London Synagogue is the first and only synagogue that Ester joined in her own right, as a young woman, and the Minyan Hadash meant a lot to her. I am deeply moved that the synagogue is honouring her memory and I wish to respond to this honour: please join me—and those involved in the project—for lunch after the dedication and talk.”

If you would like to stay for lunch, it is necessary to book through the synagogue office on 020 7328 1026 or office@newlondon.org.uk. Please do so by Friday 12th December. There is no charge for lunch but you may wish to make a contribution to the charity that has been set up in Ester’s memory: The Separated Child Foundation www.separatedchild.org. You can donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/seperatedchildfoundation or send a cheque payable to ‘The Separated Child Foundation’ to the synagogue office.