On Shabbat the air was filled with anticipated excitement to welcome Kenton members together with their children and grandchildren. This has become a welcome annual event in the community calendar.
There were approximately twenty grandchildren and it was inspiring to see that some of them took a prominent role in the Service. Rafael Shelley led Peuskei D’Zimra and his brother Jacob Shelley leined and davened Musaf. They are the grandchildren of Roy and Maris Block. Jacob Scott, grandson of Michael and Shirley Scott read Haftarah. During the main Service, the children had the opportunity to have their learning session led by Chairman Ruth Topper and her daughter Lauren Bowles.
Following the Service there was a delicious Kiddush which had been prepared by the Ladies Guild with Lisa Simmons who had done the preparatory work.
On Sunday evening the guest speaker for Sunday Night at Kenton (SNAK) was Lee Zucker, the Assistant Director of Organisation Development at Kisharon Langdon. Lee is well known to Kenton members as she grew up there attending childrens’ and youth service as well as the Bnei Akiva where she was in charge. Her parents Barry and Jean Zackon, who did an enormous amount for the community attended the talk.
Lee spoke about the history of Kisharon, how it was formed and leading to the amalgamation with Langdon. She gave us a framework of what the organisation does and how it develops the children and adults associated with it who have disabilities and special needs to have confidence and ability to live a more enhanced life. There are many opportunities for them to work, live independently and the chance to meet other people in a social environment.
Lee’s talk was most inspiring demonstrating her passion and commitment for her work.
By Rachelle Goldberg