In a packed programme, beginning with a Leil Limmud and delicious communal meal attended by over 70 people, four members of Pinner Synagogue gave talks on subjects ranging from how Ruth and her story of courage and resiliencehave been portrayed in art over the centuries, the morality of ‘mistaken identity’ in the story of Jacob and Esau, the usage of ‘direction’ in the Torah, both physically and metaphorically, and finally, in a shiur by Pinner Synagogue Rabbi Jason Kleiman, the implications of mankind’s innate sense of morality, which lies behind our merit of deserving the Torah as a teaching template for good.
Pinner Shul has for many years chosen to honour its Neshei Chayil on Shavuot, and this year, the two honourees, Rebbetzen Elise Kleiman and Anne Erdunast, gave a joint speech and were then presented with certificates by Rabbi Kleiman, who thanked them for all they had done and continued to do in the community.
In his sermon, the Rabbi emphasised that Shavuot had no prescribed laws, such as eating matzah at Pesach,(cheesecake notwithstanding) but instead allowed a wider approach to “celebrating the relationship between humanity and Hashem” throughout the generations. To this end, on the first day Yomtov there were well-attended children’s services, a teenage discussion group, and on the second, a Barmitzvah and a Baby Blessing, during which four babies were presented with a special Pinner Synagogue Teddy Bear and a certificate.
A strawberries and ice cream kiddush on both days was followed on Shabbat later in the evening with a ‘Ne’ilat Chag’ seudah for the community. Synagogue Chair Mervyn Beth, thanking those who had masterminded the whole weekend, particularly mentioned the “incredible community spirit” which had made the events such a success.
Synagogue F.R. Dee Beth agreed that the Shavuot programme had been “truly inspiring”.
Rabbi Kleiman said he was “delighted to see so many people of all ages attending the programme of events, and of course all the youngsters and babies in Shul over the chag. This Shavuot, Pinner has really showcased the entire gamut of generations.”