Some of Mosaic’s many volunteers at a recent event
Mosaic Jewish Community’s three congregations came together to celebrate the volunteers who help sustain community life across the site on Stanmore Hill.
Special services were held by Mosaic Reform Synagogue and Mosaic Liberal Synagogue – as well as Mosaic Masorti Synagogue – each recognising the many people who give their time and energy to support their communities.
At Mosaic Reform, Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton led the service alongside an enlarged choir of 13 voices. Following the Torah reading and Haftarah, she delivered a sermon reflecting on the vital contribution volunteers make to every aspect of community life.
Rabbi Kathleen said: “Our volunteers are people who, as a rule, do not really think of themselves as giving, because most of those ‘givers’ usually believe they are the ones receiving; a sense of fulfilment, friendship, companionship, and the warmth, love and support of the community. That interchange of giving and receiving is the strength of community.”
At Mosaic Liberal, Rabbi Rachel Benjamin invited four congregants to speak about their volunteering roles and what they meant to them. The service also marked the 25th wedding anniversary of Rabbi Rachel and husband Harry Davies.
At Mosaic Masorti, Rabby Anthony Lazarus-Magrill arranged for volunteers to lead the entire service before offering his own words of thanks.
The celebrations highlighted how each of Mosaic’s three congregations maintains their distinct traditions while working together as one wider community.