Dear Friends
Over the last week the synagogue has buzzed and been busy with cooking and preparation for two amazing simchas. The Nick Simons Hall has been well used and each celebration catered to capacity with approximately 65 individuals, seated, for dinner!
On 14th August 2025 we celebrated the 90th birthday of our wonderful Barry Leveton, as well as Maureen and Barry’s 65th wedding anniversary and over 60 years of dedication to the Synagogue. We had a truly memorable evening, and Maureen has written a note below to thank everybody. I personally would like to thank everybody who contributed in any way, we had a truly great team who put this evening together for us.
Just a day or two later the community came together to wish Alan and Annie mazel tov on the occasion of their wedding during a special Shabbat kiddish which they hosted and which Poppy, together with others, catered. Poppy was again in charge of catering the wedding ceremony on Sunday 17th August, together with Pam, Isaac and Daniel Grey. Alan and Annie’s friends and family from all over the world came together to celebrate the wedding in a truly beautiful event, and Rabbi Daniel conducted the event with real panache! Thank you to everybody who enabled Annie and Alan to realise their vision of a wedding in Norwich Synagogue.
The synagogue scrubs up beautifully for a wedding, so this is a heartfelt plea! Let’s have a few more weddings and simchas!
Preparing for Yom Tov
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I want to take a moment to reflect and to share some updates from our community.
Your synagogue committee has been busy preparing for the High Holy Days. I’m pleased to share a few practical updates:
Bike racks have now been installed at the far end of the car park. A big thank you to Isaac Grey, who raised the funds for this as part of his bar mitzvah project, and to John Cadywould for organising the installation.
Parking arrangements are being reviewed to better support our growing community—more information will be shared after Yom Tov. Thank you to Debbie Joseph for leading this work.
A new religion subcommittee has met to discuss key dates for the year ahead. A full list of festive dates has been sent out and you will also find them on our website.
Polishing, clearing and repair of silver have been undertaken and thanks to all who have helped!
UK Jewish Film Festival
This summer, a filmmaker is creating a piece for the UK Jewish Film Festival, and I had the opportunity to spend a day showing him around Jewish Norwich. It was a powerful reminder of our history and presence here.
At the same time, we are in ongoing conversation with Norwich Cathedral regarding the renaming of one of their chapels to the Chapel of the Holy Innocents in 1997—a name that has raised concerns within our community. We are exploring the formation of a joint synagogue-cathedral working group to begin thinking about this.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
I want to extend my sincere thanks to our Rabbinic team, the committee, and to everyone who continues to give their time, ideas, and energy to support the life of this community. Whether through leadership, volunteering, or simply showing up—you help keep our community strong, inclusive, and welcoming.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we pray for peace, for justice, and for the safety and dignity of all people. As we enter 5786, may it be a year of healing, understanding, and renewed commitment to each other. And above all, may peace come speedily to all who are suffering.
Together with Peter and all the Prinsley Family may I wish you a Shana Tova and well over the fast.
Marian Prinsley
President 2025/5786