Twinning

Polotsk

During 2009 the Polotsk Jewish Community lost most of the support funding that it had been receiving from many Jewish charities and they have been struggling to maintain themselves. There are approximately 2,200 Jews in the Polotsk region; they do receive a small donation to pay the rent for the two rooms where they meet and to pay for a few programmes, but outside of this there is no Jewish activity. In Belarus, there are no kosher shops, and no access to any Judaica.

FRS started working with Polotsk in 2009 and became twinned with the community in January 2010.  Since then we have achieved an enormous amount, including buying a mini-van, delivering various items of Judaica (including a Torah scroll), a new laptop and two second-hand laptops. We’ve also started a five year Development Plan towards Polotsk’s self-sufficiency. Further resources are needed to manage the next stage in the Plan to pay for their self-sufficiency training. It is a unique and ambitious project, but we believe that it is well worth the investment, not only in terms of finances and time, but in the building of personal links between our two communities.

 Kol HaNeshema

Kol HaNeshama is an active and vibrant centre for Progressive Judaism in Jerusalem. The community is situated in Baka and serves the greater population of southern Jerusalem. Kol HaNeshama is a pluralistic, egalitarian and spiritually welcoming community. It believes that progressive Judaism inspires us to forge a modern Jewish identity rooted in tradition and committed to democracy and social justice.

FRS first became twinned with Kol HaNeshema in the late 80s when a strong relationship developed between Rabbi Jeffrey Newman at FRS and Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman at Kol HaNeshema.  FRS helped the community financially in the early years and many members called in to enjoy services in Jerusalem on their personal trips to Israel.  Rabbi Levi visited FRS on many an occasion, bringing with him new music and ideas for our services.