This year will be a very special new year for me:  My first Rosh Hashanah at BHPS; the first Rosh Hashanah I will celebrate with you and you will celebrate with me.  The word celebrate is very important.  Of course, the tenor of the Days of Awe, which begin on Rosh Hashanah and end, ten days later, on Yom Kippur, is quite solemn and serious:  Before we can begin start afresh and embark on the new year, we must first reflect on our deeds of the past year, and do what we can to repent.  But Judaism, is, above all, a hopeful religion:  While taking stock of our lives, we dip apple into honey in the hope that the new year will be sweet for us, our families, our friends and our congregation.  And perhaps, even more important, we acknowledge that the arrival of a new year is an opportunity, not only to assess our failures and our losses, but also to celebrate our achievements, and to thank God for 'keeping us alive and bringing us to this time.'

And we have good reason to celebrate as a congregation - seven good reasons to be precise: 

•     We have successfully managed the transition between a full-time rabbi and one working on a 60% basis with the help of a superb band of people making themselves available to lead services on alternate Shabbatot. 

•     We have started refurbishing our building with the skill and the help - both practical and financial - of a number of dedicated members. 

•     We have taken the opportunity of my appointment and the refurbishment, to deepen the connections between the Religion School and the life of the congregation as a whole . 

•     We have introduced new adult learning programmes which are making it possible for those involved to participate more fully in Jewish life, both at home and in the synagogue. 

•     We have taken steps towards putting our inclusive ethos into practice by clarifying the many ways in which non-Jews and non-Jewish partners may participate actively in the life of the congregation. 

•     We have acknowledged the need to look outwards as well as inwards, and will launch our outreach to unaffiliated Jews in the area with a special Open Morning on Sunday 8th. September (11am to 1pm).

•     We have drawn on the inspiration of the forthcoming Centenary of Liberal Judaism in 2002, to plan a calendar of activities celebrating the heritage of our congregation - which will be inaugurated with a special 1930s style Erev Shabbat service and Oneg on 16th. November.

We have much to celebrate - and there is much more for us to do.  All seven achievements concern on-going initiatives that we need to maintain.  And, of course, we haven't been successful on all fronts:  In particular, the Welfare Group is still crying out for volunteers; just three people have come forward so far - and with 58% of our membership in the 65+ age group, much more help is needed.  So, if the tone of the season is prodding you towards any new year resolutions, Angela Goldman, the Welfare Group Co-ordinator, will be delighted to hear from you...  In the mean time, Shanah Tovah!  May we all be blessed with a good and joyful year.