Srebrenica Memorial Week Erev Shabbat Service

It was a privilege to mark Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Week at West London Synagogue by lighting a memorial candle at the beginning of their special Srebrenica Memorial Week Erev Shabbat Service. 'Srebrenica Mother' Fudila Effendic was guest of honour, sharing about the unspeakable loss of her husband and son and her resolve not to harbour hate or revenge.

West London Synagogue aims to keep awareness alive, despite the lessons of the Shoah, of the threat of race hate and genocide. Over the past few years, they have actively and proudly participated in Srebrenica Memorial Week, honouring the memory of the 8,372 mainly men and boys who were murdered in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995, purely because they were Muslims. Unbelievably, this horror took place on European soil just 50 years after the end of World War ll and the cry of 'Never Again!'

We also saw 'tito's picnic' - an exhibition by Lejla Kevric, reflecting hope for a shared society - “This is a vision of optimism. It is an invitation to an idea. Thinking about the future. Ordinary people talking together.” 

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Aida Čorbadžić and Elvir Solak.

Forgiveness in Text and Life

Forgiveness in Text and Life - St Martin-in-the-Fields, together with the Council of Christians and Jews - exploring the nature of forgiveness in Judaism and Christianity with Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE and Revd Dr Sam Wells.

Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE is Senior Rabbi at West London Synagogue. She was the second woman rabbi in the UK, the first to have a congregation of her own worldwide. She is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords. She is an author and broadcaster who is particularly interested in refugees and asylum seekers, mental health, housing and homelessness, and health inequalities.

Revd Dr Sam Wells is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and a widely-known writer, broadcaster and theologian. He is also Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King’s College London. He has served as a Church of England parish priest for 20 years and spent 7 years in North Carolina, where he was Dean of Duke University Chapel. He has published 30 books, including a study of reconciliation, Living Without Enemies.

Chaired by Rabbi Helen Freeman, Principal Rabbi, West London Synagogue.

Free and open to all.

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Sweetmouth - Forgiveness.