Civic Service
At the behest of the Lord Mayor of Exeter, on 11th April, we held a Civic Service of rededication of our Shul. His request was that we should arrange a service, followed by a reception that he would host at the beautiful, historic Guildhall close by in the city centre. The service was some months in planning, but the first 10 days of April were filled with many phone calls, e-mails and meetings, to ensure that everything went smoothly. In the aftermath of the attack on the Synagogue last July, so many people and organisations, both secular and religious, in Exeter offered help, support, and showed solidarity with us. In my welcome address at the service on 11th April, I commented that it showed what a truly great city Exeter is.
Official guests invited by the Lord Mayor included the Lord Lieutenant of Devon and other local dignitaries, including representatives from the police and fire services. The shul Committee invited those who had, in some way, helped us, including the very brave young lady, without whose presence of mind, (not to say bravery), we may not have had a shul at all.
Among others we invited were representatives from the Cathedral, who helped with a service venue, and even more importantly took our Torah Scrolls into safe keeping until we were able to place them once more in the Ark. We are lucky to have items of George III silver, made and assayed in Exeter, by local silver smiths. This went into the strong room of a local Fine Art Auctioneers, with an attached notice “NOT FOR SALE”. Their representative was also on our guest list. I was especially pleased that the Imam of Exeter mosque was able to join us, both for the service and the subsequent reception.
The caterers provided a superb vegetarian buffet at the Guildhall, which I believe everyone present enjoyed. I subsequently received considerable feedback both from members and guests, one of which I would like to quote, “ A pitch perfect day, emotional and affirming, service spot on and invited guests agreed”.
Thanks must also be given to Tony Reese for planning and leading the service, to Elkan Levy for his address, and to Rabbi Amanda for giving the final blessing.
Subsequently I was invited to lead prayers before the next full City Council meeting, once more at Exeter Guildhall. I was asked to say a little about Judaism and about EHC before saying a prayer for the meeting and for those involved. It came as quite a surprise, when the Lord Mayor presented me with a plaque, which has the Coat of Arms of the City of Exeter on it, to be placed in our Synagogue.
