Wall of wishes
'It’s a simple and modest way of helping people connect to their community during these distressing times'.
WITH Caulfield Shule closed for these High Holy Days due to COVID-19 restrictions, the synagogue has come up with an innovative way for the community to remain together.
Launched on Tuesday, Caulfield Hebrew Congregation’s Wall of Wishes soon began attracting a colourful array of goodwill messages and greetings from across the Jewish community in the lead-up to these uniquely challenging High Holy Days.
People are invited to create yom tov greetings and express hope and solidarity in the form of a message, a picture, children’s drawings, family photos, or other forms of expression, then snap a picture of it on their phone and email it to the synagogue.
Caulfield Shule will laminate the artwork and mount it on the front fence of the Inkerman Road building for all to see as they walk by.
Rabbi Ralph Genende, the synagogue’s senior rabbi, reflected, “Since we can’t go into our shule this Rosh Hashanah, we are inviting people to put their messages and wishes for the new year on the fence outside. It’s a way of saying the building may be closed but we are still close to one another. It reminds us of that wall in Jerusalem where all our longing and prayers are focused, regardless of where they come from. From the hearts of our congregation to the heart of our people.”
The project was the brainchild of Caulfield Shule member Lisa Farber, while Lauren Norich and Tammy Lincoln helped coordinate, laminate and hang up the cards.
“It’s a simple and modest way of helping people connect to their community during these distressing times. Don’t underestimate the impact of these small messages of kindness and thoughtfulness, the small acts of love and connecting,” he said. “That, after all, is in good part, what Rosh Hashanah is supposed to remind us of. And staying connected will keep us strong and centred and see us through this COVID storm.”
Email submissions to shanatovachc@gmail.com.
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