Community Welfare
Community Welfare
Happy New Year
Sunday, 5th September 2021
Dear EHC member,
This is number 78 of our Welfare Report, 78 weeks since March 2020. It seems incredible the time has gone by in such a fashion, and no one could have truly predicted the position we were in and in some ways remain so.
But matters have eased and life has returned to a form of normality. In that vein, the Welfare Group have taken the decision to wind down their operation, to ease it but not to close it. We will be on ‘standby’ ready and waiting to run again if there should be a need. Our ‘buddy’ system will stay in place but we may not be ‘checking’ on you as frequently; we hope that we will not be intruding with the odd call going forward. But we very much want you to remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Please always know we still wish to be of service at any time to offer support and assistance.
This will also be the last welfare report for the time being. I would ask you to keep this one as it has certain numbers and contact information not only for shopping etc but for the events that we have enjoyed, many of which will continue.
I would like to thank the enlarged Welfare Group of Peter Bennett, John Danzig, Susie Kelpie, Carol Levstein, Harriet Lyall, Hilary Rifkind, Rabbi Rose and Jackie Taylor who sprang into action and who have all worked so diligently and effectively over the past eighteen months. As I have reported in the past, our community have done exceptionally well and I commend this group for their part in helping that to be the case. We will be going forward with a smaller group now and to that end I would give specific thanks to John Danzig and Harriet Lyall who will be leaving the enlarged group. Their contribution has been enormous.
We all send our very best wishes for the New Year and for a good and healthy year ahead. We hope it will prove to be all that we could wish for.
Most sincerely,
Edward Green,
Welfare Convenor
Events and Entertainment:
Glasgow’s Clive Aronson’s Oyvay Video will return mid-October after the Yomtovim. The programme has been a most enjoyable music and video show hosted each
Wednesday at 11.00am-12.30pm.
Details are as follows: https://zoom.us/j/7443980929 Password: esther86
And to tell you again of TED Talks.
The coming together of Technology, Entertainment and Design: https://www.ted.com/talks
There is a range of talks on what seems every subject, all very well given and all most acceptably brief (18 minutes or less), informative and erudite. Please check their website and enjoy any of the hundreds of talks that have been given
The ‘Lockdown University’, funded by the Nathan Kirsh Foundation holds a webinar most days on ZOOM that you are invited to join. In the main, they are truly fascinating.
Full details going forward can be obtained by emailing judi@parway.co.uk who will provide you with the weekly listing on a Sunday evening.
UK Jewish Film continues with its exciting programme is now available on demand and with many new additions: https://ukjewishfilm.org
I would also remind you that Harif.org have a wealth of past talks on their website and notices of future talks. Harif serves the Sephardic community.
The Jewish Music Institute present an online programme of concerts, lectures and documentaries celebrating Jewish creativity and talent. For all, visit www.jmi.org.uk.
to find past events and notices of future ones.
And of course there is the Ben Uri Gallery showcasing Jewish Art. They are indeed the first full scale Virtual Museum and Research Centre and are to be seen online 24/7 and free. Please see: benuri.org
And you are invited to join an online group for Jewish people in Scotland interested in textiles, crafts, and Judaica. This is primarily a social group for sharing ideas, techniques, and skills and potentially a forum for developing fundraising ideas for local Jewish and Scottish Charities. The meetings take place at 7.30pm every third Wednesday of the month.
For more information, please contact Elaine Levy: elainelevy@hotmail.com
And for all events out-with the Jewish Community in Scotland including ZOOM events, please see https://www.list.co.uk/about/sunday-times-scotland/
Scottish Government Notices:
For further details on the Virus, please see: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
For Communal Welfare:
Jewish Care Scotland still have an increased level of support during this crisis and offer a wealth of services. Please feel free to contact them on 0141 620 1800 or email hello@ jcarescot.org.uk where you will be put in touch with one of their Community and Wellbeing Team.
JAMI, the Mental Health Service for the Jewish community nationwide is offering free mental health support. This is where you can have text-based counselling, online peer support, learn of self-help tools and access to a confidential online journal. Please see qwell.io/jami for more details. You can telephone 020 8458 2223 and request a call-back.
“Raphael” raphaeljewishcounselling.org is a Jewish counselling service. They are a network for anyone looking for emotional support within the Jewish Community and offer one-to one counselling.
Age Scotland:
Age Scotland, formerly Age Concern have a wonderful selection of services in response to the Covid Pandemic:
Independent Age: https://www.independentage.org/get-support/receive-regular-phone-calls
If you feel you could do with more conversation in your life, Independent Age will connect you with a volunteer who’s good company and wants to chat.
Re-engage: https://www.reengage.org.uk/join-a-group/apply/
Call companions is a free service for older people who live alone and feel they would enjoy a friendly phone call every week or two.
Vintage Vibes: https://vintagevibes.org.uk/
is a service tackling isolation and loneliness among over-60s in Edinburgh. They are reaching out across the city, offering companionship, reliable support and the chance to be more socially connected.
Golden Years Cyrenians:
https://cyrenians.scot/how-we-help/130-golden-years-community-connecting
An innovative befriending service helping to tackle isolation and loneliness for the over 60’s in Edinburgh.
You can also take a look at the Befriending Networks Directory for further information on befriending services: https://www.befriending.co.uk/directory/
If you would like to speak to one of their advisers, please contact the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222 between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
For Shopping:
The Welfare Group still advise that home deliveries are still most advisable and we would encourage you to use this service for as much as possible for what you need. Susie Kelpie has recommended these firms for home deliveries of fresh produce:
Craigies Farm: https://craigies.co.uk/ 0131 319 1048
TasteBack: tasteback.co.uk 07310 116530
Charles Stamper: charlesstamper.online 0131 551 3636
Morrisons Supermarket provide an excellent next-day doorstep delivery for even one item as a service for elderly and vulnerable customers. Please ring 0345 611 6111 ext.5 where you can speak with a representative who will take your order.
Deliveries from Mark’s Deli are fortnightly usually on a Thursday in the early afternoon. Please place your orders by contacting them directly for groceries and ready prepared meals. May I remind you that Richie will now deliver to your car when you are collecting from Salisbury Road and you are requested to telephone him upon arrival.
Chaim and Sora Jacobs offer an expanded menu of ready prepared meals from Glasgow for delivery to Edinburgh. A full listing of their menu is to be found on their website or by calling their number.
I attach a list of numbers and contacts:
Rabbi David Rose rabbi@ehcong.com
Hon. Secretary, Jackie Taylor honsecehc@gmail.com
Richie (Caretaker) 0131 667 3144
Jewish Care Scotland 0141 620 1800 http://www.jcarescot.org.uk
Mark’s Deli 0141 638 8947 https://www.marksdeli.co.uk/deli.html
Sora’s Café 0141 638 6116 http://www.lubofscot.co.uk/lchaims/lunches.htm