We were privileged to host sixth form pupils from Yavneh College from Friday 4th March to Sunday 6th March here in Bournemouth. Led by their President Benjamin Perl MBE, Headteacher Spencer Lewis and Head of Jewish Studies Rabbi Andrew Davis some 75 young men and women joined us for the weekend services. It was also a pleasure to welcome once again Gordon Coleman whose late wife Dena was the first headteacher of Yavneh College and led it for 7 years to help make it the hugely successful institution that it is today. We fondly remember Dena who was a member of our Congregation and look forward to having Gordon in our midst for many years to come.
The Friday night service was very special, led by members of Yavneh College with plenty of singing and dancing. All present enjoyed welcoming Shabbat with joy and youthful energy.
Shabbat services were an enjoyable mix of members of our Congregation and visitors taking different parts of the services. After the morning service there was a kiddush organised by the Congregation in honour of our visitors during which Rabbi Adrian Jesner and BHC President Brian Lassman welcomed the teachers and pupils of Yavneh College.
Shabbat was concluded with a very special Motza’ei Shabbat Havdalah ceremony organised by the pupils in the Menorah Suite which was also attended by members of the Congregation.
Speaking of their visit to the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation, Headteacher Spencer Lewis said that the welcome had been exemplary and that they looked forward to returning to Bournemouth in the future. We wholeheartedly share that wish.
(Photos courtesy of M. Ozdamar)
