Our Family got to know about Wessex LJC when invited to a Bar Mitzvah a few years ago now.

We met Rabbi René, and I explained my family history and that I wanted to join and convert. This was so that I and my children would have a place where we fully belong and also live our best Jewish life that sadly was denied to my Grandmother.

Since meeting Rabbi René that day, because of Covid, quite some time has gone by. In fact our family have just attended our first in person Seder with our lovely Community, including my husband. Adrian is not Jewish but was made to feel as part of our community as always.

My conversion will be at its final stage this May and I cannot wait!

Our children are also happy members of our community. Bella attended her second LJY Netzer youth camp which she absolutely loves and we also have a once a month youth Shabbat zoom that is lots of fun. I would fully encourage anyone's kids, grandkids etc to take part.

All in all, WLJC have become Family to us. Spending time together when we come to shul and seeing all ages mixing so well gives me hope. It also gives me the goal to see not just WLJC grow but our whole Liberal Judaism community with and for our children. I know they will bring more inclusivity and open mindedness as they grow!

Here we are, myself, Yoshua and Bella helping to decorate the Sukkah at Wessex's Bournemouth Synagogue.