UPDATE!!!!

PETITION CLOSED - THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Given the email sent to the community this morning saying that in light of the April Board meeting and soundings from community members, they are looking to find a way to renew the contracts of Rabbi Garry and Suzanne, I am going to close this petition for now.

The decision had already been taken before this petition started on Sunday evening - but to get 75 signatures in 18 hours shows the strength of support for them so it has been well worth doing.

Thanks for signing and for all your support.

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I feel this is a massive mistake for the shul to make.

Rabbi Garry, as he is known to everyone, has in my opinion been the best thing to happen to our community in the last five years.

He has inspired, encouraged, entertained, befriended and educated the youth of our community and transformed what the shul was offering this vitally important group of people.

He has grown into the role and reinvigorated the youth services, opened up his home for Friday night meals and other events, helped boys with their Bar Mitzvahs, encouraged those who go on to do further leining, provided programmes for boys and girls including the highly successful Learn to Lead, held barbecues at shul on Yom Tov, led the Cheder and been a friendly point of contact for youth, especially teenagers, coming to shul.

Letting him walk out of the community would be a tragic waste of such talent.

I am told it is too late to change the decision but it is never too late - I want to get so many signatures on this petition that the board have no option but to change their mind and renew his contract or offer him a new one.

The proposed alternative of a youth director could not provide a fraction of what Rabbi Garry does.

If you agree with me, then please sign this petition - and pass it on to everyone you know.

Don't let the future of the youth of our community be damaged - thank you.