Congregants and representatives from other faiths celebrated the 10th anniversary of Harlow Jewish Community’s Rabbi Irit Shillor at a packed service.
It was conducted by the community’s former rabbi Michael Pertz.
Life president Cheryl Petar said: “The shul was at least as full as for the High Holy Days and that alone is tribute to how much we all appreciate Rabbi Irit. She’s the cornerstone of our congregation and we couldn’t do without her. The service was joyful and a real celebration.”
Rabbi Shillor said: “One of the things I learned in Harlow was that isolating myself won’t make me a better Rabbi. On the contrary, I had to … enable myself to become a member of the community as well as its leader … I try to engage in as much interfaith work as I can, and it is my personal path towards Tikkun Olam … I would like to thank the whole community for being my community. I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you all.”
The congregation presented the rabbi with some books from her wishlist and the service was followed by a kiddush.
