Jan Shure's blog

I have just been to one of those synagogue events which have sprung up in the past decade, a baby blessing. Almost certainly imported from the USA, baby blessings are designed to demonstrate the fecundity of a congregation and, by association, the thriving nature of the shul and its contribution to the future of the Jewish community.

I recall the earliest being held at Mill Hill Synagogue in about 1998 (as a former community news editor of the JC, I was required to be aware of such things), and since then, they have fanned out across the synagogue organisations and the country.

One of the attributes that still amazes and impresses me when it comes to the women of Britain's Jewish community is their energy and sheer indomitable enthusiasm when it comes to supporting good causes.