Meeting of broad council of the kehillot

The priests of the kehillot meet regularly, once every two months, in order to discuss the situation of the kehillot and to coordinate pastoral work. A need was felt to include other representatives in the discussions and form a broader council that can meet at least twice a year. The broader council will help to evaluate the situation and improve the functioning of the kehillot. The hope is that the broader council will serve as a body that also initiates projects to improve community life and the religious services offered by the Saint James Vicariate in Israel.

During the meeting, which took place in he convent of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Kiryat Yearim, ten of the priests of the kehillot were present: Father David, Vicar and in charge of the Jerusalem kehilla, Father Apolinary, in charge of the Jaffa kehilla, Father Roman, in charge of the Haifa kehilla (and that of Nazareth), Father Gioele from Beer Sheba, Father Giuseppe, in charge of the Tiberias kehilla, Father Wieslaw, responsible for the Russian speakers in the south, Father Sergey, responsible for the Russian speakers in Tiberias (and the north) as well as Fathers Gregor, Rafic and Michel. Gathered together with them were representatives from the different communities: Sister Elizabeth from Beer Sheba, Sister Anna and Vladimir from Jaffa, Lucia and Benedetto from Jerusalem, Martha from Haifa, Brother Anton from Latroun and Norbert from Nazareth.

Many hours were devoted to a discussion of the vast array of elements that make up the life of the kehillot: the sacraments, community life, preparation to receive the sacraments, children, youth, soldiers, young families, bachelors, religious, the sick and elderly. Others elements, like: communication, finances, relations with the local and universal Church, the mission of the kehillot, are also important and need to be discussed in a further meeting.

Certain practical decisions emerged from the meeting:

- a commission will work on formulating texts to help in the preparation for marriage

- work will begin on composing a prayer book for use at home and in the family

- a short children's camp will be organized during the Passover holidays

Aside from practical decisions, the meeting raised the level of consciousness with regard to the existence of different groups within the kehillot, their needs and the different issues that need research and attention.

The council agreed to meet again in April in order to continue the discussion. The participants expressed the hope that their work will help to develop and advance the kehillot.