Makor Hayim celebrates ‘magical’ departing Chair at Shabbat service
Makor Hayim held a special Shabbat service to honour the significant contributions of Martin Dives, who is stepping down as Chair after seven years.
Martin was instrumental in the original decision to unite Shir Hayim and the Willesden Minyan, transforming them into the intergenerational Reform community Makor Hayim, whose name means ‘Source of Life’.
The experiment began with shared Shabbat and festival services and has blossomed into a permanent community with over 150 ‘Builders’ (members) contributing through financial support and voluntary leadership. Martin, alongside his wife Lauretta, has been a warm, inviting presence, welcoming new members and guiding the community.
The Shabbat service celebrated Martin’s leadership with speeches from the community’s Co-Founders, Trustees, Builders and Rabbis. The atmosphere was one of joy and celebration, with over 50 adults and 30 children present.
Martin and Lauretta were presented with the gifts of a dishcloth, featuring pictures of all the community’s children, and a tablecloth, to symbolise their generous hospitality (pictured).
At the service, the trustees also announced a radical plan to share Chair responsibilities going forwrd, dividing tasks among themselves.
Martin expressed his amazement and gratitude, stating he would continue to support the community during the transition. He said: “I am still in a state of radical amazement, dazzlement and happy shock at all of your acknowledgements, appreciation and love you expressed for Lauretta and me.
“I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all that each of you has done to make the Makor Hayim community such a special one and to have given me the most extraordinary and unforgettable joyous and spiritual experiences as leader.
“Just in case you were wondering – I am not going anywhere! I will be providing the trustees and team leaders with transitional support over the next three to four months and will continue with or join as a member of some of our teams which may want to have me.”
Student Rabbi Yael Tischler praised Martin’s “magic” in leadership, vision, and nurturing the community, ensuring a hopeful future for Makor Hayim.
Reflecting on the community’s spirit, Paul Langsford, Chair of the Movement for Reform Judaism, said: “What inspires me is the community’s collective will to make it all happen. Their values are at the heart of everything they do and how they practice their Judaism.”
