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30 Jul 2010 / 19 Av 5770     

Sandra Hurley

How do you like to be known?
Sandra

How long have you been associated with BRS and what brought you to us?
My first encounter with BRS was in the early 1980s, round about when I started my degree in Mechanical Engineering. Secular but questioning and emotionally tied to Israel - BRS was a good place for me to be.
However, the need to pay my rent and eat led me to accept a cashiering job with an insurance company. After a year I was given the opportunity to train as a management accountant and consequently threw myself into my work and studies. This in turn led to a massive conflict of interest, which accountancy won and BRS lost.
After many many years (I still work for the same company) I ended up with everything I wanted career-wise . . . but also a spiritual and educational void together with a nagging (metaphorical) voice demanding to know why I had separated myself from my community. The rest, as they say, is history.

What is your role in the community?
The most enjoyable thing that I do is teaching. I have loads of fun teaching Jewish Studies at the Cheder. I also have the pleasure of teaching Hebrew to a number of adults on a one-to-one basis.
I love being a lay reader, whether it’s for a Friday night service or for Shabbat morning. The mindset in our shul is one of encouraging people and giving them opportunities, which is why I like it here so much.
Somehow (I never saw it coming) I found myself on the Board and the R&R (Religion and Ritual) Committee. R&R is the reason why every now and again you see me pacing up and down on a Shabbat morning clutching a piece of paper as I go in search of people to fulfil the various mitzvot for the service. Contrary to my demeanour on those occasions, I really enjoy wardening.

What do you do with your spare time?
Most importantly I follow the fortunes of the best football team in the world, Chelsea, and hope that one day we win the Champions League. I’ve supported them for 35 years.
I like to play video and computer games, especially Footiemanager.com - an internet football management game. Currently I’m trying to keep Vicenza and Portsmouth in their respective top flight leagues.
I enjoy good food, good wine and good company - with idle chat and much relaxing; reading – usually science fiction, comedy or thrillers; watching cerebrally unchallenging TV, listening to Radio 4 and, when in my car, loud music; studying and, of course, going to shul.

Who are your family members?
I have a sister, Eve, who is somewhat older than me. She has three daughters who in turn have families, landing me with the title “great great aunt”. Our brother, Michael, died eight years ago from cancer. My sister and I are complete opposites, but we’ve never had a serious falling out.

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