“Those of you going past the Cathedral this week will have noticed lots of activity as preparations are made for a Netflix production on the American musician, Leonard Bernstein. I am sure that those of us living in Ely will learn more about it over the weekend.
“It was my turn, this week, to take the KEJ Cathedral Services and coincidently, my theme was a Netflix production that I have been watching over the last month or so. Following advice from a friend, I have delved into unfamiliar territory by working my way through two of the three series of Shtisel. Heard of it? Many haven’t but it has a very passionate band of loyal followers. For the record, it is described by Netflix as “A haredi family living in an Ultra Orthodox neighbourhood of Jerusalem, reckoning with love, loss and the doldrums of daily life”. Perhaps not a selling strapline on one level but actually it reflects the realities, comings and goings in all communities. Through watching it I have found complete escapism,
struck by how different my life is to the characters I have been watching. The more I have got into it, the more I have been prompted to think about how I go about my own life.
“My message this week to the children has therefore been a very simple one: take an interest in the lives of others that you may perceive to be different and you might just start learning about yourself. Easier said than done, I know!
“Without getting too deep and philosophical, I hope you all have a very enjoyable weekend!”