London: 20:24 Birmingham: 20:00 Sheffield: 20:31 Jerusalem: 18:50 London: 21:31 Birmingham: 21:42 Sheffield: 21:50 Jerusalem: 20:08 As the pandemic put paid to many families’ summer plans, Tribe wanted to find a way to save the summer for Years 4, 5 and 6…and so the ‘Summer Staycation’ was born. Tribe’s professionally-run day camps have been keeping 240 children safe and entertained for the past two weeks at two of our shuls. It's continuing next week too and there is still time to register by clicking here.
They’ve been having a blast, with busy days consisting of sport, outdoor inflatables, games, and arts & crafts designing mugs, hats, and pencil cases. Rav E (Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff) has also been leading daily Tefillah sessions and discussions about friendship, Israel and happiness.
The Staycation has been met with great feedback from participants, such as Evie, 10, who told us: "I have really enjoyed camp so much, it has been such a fun week and the graffiti activity was so cool."
And nine-year-old Fraser said: "The inflatables and the graffiti activities were really fun and the leaders make all the activities even better. I’ve had such a fun week playing games."
The camp madrichim (leaders) are equally as enthusiastic, with Kinloss madrich Toby telling us: "This has been an incredible Jewish experience for the participants, we have come out of lockdown and been able to socialise safely whilst engaging in Jewish life."
A huge thank you to everyone that is putting in so much hard work to ensure that children don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a Covid-secure and fun-filled summer camp experience.
Our young people in Years 7, 8 9 and 10 haven't been forgotten either: Tribe’s Summer Scavenger Hunts will be taking place on 20 August for Years 9 and 10, and on 23 August for Years 7 and 8. Jump inside a real life Monopoly game and be the first to complete all the challenges! Full details coming soon on the Tribe website. Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber Communications Director, United Synagogue CRP course for parents and children The United Synagogue and Tribe are launching a brand-new course next month for parents and children to help families get their CRP points for Jewish schools' admission. Join us for a six part online series exploring a variety of Jewish topics led by teachers with a wealth of experience teaching in Jewish schools. Each of the six sessions will run for 30 minutes, and will cover topics including 'The Jewish Calendar', 'Creation & Recreation', and 'Journeys'. The first course will start on 26 August. To find out more and sign up, click the link below. CRP Q&A As a temporary CRP system has been introduced for the 2021/22 academic intake, the United Synagogue together with Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagogue will be hosting an information session for parents and pupils to hear about the ways to earn points this year as part of applications to Jewish schools, as well as how the challenges posed to the CRP system by Covid-19 were resolved by the Office of the Chief Rabbi and the United Synagogue. This will be available to watch on TheUS.tv from Thursday 13 August at 7pm by clicking the link below. NEW WEEKLY SERIES FOR FAMILIES Parsha Cast! We are delighted to bring you Parsha Cast - a brand new video series for families from South Hampstead United Synagogue produced by Rebbetzen Lauren Levin and Rabbi Eli Levin of South Hampstead and Tribe. Each week you get the lowdown on the weekly parsha in a short fun video with some questions to discuss with your family. View the series on TheUS.tv. WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK! Do you have your finger on the pulse? Finger on the Pulse is a focus group where our members talk to the United Synagogue and we listen. The next focus group is on Monday 17 August, when we want to hear views on "How did the US do over lockdown?". The good, the bad and the indifferent. 12 places maximum - please RSVP via the button below. KLBD Kosher gin! Good news for gin drinkers - KLBD have just announced that Tiptree Gin Liqueurs, made with real fruit, are now KLBD Certified Parev, no logo. They are available from tiptree.com and other online retailers. Find more details by clicking the link below. BURIAL SOCIETY Cemetery visits Visiting a loved one at this time of year usually takes place a few Sundays before the Chagim. The Burial Society is asking that this year with the need for social distancing, you should try and come during weekdays, and it would be appreciated if you could stagger visits over 3-4 weeks before Rosh Hashanah. THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT! Mill Hill United Synagogue welcomes you tomorrow! KLBD Eat Out To Help Out As part of the government's new 'Eat Out To Help Out' scheme, participating restaurants will be offering a 50% discount (up to £10) on meals, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31 August. Click the link below to see the full list of KLBD-supervised restaurants participating. A change in the order presents us with a crucially important lesson for life.
Last Shabbat, Parshat Va’etchanan, we read the first paragraph of the Shema which is so very well known to us. In it we have the important mitzvah of ושננתם לבנך ודברת בם – we must teach Torah to our children. A bit later in the same paragraph, we’re given the Mitzvah of Teffilin – וקשרתם לאות על ידך. Now in the second paragraph of Shema which we will be reading in Parshat Eikev this coming Shabbat, we have, yet again, the mitzvah of tefillin – וקשרתם לאות על ידכם and that is followed by ולמדתם אותם את בניכם לדבר בם. First Teffilin and then Talmud Torah.
So my question is this: Why is it that in the first paragraph, the teaching of Torah precedes the mitzvah of Teffilin, whereas in the second paragraph, first, we have the mitzvah of Teffilin followed by the mitzvah to teach Torah.
Now we know of course that the first paragraph of the Shema is in the singular. It therefore, addresses each and every one of us in our own individual capacities. The second paragraph is in the plural, indicating that we fulfil the mitzvot of Hashem as an integral part of Am Yisrael as a collective, with a responsibility to all of Am Yisrael.
Allow me therefore to suggest the following: When a child is born, the parents immediately have the mitzvah of ושנתם לבנך – to teach Torah to their child. To instil within the heart and the mind of that child an appreciation of Torah values and eventually as suggested by the first paragraph, the child will grow up. As girls reach the age of 12 and boys reach the age of 13 when they put on Teffilin, they become members of the adult community of Am Yisrael and they embrace fresh responsibilities. But that’s not the end of the story.
The second paragraph of the Shema picks it up from there. First of all, Teffilin and after that, yet again, Talmud Torah. Indicating that as an adult, the study of Torah must always continue.
In this spirit, we say in our davening every evening, ‘כי הם חיינו וארך ימנו ובהם נהגה יומם ולילה – that the words of Torah are our lives and they are the length of our days’ – they are there to inspire and to guide us throughout our lives. Let no one therefore think, God forbid, that there comes a time in one’s life when one ‘graduates’ from Torah study, or from a commitment to keep the law of Hashem. Quite the contrary: Talmud Torah needs to be a part of our lives both as children and thereafter, throughout our entire existence. And thanks to Torah, we have the keys to a meaningful life filled with joy and happiness always.
Shabbat shalom
HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE Global Staycation: Australia Join Hampstead for a new series exploring the world virtually, and this week it will be featuring the Great Synagogue in Sydney, with presenters Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Elenore Levi and Sharon Schach. They will be discussing inspirational stories as what to see when visiting Sydney. Watch live on TheUS.tv. COCKFOSTERS AND N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE CLC presents: Phil Dave Phil Dave has been in the world of broadcasting for many years, with one of his main achievements being becoming the youngest ever programme controller of a UK radio station at the age of 19. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (11 August), 11am. This email was sent with love from the United Synagogue. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe here |