London: 17:36 Birmingham: 17:38 Sheffield: 17:33 Southport: 17:38 Jerusalem: 17:18 London: 18:37 Birmingham: 18:42 Sheffield: 18:42 Southport: 18:48 Jerusalem: 18:34 A very warm welcome to the newest constituent members of the United Synagogue: Southport Hebrew Congregation!
Earlier this week the United Synagogue Council voted in favour of welcoming the community to the United Synagogue family and they become members with immediate effect.
I learned this week that there has been a Jewish presence in Southport since the middle of the nineteenth century. As the popularity and prosperity of the seaside town grew towards the end of that century, Jews followed. The first orthodox synagogue was consecrated by the then Chief Rabbi Rev Dr Hermann Adler in 1893.
The Jewish population continued to prosper as the town became a popular resort and attractive commuter town for the industrial cities of Liverpool and Manchester and in 1926 a magnificent new orthodox Shul was built. Over the next 50 years the Jewish population grew and prospered.
Community infrastructure included Southport’s own Kashrut Commission, Chevra Kadisha, Care Home, Social Committee, Youth Clubs, Masonic Lodges and support for many charities and in its heyday, there were more than 120 children enrolled in Cheder.
Today, though the community is much smaller, it still has a dedicated group of volunteers to run communal affairs and a rota of Rabbis and ministers to lead services every week.
We spoke with Adrian Fletcher this week, the Senior Warden at Southport Hebrew Congregation, who told us: “We are thrilled that Southport Hebrew Congregation is joining the United Synagogue. Southport Hebrew Congregation has a long and proud history and we know that with the support of the United Synagogue, our future is secure too. A new vigour has appeared amongst our members now that there is a real prospect for our longevity. We look forward to working with Trustees and senior leaders to finalise the arrangements and to playing a full role as a constituent member of the United Synagogue.”
And Michael Goldstein, our President, said: “We are delighted that the United Synagogue Council has voted to admit Southport Hebrew Congregation to the United Synagogue. Throughout the process we have been struck by the community’s warmth and commitment to Yiddishkeit and look forward to them becoming part of our family. I’m also looking forward to visiting the community when conditions allow and spending a wonderful Shabbat on the coast to experience for myself Southport’s renowned warm welcome!”
Prayers for Dayan Ehrentreu and Rabbi Lord Sacks
Sadly, you may have heard that both Dayan Ehrentreu, the former Rosh Beth Din of the London Beth Din, and Rabbi Lord Sacks, the Emeritus Chief Rabbi are unwell. Tonight we are running an evening of learning and davening for Dayan Ehrentreu (details below) and please also save the date for an evening for Rabbi Sacks - next Thursday, 29 October, at 7:30pm (details below too). We wish them both a refuah sheleimah, a full and speedy recovery.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber Communications Director United Synagogue An evening of learning for Dayan Ehrentreu Please join the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue for an evening of learning and davening for a refuah sheleimah, a full and speedy recovery, for Dayan Ehrentreu, the former Rosh Beth Din of the London Beth Din. This will take place tonight at 7:15pm. Watch live via Zoom (Zoom ID 886 6393 6626, Password 493395) or on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below. An evening of learning for Rabbi Sacks Please also join the United Synagogue for an evening of learning and davening for a refuah sheleimah, a full and speedy recovery, for Rabbi Lord Sacks, the Emeritus Chief Rabbi. This will take place next week, Thursday 22 October, at 7:30pm. Watch live via Zoom (Zoom ID 892 4965 9339, Password 366940) or on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.
KASHRUT ALERTS KLBD is now on WhatsApp! KLBD news and alerts are now available on WhatsApp! Receive Kashrut alerts via WhatsApp, as well as news of the latest certified products and special offers via status updates. To join, just open the link below on your phone or add KLBD News & Alerts to your contacts ( +44 20 8343 6333) and WhatsApp them saying 'Please add me.' NEW SERIES Book of Bereishit Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for a new video series as he explores the Book of Bereishit. This week's video is titled 'What will the world look like when this is all over?', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below. A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Thank you to our Honorary Officers What a challenging and unusual Yom Tov season it has been. Our President, Michael Goldstein, has penned this beautiful tribute to our communities' Honorary Officers, Rabbis and Rebbetzens to thank them for their tremendous efforts over the past couple of months. Do have a read. Click the play button to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi. If you'd prefer to read the transcript, please click here. BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE Live tour of Jerusalem Join Borehamwood & Elstree together with UJIA for a live tour of the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, led by tour guide Yoni Zierler. Discover Jerusalem's history through the tour, culminating in an arrival at the Kotel. Motzei Shabbat 24 October at 7.30pm, live on Zoom. BELMONT UNITED SYNAGOGUE The saving of Danish Jewry Join Belmont as they hear from Emeritus Danish Chief Rabbi Bent Melchior, who will be talking about life under German occupation, and how Danish Jews were saved from deportation. Part of this remarkable story was described by Rabbi Melchior in the recent Shana Tova! book. Join this event to learn more about it Sunday 25 October at 6pm, live on Zoom. PINNER UNITED SYNAGOGUE SPARK learning programme This week, Pinner launched their new in-person, Covid-safe programme for children called SPARK. SPARK is a Sunday morning programme which focuses on Jewish learning and fun and has two classes: 'mini-sparks' for children in nursery and reception, and 'spark ignite' for years 1 and 2. COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE CLC presents: Moshe Bassali Moshe Bassali has been working in Venice since 1991. He was born in Milan, as were his three brothers, who run the family jewellery business. He will be giving a virtual tour of Jewish Venice, its old ghetto and synagogues. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (27 October), 11am. MAGEN AVOT UNITED SYNAGOGUE The 3-T Project Magen Avot launched its '3T Project' in July, and it continued up until Yom Kippur. The project encompassed activities related to the ‘3 Ts’ of Teshuva, Tefilla and Tzedaka, and provided the community with a way to unite in giving a proactive and positive response to the uncertain times we are going through. ALEI TZION UNITED SYNAGOGUE Virtual tour of Israel Alei Tzion together with Kisharon recently took part in an exclusive virtual tour of Israel, which consisted of a concert, performed and hosted by the talented singer/songwriter Moshe Feiglin of Kadmon Tours. Participants also enjoyed the sights and sounds of Israel, and were able to meet locals virtually. EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE Edgware presents: Shimon Samuels Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live, as they hear from Shimon Samuels, director of International Relations of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, whose talk will be titled 'With Clenched Fist and Outstretched Arm'. Wednesday 28 October at 8pm, live on Zoom.
Welcome to 'Tell US', our new section where we invite you to contribute a joke, a poem or a story. We look forward to turning the spotlight on your literary creations over the coming weeks and months!
This week's contribution is by Henry Jacobs, a member of Enfield & Winchmore Hill United Synagogue.
The Walls of Jericho
Bright faced kids in Cheder, all waiting to be told. What next to do, with ears pricked up, they listened good as gold.
"Now here's a question, now hear me well, that I would like to know. Who knocked down, the walls of Jericho, who went and laid them low?"
Eyes went darting left and right, but faces were just blank. The answer quite eluded them, slumped in their seats, they sank.
The teacher became impatient silence it did rule, "Come on now, somebody, who was it that made them fall?"
The class hushed in silence not a murmur could be heard, Then slowly from the back row, came a mumbled word.
The teacher's gaze was taken, to a boy sat at the rear. "Please will you speak up, if it's something we should hear?"
"Perhaps you have the answer, I think that you might know. Stand up, and speak up, it's almost time to go."
Slowly stood up a child, saying, "I know it is a shame, But it wasn't me, I wasn't there, I cannot take the blame."
The teacher was clear shocked, at this show of ignorance. To his father, she would relate, the boy's lack of reverence.
"My son is always truthful, he never tells a lie, If he says it wasn't him, accept it, please let the matter die."
Now in much annoyance, to the Chair of Education she did go. Her grievance and report, to his attention she would show.
"Now come, let's not be hasty," He pondered "let me see, The boy I know, his parents too, perhaps we'll let it be."
"Think of our reputation, on this we should agree. Let's not worry who knocked down the walls, just send the bill to me!"
Please send your submissions to youandus@theus.org.uk.
This email was sent with love from the United Synagogue. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe here |