London: 17:51

Birmingham: 18:11

Sheffield: 17:48

Jerusalem: 17:26

London: 18:50

Birmingham: 18:56

Sheffield: 18:56

Jerusalem: 18:41

"We have a responsibility," says the Chief Rabbi, "Not just to look after our world of today but to invest in a healthy world for the generations to come."

"Climate change," the Chief Rabbi continues, "Needs to be one of our top priorities. We must fulfil the biblical commandment to work in this world and to guard it for the future."

The Chief Rabbi is quoting a verse in this week's sedra of Bereishit, where God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "l'ovdah ul'shomrah", to work the earth and to guard it (Genesis 2:15).

What better way to begin the reading of the new Torah cycle which charts the creation of our planet than by reflecting on the challenge facing all of humankind: climate change.

To help us on our way, one of our members, Jonathan Waxman of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue (HGSS), has made this beautiful new video which is introduced by the Chief Rabbi. Jonathan outlines both the scale of the problem we face, but offers reasons to be hopeful that together, we can tackle the crisis.

HGSS is one of a number of United Synagogue communities who are part of EcoSynagogue, a community-wide project supported by the Chief Rabbi and the Board of Deputies. Golders Green, Muswell Hill, Pinner and South Hampstead have all signed up to self-assess how environmentally-friendly and aware their buildings and communities are.

Muswell Hill's Rabbi David Mason is leading on EcoSynagogue for us and he would love to hear from you. If you would like your community to begin its EcoSynagogue journey, feel free to contact him via rabbimason@muswellhillsynagogue.org.uk

Rabbi Mason told me: "EcoSynagogue gives your shul a path to improve your sustainability, ensure you are not unwittingly damaging the environment and grow awareness in these areas within your community. At EcoSynagogue, we are now looking to bring more ideas, resources and science to the communities that participate and will look to bring networks of active members together.

"Each Synagogue sets up a ‘Green team’ and brings together members of their community passionate in protecting the environment. Perhaps, given the environment is our life support system, this is a passion we should all share!"

Covid alert level changes: what they means for our shuls

You will have probably seen the news this morning that the Government has moved London, Essex and some other areas in the UK to the High Covid alert level (Tier 2). For those of you live in these areas, whilst these restrictions will no doubt mean changes to your personal lives, as things stand, places of worship are not affected and programming and services can continue in all United Synagogue communities across the country as per our most recent guidance.

We continue to keep the situation under close review and my colleagues are writing guidance and advice on how our activity would change if an area moves to the Very High Covid alert level (Tier 3).

Women's Hallel

Women's Hallel makes a welcome return this Sunday. Women are invited to join Rebbetzen Dr Fromson of Golders Green United Synagogue and Rebbetzen Talya Rose of Mill Hill United Synagogue for an uplifting musical Hallel service to mark Rosh Chodesh, the new Jewish month of Cheshvan. Sunday, 10.30am, live on TheUS.tv and on our Facebook page.

Shabbat shalom,

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

Can you help with our food parcel project?

Following the success of the project's original launch, the United Synagogue Chesed Department will soon be revamping the essential food parcels. These parcels are intended for people in financial difficulty, and also people who are unable to go out and buy food for health reasons. US Chesed are looking for volunteers to help us pack the boxes, deliver parcels to shuls, and to cook meals. For more information, please contact Yael Peleg via email by clicking on the link below.

Kabbalat Shabbat: Live

is back tomorrow, 4:50pm!

Thank you for all the lovely messages about how you were missing Kabbalat Shabbat: Live! We have a much shorter Kabbalat Shabbat service when Shabbat and Yom Tov combine, (since the other Kabbalat Shabbat prayers refer to a regular week rather than Yom Tov) but we're delighted to be broadcasting again on Friday afternoons from now on. Join Sutton & District's Rev Shmully Aronson for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service with a guest appearance from Chazan Avrom Aronson of Stenecourt Synagogue in Manchester. Watch live on TheUS.tv and on Facebook.

KLBD

New Kosher products!

M&M's Biscuit Bars are KLBD Kosher Certified Dairy, with logo! The new range of Bounce Filled Protein Balls are KLBD Certified, no logo. Rude Health High Fibre and Low Sugar Granola and Muesli Cereals are KLBD Certified Parev, with logo. For more KLBD news, click the link below.

WATCH AGAIN

Lunch & Learn

In case you missed it, catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with guest speaker Rebbetzen Vicki Belovski of Golders Green, who delved into this week's Parasha, Bereishit. Watch it again by clicking the link below.

MAZAL TOV!

A well-deserved award

Mazal Tov to Reverend Gary Newman, who received an award for his 20 years of service as the hospital chaplain of King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen Hospital in Romford. Reverend Newman is also the pastoral minister at Cranbrook United Synagogue.

HUMANS OF WILLESDEN CEMETERY

The story of Walter Rothschild

We are sharing the fascinating stories of some of the remarkable people laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. This week is the story of scientist Walter Rothschild (1868-1937). Read it via the link below.

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. The first video is titled 'Crucial choices and how they affect our lives', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.

ST MARK'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Virtual event for US members

Join US Chesed and St Mark's Hospital Foundation for an exclusive event, with talks from the Chief Executive of the foundation, as well as a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the hospital. Monday 26 October at 8pm, live on Zoom.

MARKETING VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

Social media storyteller

Willesden Jewish Cemetery is looking for a social media storyteller! Help engage new audiences by creating creative and consistent social media content to drive visits to their new heritage experience. Find out more via 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.

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 us and we listen. The next focus group is on Monday 19 October, and we particularly want to hear your views if you are over 55 years old. Contact the United Synagogue's Ben Vos to book online by clicking on the link below.

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.

for more Torah content, click here to read out Daf Hashavua

MAGEN AVOT SYNAGOGUE

Tour of the Natural History Museum

Join Magen Avot for a Genesis Tour of the Natural History Museum, which will unpick the relationship between Creation and Evolution, and discover the surprising origins of the museum. Sunday 25 October at 8pm, live on Zoom.

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Tah Sh'ma

Join Hendon for their popular lecture series, Tah Sh'ma, featuring a different speaker each week. The next talk will be by Rabbi Jonathan Hughes of Radlett United Synagogue, and will take place on Wednesday 21 October at 9.30am, live on Zoom.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

Professor Graham Hitman

Graham Hitman is Professor of Molecular Medicine and Diabetes at Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, and will discuss his research journey in diabetes. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (20 October), 11am.

NEW WEST END UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Avinu Malkeinu

Watch this stunning rendition of Avinu Malkeinu, sung by the Mosaic Voices of New West End Synaogue. The video was filmed at the shul observing social distancing, and is available to watch on YouTube by clicking the link below.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Muswell Hill presents: Ashley Blaker

Join Muswell Hill for a 'live' performance by well-known stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker, live on Zoom. Sunday 18 September at 8pm.

The cost is £5 per login, and tickets can

be bought by clicking the link below.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Bournemouth's Jewish hotels

Join Kenton as they hear from Geoffrey Feld, who will be talking about the rise and fall of Bournemouth's Jewish hotels. Geoffrey's family ran both the Cumberland Hotel and the Majestic Hotel. Monday 19 October at 8pm, live on Zoom.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Breakfast & Learn

Join Edgware for Breakfast & Learn, as they hear from Rabbi Garry Wayland, a Jewish educator and teacher. Rabbi Wayland will be giving his fascinating talk on Tuesday 20 October at 9am, live on Zoom.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: Heather Daniels

Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live, as they hear from Heather Daniels, a specialist diabetes dietitian, who will be discussing healthy eating during lockdown and beyond. Wednesday 21 October at 8pm, live on Zoom.

WHAT'S ON?

Online events

Despite the challenges of lockdown we've got lots of great events taking place online! See what virtual events are happening in our communities every week by checking out the United Synagogue events portal.

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 Sue Rudolf, a member of Hampstead Garden Suburb United Synagogue.

Where did the time go?

Where did the time go?

Suddenly I’m grandma of four...!

They play and sing – I want to dance with them

And roll around the floor

I look through the window where I see

Places I should visit, love I should have kept,

Experiences yet to try –

Is it now too late? Am I so inept?

I have aches and pains but my face doesn’t frighten the horses!

Should I venture out, meet new friends, embark on adult education courses?