London: 21:03

Birmingham: 20:00*

Hull: 21:12

Sheffield: 21:14

Southport: 21:21

Jerusalem: 19:08

London: 22:19

Birmingham: 22:33

Hull: 22:50

Sheffield: 22:49

Southport: 22:59

Jerusalem: 20:29

*Birmingham communities bring in Shabbat at 20:00 throughout the summer

You can find details of this week's Torah reading, Maftir and Haftarah in our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here.

Thursday 8 July, 2021

United Synagogue Trustees have agreed that if England win Euro 2020 on Sunday then they will rename Cockfosters and N Southgate Synagogue "Cockfosters and Gareth Southgate Synagogue" in honour of the England manager.

The England captain is set to be recognised too as Trustees consider renaming Kenton Synagogue "Kaneton".

In other proposals considered by US Trustees overnight, Kingston could be renamed KingStones after the defender's flawless showing while New West End could be come "New West 'Enderson". Luton might be called "Luketon" following the left back's world class performances.

You can read more of their ideas on Facebook and on Twitter - why not submit your own by replying to this email? Trustees have said they will consider all ideas!

O Jewish nurseries, where art thou?

Jewish nurseries offer the perfect start to our childen's education. We are blessed to have a number of wonderful United Synagogue Oftsed-registered nurseries and this week want to introduce them to you: BabyiSH nursery (South Hampstead), Brondesbury Park Synagogue Nursery, Bushey Gan, Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue Nursery, Kindergarten in the Wood (St John's Wood), Little Goldies (Golders Green) and Woodside Gan (Woodside Park).

Each of our seven nurseries are professionally run and provide learning and play in a warm and safe Jewish environment. Why not see which is your closest nursery? Click here to find out more.

What can we actually do about the plight of the Uyghur community?

Please do put Sunday afternoon in your diaries for our high-level conference in support of the Uyghur community (11 July, 5-8pm). Senior faith leaders, politicans and activists will outline practical steps we can take to support the Uyghur community. All are welcome and there's no need to book. Check out the programme and the link to watch the conference online live and on demand: www.TheUS.tv/TimeForAction.

Wanted: volunteer drivers

Every week we provide more than 100 of our most vulnerable families with food parcels. We have wonderful volunteers who help us pack and deliver them. A big thank you to all of you.

Now restrictions are easing and more people are returning to work, we need more volunteer drivers. If you have some spare time and would be willing to deliver food parcels to US members and the asylum-seekers that we support, please get in touch. No specific time commitment is needed. We put the "jobs" out on our WhatsApp group of drivers and you just reply if you are able to do it. We then private message you with the details. Deliveries are required throughout London. For more information, please e-mail Hannah Skolnick on hannahskolnick@theus.org.uk.

Tisha B'av

A week on Sunday (July 18) is Tisha B'av, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. You can see the programme we've put together here and watch all the programmes on TheUS.tv by clicking here.

The Prime Minister's announcement

On Monday the Prime Minister outlined the government's plans for the ending of lockdown restrictions on July 19. You can read our response here.

Shabbat shalom,

Richard Verber

Communications Director,

United Synagogue

Tribe Tour has begun!

The first ever Great British Tribe Tour have set off on their two week adventure with 35 excited attendees. Their journey will take them across the length and breadth of the country, discovering unique places, making friends for a lifetime and enjoying thrilling experiences such as hiking, ziplining, water sports, surfing, and city tours, while also marking Tisha B'Av and enjoying the special Tribe Shabbat experience. Some of the amazing places they will be visiting are The Lake District, Blackpool, Liverpool, York, Bristol, Bath, Oxford and Cornwall! Safe travels.

Women's educator programme graduation

Last week we celebrated the completion of the first cohort of our Lilmod Ul’Lamed Women’s educator programme, in conjunction with Mizrachi UK and Bnei Akiva UK. Seven young women completed the course to enhance their skills as educators. We had a celebratory (Covid-secure) dinner where participant Dania Mann-Wineberg made a Siyum on completing Makkot, a tractate of the Talmud. We look forward to celebrating with the educators in September at a graduation ceremony but until then wish them great success. We can't wait to see what they do for our communities moving forward. The next cohort of women will begin in September.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

Tisha B'Av Tour

There is an old tradition to visit a cemetery on the afternoon of Tisha B'Av. Join our special tour on Sunday 18 July from 1:30-3pm and will cover some of the fascinating residents of the cemetery, including scientist Rosalind Franklin and Tesco founder Jack Cohen. Limited spaces are still available so please book now via the link below.

WATCH NOW

Bamidbar Braai

Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn continues to cook his way through the Parshiot – now we are onto the Book of Bamidbar. Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try! This week is Whisky Toffee Pudding - watch it by clicking the link below.

US CEMETERIES

Opening times for cemeteries

On Tisha B’Av, Sunday 18 July 2021, Alderney Road, Brady Street, Lauriston Road, Plashet and West Ham cemeteries will be open between 11:00-15:00. Appointments are not required for visits on this day.

WATCH NOW

A Cycle of Sin

Join Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski for a special series of Lunch & Learns as he explores the Three Weeks ahead of Tisha B’Av. In case you missed this week's Lunch & Learn, titled 'A Cycle of Sin and the Exile of the Shechinah', you can watch it by clicking the link below.

From Anguish to Action - supporting the Uyghurs Jewish community conference

What's the most important thing to take with us when travelling? Click here to find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.

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

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

40 Years Policing

Join Edgware as they hear from Steve Birley, who has been a volunteer Police Officer (Special Constable) for over 40 years, the majority of service in the London Borough of Barnet. Tuesday 13 July at 8pm, live on Zoom.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Sponsored bike ride

A team of mums together with the headteacher at Yeladenu, Muswell Hill's nursery, will be doing a London to Brighton bike ride to raise money for the nursery. You can read more about it in this Ham&High article by clicking the link below.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Michael Whine MBE

Join Kenton as they hear from Michael Whine, the UK member of ECRI, a standing commission of the Strasbourg based Council of Europe which advises member states on human rights matters. Tonight at 8:15pm, live on Zoom.

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

3 Shiurim for the 3 Weeks

Join Hendon for a series of Shiurim during the Three Weeks. The next one will be by Dan Coleman, titled 'Shabbos Chazon: A Shift in Perspective' and will take place on Wednesday 14 July at 9:30am, live on Zoom.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: Elkan Levy

Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Elkan Levy, former President of the United Synagogue, whose talk will be titled 'The Jews of Georgian England'. Wednesday 14 July at 8pm, live on Zoom.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

CLC presents: Jon Kaye

Jon Kaye has worked in broadcasting and local politics for most of his adult life. He started London’s first daily Jewish radio programme at Spectrum Radio in 1990, he presented programmes at LBC, and has worked at various BBC stations. Tuesday 13 July at 11am.

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Shiurim for women

Join Hendon United Synagogue together with Ner Yisrael for their series of shiurim for women, on Sunday evenings from 8:30-9:30pm. The next shiur will be by Dr Chagit Blass and will take place on Sunday 11 July.

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.