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London: 16:38

Birmingham: 16:39

Hull: 16:28

Sheffield: 16:34

Southport: 16:39

Jerusalem: 16:35

London: 17:44

Birmingham: 17:49

Hull: 17:45

Sheffield: 17:50

Southport: 17:56

Jerusalem: 17:53

The UK times listed above are for cities with United Synagogue communities.

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

Thursday 2 February, 2023

I am extremely humbled to be taking on the position of Chief Executive at the United Synagogue. It's meaningful to me to be getting started in the week of the Torah reading of Beshalach which highlights Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron.

 

Miriam is a prophetess, who, the Talmud teaches, foresaw that her mother would give birth to a son who would go on to save the Jewish people (Moses). Her own father casts doubt on her prophecy. Despite knowing she was right, she went to watch over Moses by the river Nile and made sure he was safe after Pharoah ordered all the Jewish baby boys be drowned.

 

What I particularly like about this teaching is that Miriam knew she had to play an active part to see the Jewish people redeemed. And having been a key actor in the story, and alongside her brothers leading the Jewish people from slavery, it is no wonder that Miriam breaks into song and dance after they cross the sea.

 

This moment for her is the fulfilment of a prophecy she had when she was a young girl – one that she never lost sight of.

 

Today we aren’t fortunate enough to receive prophecies. But we do try to envision better lives for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in the future. I will be setting out a vision for the United Synagogue, the charity I love – a vison that sees us building stronger, vibrant, inclusive communities – and one that centres around connection and Jewish growth.

 

In striving to fulfil it, working with many talented colleagues, volunteers and members Miriam will be a role model. She reminds us to play an active role and despite bumps in the road, never to lose sight of the destination. 

 

Thank you for being part of the United Synagogue.

Writing You&US this week also gives me the opportunity to thank Steven Wilson who is stepping down from his role after nearly nine years.

 

Steven has been an exceptional leader and a great mentor to me, and I know many others. He has played a vital role at implementing our strategic review and defining our vision. We are very fortunate that he has chosen to stay with us until the end of April and we look forward to being able to say a proper goodbye then.

 

We asked Steven to say some words of reflection as he steps down. Steven said: "The experience of being the Chief Executive of the United Synagogue will stay with me for the rest of my life. It has been an extraordinary privilege. We have achieved so much together and that has only been possible because I’ve had the daily pleasure of working with an exceptionally talented team, an inspiring and dedicated Rabbinate, and Trustees and local lay leaders who give so generously of their time and expertise.

 

"We have come a long way since the implementation of the Strategic Review in 2014, but I know too that there is so much more to do! I was therefore overjoyed to learn that Jo Grose had been appointed as the new CEO, together with a very strong senior team. I’ll be helping out over the next few months, but after I leave at the end of April, I look forward to reading You&US, with nachas and affection, to see how we are ‘helping more Jews to do more Jewish things more of the time’!"

This Shabbat is US Women’s Shabbat and we wish all our communities well with their programmes. Sunday night and Monday night is Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for trees and we have lots of content on our website. Why not buy a tree to celebrate in our special Jewish forest? Click here to get one!

 

Shabbat shalom and Tu B'Shevat sameach,

 

Jo Grose

Chief Executive

United Synagogue

 

Plant a tree for Tu Bishvat!

With Tu Bishvat coming up this Sunday evening, we invite you to contribute to the first United Synagogue forest in the UK, in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

Buy a tree today to celebrate a simcha, remember a loved one, or simply play your part in this historic project. For more info and to buy a tree, please click here.

Sharon Feldman-Vazan z'l

We were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend Sharon Feldman-Vazan z'l who had been bravely fighting a serious illness for some time. Sharon worked with KLBD for a decade, enabling companies to receive kosher certification including big names like Love Corn, Slush Puppie and Doves Farm. Click on the link to read our short tribute.

WATCH NOW

How the Holocaust Began

Rabbi Nicky Liss, Senior Rabbi of Highgate United Synagogue and advisor to the Imperial War Museum, helped the BBC with the making of its recent powerful documentary, "How the Holocaust Began". Click the link to watch it.

KLBD

KLBD Recipe of the Month

KLBD's recipe of the month is Mango Glazed Roasted Vegetables made with Geeta's Sweet & Spicy Mango Sauce, which is certified KLBD Parev, no logo. The recipe is taken from the new KLBD-2 Cookbook, which is available here. Find the full recipe by clicking the link below.

KLBD

Bett'r Nut Butter Cups

Today's KLBD product of the week is Smart Organic Bett'r Nut Butter Cups. Try these vegan, gluten free and organic Nut Butter Cups which are KLBD kosher certified Parev, no logo. Available from Abel & Cole and smartorganic.com.

The Chief Rabbi explains the significance of giving more respect to parents and grandparents in this week's D'var Torah. To read a transcript of this and all of the Chief Rabbi's Divrei Torah, click here.

 

United Synagogue educator Laurie Reznik explores a connection between the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the crossing of the Red Sea in this week's sedra. Click here to read her D'var Torah in this week's Jewish News.

 

Cranbrook United's Rabbi Steven Dansky contiues his journey through the Book of Shemot with his new English translation. Click here to read his blog.

UNITED SYNAGOGUE SHEFFIELD

Hospital fundraising service

The Sheffield community once again opened its doors to the annual hospital fund raising service which has been a long established tradition for more than 130 years. Read more about it by clicking the link below.

FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Daily Minyanim

Join Kinloss for their daily Minyanim, with some of them followed by a shiur and breakfast. The full schedule with timings can be found by clicking the link below. There is also an opportunity to sponsor breakfast.

RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Holocaust Memorial Day service

Richmond United Synagogue recently held their annual Civic service with 200 people in attendance, to hear the experiences of 92-year-old survivor Manfred Goldberg BEM. Read more about it by clicking the link below.

CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

A study of Yiddish literature

Join Central for a fascinating 4-week course led by historian and 'Yiddishist', Dr William Pimlott. Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30pm, starting on 7 February. Book your place on the course by clicking here.

 COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

Hamantaschen baking

Members of Cockfosters & N Southgate recently baked 600 hamantaschen for the Mishloach Manot boxes which are sent out to members of the community and charity partners by US Chesed!

WHAT'S ON?

Online events

We've got lots of great events taking place online and in person! See what events are happening in our communities every week by checking out the United Synagogue events portal.

BOARD OF DEPUTIES

Community Briefing

Read the Board's latest community briefing.

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