London: 16:55

Birmingham: 16:56

Sheffield: 16:53

Southport: 16:58

Jerusalem: 16:43

London: 18:00

Birmingham: 18:05

Sheffield: 18:07

Southport: 18:13

Jerusalem: 18:01

Today we are delighted to launch The United Synagogue in your pocket! Join our brand new WhatsApp group right now to receive regular short Jewish thoughts and inspiring insights straight to your phone! Ahead of the upcoming festival of Purim, we’ll be kicking off on Monday with a series of thoughts on the Megillah with our Director of Education, Rabbi Michael Laitner.

You can join by clicking this link from your device or open WhatsApp and use the camera to scan this code:

Please note, as with all WhatsApp groups, your phone number may be visible to other group members.

Visiting loved ones in hospital

With hospitals closed to visitors you may have a loved one you can't see. At this very difficult time, Jewish chaplains are still in contact with patients, sometimes virtually and sometimes in person. This is a service coordinated by the United Synagogue on behalf of the whole community.

If you know of someone who would like them to get in touch, please phone our Coronavirus helpline on 020 8343 5696 (Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm and Fridays 9am-1pm). At other times or in the case of urgent calls, please phone our Senior Hospital Chaplain, Rabbi Stanley Coten, on 07776 516 027. He will either respond directly himself or contact one of our team of Jewish chaplains to help.

We are deeply appreciative of the selfless and dedicated work that Rabbi Coten, along with all of our chaplains, are carrying out, especially as part of the broader NHS Chaplaincy teams.

Shabbat shalom,

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

Purim in a Box

More than 100 Purim boxes have already been ordered but there's still time to get yours! The box will contain all you need to prepare your very own festive breakfast Purim Seudah (meal) on Friday 26th February. The boxes can also be gifted to US Chesed to fulfil the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot (giving edible gifts), and you will be able to donate online to fulfil the mitzvah of Matanot Laevyonim (charity to help people in need). To place your order, please click the link below.

Women's Hallel: Live

Join Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson, Community Rebbetzen of Golders Green Synagogue, and Rebbetzen Freda Kaplan, United Synagogue Educator in Israel, for Women's Hallel: Live, to mark Rosh Chodesh - the new Jewish month of Adar which begins this evening. Hallel will take place tomorrow (Friday 12 February) at 8am, live on Zoom and on the United Synagogue Facebook page. Please note that the service is for women only.

WATCH NOW

Looking Back to Look Forward

Lord Young has had a truly remarkable career in business, government and charity. Margaret Thatcher famously said of him: “Other Ministers bring me problems, David brings me solutions.” South Hampstead's Rabbi Shlomo Levin explores some of the issues Lord Young has dealt with and how what he learnt then might offer pointers to a post-corona Britain.

PURIM

Purim 2021 live online

On Thursday 25 and Friday 26 February join us for a fabulous feast of Purim events online including a variety of live Megillah readings, a Tribe Purim Adventure, cocktail making for Young Professionals, and more. The full list of programmes and where to watch them can be found by clicking the link below.

WATCH NOW

Shemot Snacks

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

havdallah for children 6.15pm on Saturday

WATCH NOW

Lunch & Learn

Want to appreciate the deeper meaning of the weekly Torah portion? Looking for a nice Dvar Torah to share at the Shabbat table? Catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, who delved into this week's Parasha, Mishpatim. Watch via the link below.

WATCH NOW

The Book of Shemot

Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for his series exploring the Book of Shemot. This week's talk is titled 'Vision and Details', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.

NER TAMID PROJECT

Daily digital davening

Sadly, with many of our shuls closed due to rising infection rates, we've stepped in once again to organise daily prayer services. We will endeavour to broadcast prayers on our Facebook page three times a day (other than Shabbat) led by Rabbis from across our communities.

Coming back to shul: for what reason? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.

And click here to read a D'var Torah from Rebbetzen Emma Taylor, Community Rebbetzen and Educator at Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue, as well as an article by Rebbetzen Tanya Garber, Rebbetzen of Shenley United Jewish Community, which looks at what the Torah says about Captain Sir Thomas Moore.

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

MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

More than meets the eye

Join Mill Hill as they hear from Oren Blitzblau, who lost sight in both his eyes following an injury, and will be speaking about how he adapted to a new reality and went on to become the fastest blind Iron Man in the world. Tonight at 8pm, live on Zoom.

RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Fitness and Mindfulness

Join Richmond for a talk by Justine Hales from Body Confidence Coach, who will be speaking about Women's Wellness. This presentation is specifically aimed at woman who are 30+ and are looking for ways to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Tuesday 16 February at 8:30 pm.

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Happy Havdalah

South Hampstead Cheder invites all children to join a musical Havdalah and story with Rabbi Eli, Rebbetzen Lauren and the Levin family. This Saturday night (13 February) at 6.15pm, live on the Tribe Facebook page.

STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Matmid Programme

Join Stanmore for The Matmid Programme, which offers text-based learning with Rabbi Daniel Fine. The next unit, on Kashrut, which starts next week comprises three online shiurim before joining with other communities for a closing shiur by one of the Dayanim of the London Beth Din. Please email Rabbi Daniel Fine by clicking the link below

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Graham Cannon

Join Kenton as they hear from former Kenton resident and CMO for the UJA of New York Graham Cannon, for his talk titled 'Special Relationships - 30 Years a Yank'. Monday 15 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Muswell Hill presents: Keren David

Join Muswell Hill as they hear from Young Adult author Keren David, in conversation with journalist Nicole Lampert. Keren will be discussing the anti-Semitic challenges being faced today, and her book 'What We're Scared Of'. Sunday 14 February at 8pm, live on Zoom. To request the link, please click here.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

CLC presents: John Ashmele

After a long and successful career as a freelance Information Systems Consultant, John Ashmele now enjoys offering his services as a professional toastmaster, and will be talking about the history and the training required to become a Toastmaster. Tuesday 16 February at 11am.

WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Jewish Impact Series

Join Woodside Park for their new series as they hear from different inspirational people who have all made a Jewish impact and who will be talking about how they have made a difference. Mondays at 8pm, on the Woodside Park Synagogue YouTube and Facebook pages.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: Cllr Caroline Stock

Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Cllr Caroline Stock, Mayor of Barnet. Caroline was elected onto Barnet Council in 2014 and has taken a special interest in Children and Health. Wednesday 17 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Sir Nigel Sheinwald GCMG

Join Kenton as they welcome Sir Nigel Sheinwald, a former British diplomat. His talk will be titled 'From Gayton Road to Pennsylvania Avenue: reflections on a diplomatic career
and Britain's future place in the world’. Tonight at 8pm, live on Zoom.

EALING UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Arts & Crafts group

Join The Ealing Synagogue Drawing Group as they open their doors to different arts and crafts, such as painting, sculpture, pottery, textiles, and mixed-media. Any standard welcome. Find out more by clicking the link below.

ST ALBANS UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

St Albans United Synagogue recently heard from Peter Hennessey, a volunteer for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, who spoke on Zoom about the life-saving work that the charity undertakes seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Read more about it by clicking the link below.

SHENLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Professor Emile Schrijver

Join Shenley as they hear from Professor Emile Schrijver, General Director of the Jewish Historical Museum and the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam. His talk will be titled 'The history of the Jewish community and culture in Amsterdam'. Monday 15 February at 7.30pm, live on Zoom.

EALING UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Just Desserts

Join Ealing for what will be the first of their series of Zoom events in which they share music and talk with members of the community. Bring your own dessert and listen to Marian & Edward Cohen in discussion with Michael Mars. Sunday 21 February at 2.30pm.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Young Survivors

Join Edgware as they hear from Debra Barnes, author of 'The Young Survivors', a book inspired by the poignant, true story of her mother during the Holocaust. Tuesday 16 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.

RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Richmond's range of online events

Richmond Jewish Community Hub has started 2021 with a great range of online events, including an uplifting Klezmer Concert, a virtual Holocaust Memorial Day programme, and Tu B'Shevat Science Lab for children and their families. Read more by clicking the link below.

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.