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Thursday 7 December, 2023

Happy Chanukah! Chanukah starts this evening. Do check out our many Chanukah events below - such as our Chevra ice skating for non-marrieds over 30, our Young US Fireside chat for people aged 21-32 and another musical Hallel for women.

 

Tribe are running programmes throughout Chanukah in local communities, Cheders and schools and will be engaging more than 1,500 children over the next two weeks. We will also be supplying over 4,000 Tribe doughnuts for community youth Chanukah parties and school events!

 

Just like a doughnut, our communities are jam-packed with events too - do check out what's going on near you by clicking here.

 

If you need a refresher on how to light the Chanukah candles we've got videos on our website and a short walkthrough of the fesitval here. There are some in depth articles to enjoy while the candles burn, which you can find here.

 

And over on TheUS.tv, you can watch classes we've made over the last few years looking at why Chanukah lasts eight days, why your menorah is the shape it is and the She/Her Chanukah Story. Click here to watch.

 

The United Synagogue at Limmud

 

This year United Synagogue educators are teaching a whopping 30 sessions at Limmud Festival and we warmly invite you to come along to them.

 

Mill Hill East Jewish Community's Rabbi Jack Cohen is running a session for teenagers called 'Ask the rabbi' where he invites young people to have some open and honest conversations with an Orthodox rabbi. Given rising antisemitism, he'll also be teaching adults how the Torah can help us get to grips with it.

 

Belmont's Rabbi Sam Millunchick will be asking if the Torah is moral and what it means to be a halachic minimalist, and in two sessions on medicine and halacha (Jewish law) he'll be looking at birth control, fertility treatments and Jewish approaches to end-of-life care.

 

Rabbi Sam Fromson, Golders Green's Community Rabbi, is also a co-founder of a startup so he will be sharing entrepreneurial lessons in rabbinic ethics as well as offering an ambitious complete blueprint of Jewish learning in 45 minutes. You can join his Halacha hotseat too as he invites you to be the judge in real family dilemmas.

 

Golders Green's Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson will be teaching the untold lives of Judaism's seven prophetesses as well as exploring Jewish wisdom on intimacy and love. Together with Rabbi Sam, she will also give a marriage masterclass using divine and psychological insights for a lasting relationship.

 

Ben Vos, our Head of Community Development, will explore the difference between a cinema and a shul (it's not as obvious as you might think!), how he created a Jewish walking tour of London and his passion for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

 

Our Head of Envrionmental Policy, Naomi Verber, will be sharing the successes of our Dorot programme launched with the Chief Rabbi to reduce our environmental impact. Having renovated her shul, she'll also be giving tips on how you could do the same.

 

And if you've got nothing else on, I'll be teaching you how to curse a witch (broomsticks not provided).

 

We wish mazal tov to Ealing's Rabbi Hershi and Rebbetzen Zelda Vogel who are celebrating 25 years leading the community on Sunday, and to Mill Hill's Rabbi Yitzchak and Rebbetzen Chanie Schochet who are celebrating 30 years of service on Shabbat with the Chief Rabbi. Thank you for your dedication.

 

Shabbat shalom and Chanukah sameach!

 

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

Headlines
Recalling October 7th, Two Months On

Recalling October 7th, Two Months On 

Join Young US for a Chanukah Fireside Chat as they hear from David Barr, a survivor of Kibbutz Allumim, and with Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, a father of 2 soldiers, as they talk through 7th October massacre two months on.

This is a free event with doughnuts and hot drinks, for ages 21-32.

This event will be taking place tonight at 8pm, in a NW London location. Sign up now by clicking here.

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Chevra Chanukah

Chevra Chanukah

This Chanukah, join Chevra for a night on the ice, musical candle lighting and interesting discussion with Rabbi Finn, followed by flavours of Chanukah! Enjoy a bread board spread, flavoured olive oils and more. Ice skating is optional at 7pm at the JW3 Ice Rink and discount code will be provided after registration. The event will begin at 8pm at JW3.

Chevra is for those who are not married aged 30+. Please email Chevra@theus.org.uk for more information.

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Kabbalat Shabbat at 1:30pm

YOUNG US

Chanukah escape room

Join Young US and St John's Wood for an evening of artisanal doughnuts, an uplifting candle lighting, and some game face as we eat, drink, sit by candlelight and solve escape room puzzles! Sunday 10 December at 8pm. Book your place by clicking here.

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Chanukah escape room
Women's Musical Hallel for Chanukah

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Women's Musical Hallel for Chanukah

Join Rebbetzen Lauren Levin and musician Hadassa Kessler for a musical Hallel to celebrate the festival of Chanukah. Sunday 10 December, 9:30-10:15am. Tickets are free but booking is essential for security purposes. Book now by clicking here.

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CHESED

Supporting asylum seekers

Our Asylum Seeker Drop-in Centre is re-starting on Sunday 17 December at Hendon Synagogue. We are looking for volunteers to make it happen. If you would like to help to cook nutritious hot meals, distribute much needed items or provide legal or medical aid, please contact Hannah.

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Supporting asylum seekers
Hidden Treasures conference

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Hidden Treasures conference

The United Synagogue attended the Rothschild Hanadiv's Hidden Treasures conference, where Miriam Marson led a hands on session on understanding Jewish life in archives, emphasizing the centrality of synagogues, festivals, and communal life. Read more about it by clicking the link below.

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KLBD

Salted peanut dark chocolate blondies

The KLBD Recipe of the Month for December is salted peanut dark chocolate blondies made with The Dormen Salted Peanuts which are certified KLBD Parev, no logo. You can find the full recipe by clicking here. Recipe taken from the KLBD-2 Cookbook.

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Salted peanut dark chocolate blondies
Buying doughnuts this Chanukah?

KLBD

Buying doughnuts this Chanukah?

Are you planning on buying doughnuts for Chanukah this year? There are so many great KLBD bakeries to choose from! You can find a full list by clicking on the link below. More information can be found by clicking here.

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KLBD

Pesach 2024 in Brighton

Why not spend Pesach in Brighton? A perfect UK getaway for observing Pesach while enjoying a relaxing and unforgettable seaside trip, for all the family. With an on-site restaurant for a fully catered kosher holiday, plus 24/7 security and outstanding accommodation. Find out more by clicking the link below.

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Pesach 2024 in Brighton
Blunt Konjac Noodles

KLBD

Blunt Konjac Noodles

This week's KLBD product of the week is Blunt Konjac Noodles, which are now KLBD kosher certified Parev, with logo. Available from kosher shops.

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Jobs available click here
A D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi

The Chief Rabbi was on Radio 4 this morning giving his Thought for the Day on Chanukah. Click here to read a transcript.

Tribe's Head of Education, Batsheva Wolf, explores this week's sedra and what's going on in Israel through the prism of the minority vs the majority. Click here to read it.

for more Torah content, click here to read out Daf Hashavua
Spotlight on our communities
Upcoming community events
Chanukah Party

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

Chanukah Party

Join Cockfosters & N Southgate for their Chanukah party on Tuesday 12 December at 10.45am, with one of the choirs from Wolfson Hillel Primary School as well as special guest Lilian Cordell, who will talk about her book 'Miriam's Table'.

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ST JOHN'S WOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Chanukah Musical Havdalah

Join St John's Wood Synagogue for a Chanukah Musical Havdalah and Menorah Lighting with Chazan Avreimi Kirschenbaum and IDF soldiers. Motzaei Shabbat 9 December at 5:30pm. Book your place by clicking here.

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Chanukah Musical Havdalah
A Shabbat of Song

WOODFORD FOREST UNITED SYNAGOGUE

A Shabbat of Song

Join Woodford Forest for a Shabbat of Song with Chazan Jonny Turgel on Shabbat 12-13 January 2024. The Shabbat will also include a post-Shabbat Melave Malka. Book your place by clicking here.

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NEW WEST END UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Mosaic Voices

Join New West End's Mosaic Voices for a concert, where Benjamin Till will premiere his new work, 'TIME'. The concert will take place on Sunday 14 January in New West End Synagogue. Book your ticket by clicking here.

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Mosaic Voices
Jake Wallis Simons

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Jake Wallis Simons

Join Hendon for an evening of lively discussion between Jake Wallis Simons, Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, and Rabbi Jonathan Hughes. They will be discussing Jake's book titled 'Israelophobia'. Monday 18 December at 8pm.

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RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Loud Chanukah Party

Join Richmond for an exciting and magical Chanukah, with a Junk Orchestra workshop for all ages. Enjoy candlelighting, doughnuts and a spectacular firework display! Sunday 10 December at 5:30pm. Book your place by clicking here.

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Loud Chanukah Party
Global Women's Hallel

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Global Women's Hallel

Join Edgware for their Global Women's Hallel for Chanukah, bringing women together from across the world. The service will open with a Dvar Torah and Tehillim readings, and will take place on Sunday 10 December at 3pm on Zoom. Zoom details can be found by clicking the link below.

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NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Organ Donation and Jewish Law

Join Northwood as they hear from Rabbi Yehuda Pink MSc and Dr Robin Kantor, who will be discussing Organ Donation and Jewish Law: the facts and the myths. Sunday 17 December at 7pm.

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Organ Donation and Jewish Law
Chanukah magic

POTTERS BAR & BROOKMANS PARK SYNAGOGUE

Chanukah magic

Join Potters Bar & Brookmans Park Synagogue for a magic cabaret and Chanukah-based tricks, plus a raffle, tea, and doughnuts. Sunday 10 December, 3-5pm. Book your tickets by clicking here.

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COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

Medical Ethics and Modern Progress

Join Cockfosters & N Southgate as they hear from Rabbi Akiva Tatz for his talk titled 'Medical Ethics and Modern Progress'. He will discuss how traditional Judaism responds to contemporary medical dilemmas at odds with Halacha. Monday 18 December at 8pm. Book your place here.

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Medical Ethics and Modern Progress
Shul for the mind

FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Shul for the mind

Shul for the mind is a unique prayer service for people living with dementia and their family carers. The next service is on Sunday (10 December) at 11am. It is followed by a great kiddush! Professional carers are welcome too.

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Community news

MILL HILL EAST JEWISH COMMUNITY

Yoetzet Halacha

Mill Hill East Jewish Community (MHEJC) recently appointed Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson as their Yoetzet Halacha (expert on Jewish laws relating to marriage). You can read more about it by clicking the link below.

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Yoetzet Halacha
The Board of Deputies

BOARD OF DEPUTIES

Community Briefing

Read the Board's latest community briefing.

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WHAT'S ON?

Check out all our 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 our events portal.

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events
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