London: 20:55
Birmingham: 20:00
Sheffield: 21:06
Jerusalem: 19:04
London: 22:09
Birmingham: 22:22
Sheffield: 22:36
Jerusalem: 20:34
On Tuesday the United Synagogue turned 150 years young. To mark the anniversary, today we are thrilled to launch our new TV station: TheUS.tv.
As the world has learned to adapt to these unusual times, the United Synagogue and our communities were thrown a new and unexpected challenge – how to engage our members and the wider community without being able to congregate.
We turned to the world of livestreaming to replace talks, events, and services which would usually all be held in person, and it has been astonishing to see the success of these livestreams grow.
Tens of thousands of people have viewed our content and watched the broadcasts from our communities. So that got us thinking: how could we take our thriving online presence to the next level?
And that brings us to TheUS.tv. Our new on-demand channel will be home to our videos and livestreams and will showcase great content from our communities. You'll be able to watch the popular Kabbalat Shabbat Live services, entertaining events, Lunch & Learns and high profile speakers.
Whilst the catalyst for this project was the coronavirus crisis, the long-term vision we'd already put in place was to create an enduring shift in the way that the United Synagogue presents content and engages with its members and communities and the wider Jewish community.
What better week than the one we celebrate our 150th anniversary to launch a product that represents our future and potential to reach out to our members in ways our founders could never have imagined?
And speaking of our anniversary, to commemorate the occasion, we've put together a lovely short booklet which you can download for free by clicking here.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber
Communications Director, United Synagogue
COVID-19 survey of UK Jews
All United Synagogue members are encouraged to participate in this important Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) survey. It asks how the pandemic has affected British Jews and is designed to help Jewish organisations manage the crisis. Please click below to take part as soon as you can.
Meet our communities!
On Tuesday the United Synagogue turned 150 years young! To celebrate our 150th anniversary, we've been to visit our communities to showcase who we are. Check out this lovely short video we've made - can you spot your community? Happy anniversary to all our communities!
WATCH AGAIN
A time to act
Catch up on a compelling panel discussion between Nigel Savage, President and CEO of Hazon; Talia Chain, Founder and CEO of Sadeh Farm; and Steven Wilson, Chief Executive of the United Synagogue, as they discussed environmental sustainability and Golders Green United Synagogue.
WATCH AGAIN
The origins of the United Synagogue
Chigwell & Hainault was joined last week by Elkan Levy, former president of the US, for 'The Origins of the United Synagogue'. In celebration of our 150th anniversary, Elkan shared anecdotes from our early history. Watch again by clicking below.
THE THREE WEEKS
Destruction and renewal
Join South Hampstead, along with JRoots and the United Synagogue, for a brand new three-part series: 'Destruction and Renewal', a visual history of the Jews and Jerusalem. The first session will explore Jewish life on the eve of the Temple's destruction. Wednesday 22 July at 8pm.
THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT!
St John's Wood United and The Saatchi Synagogue welcome you tomorrow!
This Friday at 7pm, join Rabbi Yossi Binstock for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service, with a D'var Torah from Dayan Ivan Binstock. Watch live on our brand new channel, TheUS.tv.
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 the United Synagogue and we listen. The next focus group is on Monday 20 July, when we want to hear views on "How did the US do over lockdown?". The good, the bad and the indifferent. 12 places maximum - please RSVP via the button below.
THIS WEEK'S HUMAN OF THE US
Meet Rev Taylor
Every week we are highlighting the stories of our members past and present to mark our 150th anniversary. Inspired by the Facebook sensation, Humans of New York, meet some of the wonderful people who make up the US.
WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY
Rosalind Franklin day
Join Willesden Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Renaissance for two special Zoom events on Sunday 26 July, celebrating the centenary of the birth of influential scientist Rosalind Franklin. The first, at 3pm will explore the impact of her work on viruses, and the second, at 6pm, will look at her life story.
US IN THE CITY
Finding freedom and serenity
Join Rabbi Jonathan Hughes for the latest in our US in the City series of talks. He'll be discussing how to find freedom and serenity in a 'mad world'. The talk will take place next Thursday (23 July), at 12.30pm on Zoom. All welcome.
TRIBE
Kids' summer plans ruined?
The Coronavirus crisis has sadly put paid to many summer holiday plans but Tribe are on hand with their Summer Staycation 2020 camps for school Years 4, 5 and 6. Camps will be run following strict government guidelines. Bookings are now open!
CEMETERY OPENING TIMES
Tisha B'Av
On Tisha B’Av, Thursday 30 July, the Alderney Road, Brady Street, Lauriston Road, Plashet and West Ham Cemeteries will be open between approximately 11am and 3pm for visitors.
“For a candle is a commandment, and the Torah is light” (Proverbs 6:23)
The Menorah is one of the best-known Jewish objects. While it is most readily associated with Chanukah, the first menorah was built 1,000 years earlier from pure gold for the mishkan, the portable Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40).
It was lit with fresh oil daily, but through a miracle one of the lamps never went out (Shabbat 22b).
There is an echo of this everlasting light (the reason we have a ner tamid in our synagogues) in our verse in Mishlei where King Solomon compares a candle to a commandment, and the Torah to light. As the commentator Rashi (1040-1105) explains, the merit of a commandment is only for a limited time, like the light of a candle, whereas the merit of the Torah lasts forever, just as light always illuminates.
Only pure oil from crushed olives can be used to light the Menorah in the mishkan (Exodus 27:20). Why crushed? Rashi says that only the first drop of each olive was fit to be used.
There is something important about pressure being placed on the olive to produce the oil that will fuel the Divine light of the menorah. Perhaps we too need to feel the pressure sometimes for our best to come out.
The current pandemic has certainly brought the best out of people through countless examples of selfless volunteering. Although we can’t stop bad things happening, we can choose how to react to them. And the light that comes from this is the light that is the most effective to bring God’s Divine light in the world.
Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson is the Community Rebbetzen of Golders Green United Synagogue
PINNER UNITED SYNAGOGUE
The Jews who helped cure Nazis
Join Robert Beiber, MBE, Visiting Research Fellow at King's College, London to hear a remarkable tale of three Jewish army officers who used kindness and care to rehabilitate their former SS enemies. Next Wednesday (22 July), at 8.15pm via Facebook Live.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
We're all doomed?
Join Edgware to hear from Robin Moss, the Director of Strategy at UJIA. This talk will discuss the predictions and visions of the early Zionists, including the prophecies of Herzl, Jabotinsky and more. Live on Zoom next Tuesday (21 July), 8pm. (Meeting ID: 377 543 5988 Password: 101203)
RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Boom! Get confident and get creative
Apparently, Plato said: "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation", so join Richmond online for 90 minutes of live creativity with Dave Bourn, from improv group "Sprout Ideas". Next Wednesday (22 July) at 7.30pm. It's free and all are welcome!
MILL HILL EAST SYNAGOGUE
Do our genes make us Jewish?
Join Mill Hill East as they hear from Professor Alan Silman, an epidemiologist and professor of Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. He will be discussing the genetic makeup of the Jewish people, live on Zoom. Sunday 19 July, 8pm.
BARNET UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Barnet bounces back
Read Paul Lang's article about Barnet's response to the current crisis and the many ways in which they have helped to support their members. This has included food deliveries, Shabbat packs, and online education sessions. Read the full article by clicking the link below.
SOUTH HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Formidable Jewish women
Join South Hampstead as they hear from Dorit Beinisch, the first female President of the Supreme Court of Israel, in conversation with Lord Lawrence Collins, former justice of the UK Supreme Court. This Sunday (19 July), 7pm.
COCKFOSTERS AND N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: Dr Marcos Vital
Now a retired doctor living in Plymouth, Marc was rounded up by the Egyptian authorities and put in prison whilst he was a medical student in Egypt in the 1950s. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (21 July), 11am.
HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Movie night: The Women's Balcony
Technion UK and UK Jewish Film invite you to a screening of the Israeli film 'The Women's Balcony'. Join us on Facebook Live afterwards for an in-depth discussion with HGSS' Rabbanit Batya Friedman, Bushey's Rebbetzen Jacqueline Feldman and the United Synagogue's Jo Grose. Tonight, 8pm.
NEW WEST END UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Adon Olam
New West End are delighted to present this stunning version of Adon Olam, as sung by Marc Joseph and Mosaic Voices. This version is set to the famous tune of "Over the Rainbow, arranged by Benjamin Till and filmed inside their shul.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Edgware US presents: Maureen Lipman
Edgware are back with another Wednesday Night Live, this time featuring actress Maureen Lipman. Maureen has appeared in West End shows, in films, and on TV. Hear her speak live on Zoom tonight at 8pm. (Meeting ID: 867 0567 1231 Password: 077490)
BUSHEY, STANMORE AND BELMONT UNITED
Bringing the Old City to life
Bushey, Belmont and Stanmore invite you to join them for an immersive experience with Rabbi Tzvi Shiloni who will bring the Old City to life. The event is on Wednesday 22 July at 8.15pm. You can watch via Zoom or on Bushey's YouTube channel. Email assistantrabbi@busheyus.org for the Zoom details.
NEW WEST END UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITY
Zoom around the world: Berlin
After a successful first week in Rome, New West End are back for the next leg of their guided Jewish tours of 5 cities around the world, this week in Berlin. This Sunday (19 July) at 4pm, live on Zoom. Book now 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.
BOARD OF DEPUTIES
Community Briefing
Read the Board's latest community briefing.
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