London: 16:23 Birmingham: 16:24 Sheffield: 16:19 Southport: 16:23 Jerusalem: 16:11 London: 17:24 Birmingham: 17:29 Sheffield: 17:29 Southport: 17:35 Jerusalem: 17:27 Kristallnacht was no random act of violence. It was a pre-planned event, organised with Nazi precision which involved the recruitment of ordinary citizens, mothers and fathers. This was the night when the Third Reich transformed a civilised, educated nation into murderous thugs.
To mark the anniversary, we have partnered with the National Holocaust Centre & Museum to explore the events of Kristallnacht and why it was a turning point, with live guests including two Holocaust survivors, photographs and artefacts from the museum’s collections. The event is free, but donations are very welcome to support Holoaust education. Please put the date in your diaries: Sunday 8 November, 8pm, live on TheUS.tv and available on-demand afterwards. Watch via www.theus.tv/kristallnacht
Leave the lights on
On November 9-10, 1938, the Nazis attacked every shul in Germany and
TONIGHT: an evening of learning and davening for Rabbi Lord Sacks
Tonight we are running an evening of learning and davening for Rabbi Sacks who is unwell. We pray that God grants him a refuah sheleimah, a full and speedy recovery. We are honoured that speakers include the Chief Rabbi, Dayan Binstock, Sivan Rahav-Meir and Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski. You can watch live on TheUS.tv from 7.30pm this evening via www.theus.tv/rabbi-sacks.
EHRC report: the Chief Rabbi responds
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today found the Labour Party committed "unlawful acts of discrimination and harassment". Its investigation into antisemitism is, in the words of the Chief Rabbi, "a historic nadir for the Labour Party". Read the Chief Rabbi's response here.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber Communications Director United Synagogue The Bereishit Conference 2020 The Bereishit Conference 2020 will be taking place online this year, from 27th-30th December. Happy 106th birthday! We would like to wish Mr Louis Martin, who turned 106 yesterday, a very happy birthday. Mr Martin and his wife Edna are both members of Hendon United Synagogue. He has had many great achievements throughout his life, including being a Normandy veteran and a recipient of the 'Légion d'honneur' from the French government. Though Mr Martin is not able to celebrate with his usual birthday Kiddush due to the government restrictions, we wish him a fantastic day and year ahead. KASHRUT ALERTS KLBD is now on WhatsApp! KLBD news and alerts are now available on WhatsApp! Receive Kashrut alerts via WhatsApp, as well as news of the latest certified products and special offers via status updates. To join, just open the link below on your phone or add KLBD News & Alerts to your contacts ( +44 20 8343 6333) and WhatsApp them saying 'Please add me.' NEW SERIES Book of Bereishit Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for a new video series as he explores the Book of Bereishit. This week's video is titled 'We are who we are because of the choices Avraham made!', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below. THE US ELECTION Red, White, Blue and Jew As the votes are cast and counted in one of the most important American elections in decades, come and learn more about its impact on American Jewry and on the relationship between the United States, Israel and the wider Middle East. Watch on Tuesday 3 November at 8pm. NEW SERIES Bereishit Bites Join Borehamwood & Elstree’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn for a brand new series as he cooks his way through the parasha of Bereishit! Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try. This week is Bread (Without Butter) Pudding - watch it by clicking the link below. WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY Outreach marketing volunteer needed Help Willesden Jewish Cemetery reach new audiences! Willesden Jewish Cemetery has recently opened to the public and want to maintain and build interest to bring in a greater number of visitors. To find out more about the role click the link below. Click the play button to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi. BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE Thank you card from Lord-Lieutenant Birmingham Central received a thank you card from Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE. The message conveyed appreciation for their contribution to the County, and “innovation, collaboration, humanity and selfless service shown during the pandemic.” COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE CLC presents: Antony Grossman Antony Grossman has been appointed chair of Jewish Book Week and has in recent years been a trustee of Jewish Care and a trustee of the former parent body of the Jewish Chronicle. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (3 November), 11am. STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE The Stanmore Academy The Stanmore Academy is back, with keynotes from MI6’s former head Sir Richard Dearlove, Mossad’s Danny Limor and Mitch Winehouse, and Jewish sessions from Ilana Epstein, Joel Kaye and Rabbi Yehuda Pink. Read more about it by clicking on the link below. HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB SYNAGOGUE The Aleph Centre Hampstead Garden Suburb's Cheder, The Aleph Centre, welcomed its pupils back for the first time since March as it began the new term on Sunday 18 October. Whilst following social distancing guidelines, pupils enjoyed a fun-filled morning of Jewish activities and games.
Welcome to 'Tell US', our new section where we invite you to contribute a joke, a poem or a story. We look forward to turning the spotlight on your literary creations over the coming weeks and months!
This week's contribution is by Richard Marcus, Head of Campaigns at the United Synagogue.
Harry and Betty were fulfilling a lifetime dream to sail around the world. The trip was perfect until a tropical storm in the South Sea Islands. After battling 50-foot waves, the boat finally capsized and the waves carried Harry and Betty away into the night.
The next morning they woke to find themselves on a small desert island. They spent the morning walking the whole length of the island to see if it was inhabited, but they were alone. Betty’s shoulders slumped and she began to cry that they would never be found. Harry needed to act. He thought for a moment, and asked Betty a strange question.
"Betty, did you fulfil our Kol Nidre Appeal pledge before we left?"
Betty looked perplexed. "Why are you asking me about the Kol Nidre Appeal when our lives are in the balance?"
Harry repeated the question. "Betty, did you fulfil our Kol Nidre Appeal pledge before we left?"
Betty screamed, "WHO CARES ABOUT THE KOL NIDRE APPEAL AT A TIME LIKE THIS? AND IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, NO I DID NOT."
Harry looked calmly at Betty and said, "Brilliant, no need to worry then - they'll keep looking for us until we’ve donated."
(You can still donate to the Kol Nidre Appeal by clicking here.)
Please send your submissions to youandus@theus.org.uk.
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