London: 21:02
Birmingham: 20:00
Sheffield: 21:13
Jerusalem: 19:07
London: 22:18
Birmingham: 22:32
Sheffield: 22:48
Jerusalem: 20:36
This Tuesday, the United Synagogue will turn 150 years young.
On July 14, 1870, the United Synagogue was founded through an Act of Parliament. Earlier that year, five Ashkenazi shuls in London decided that they were stronger together. The Great, The Hambro, The New, Central and Bayswater all joined forces to become the United Synagogue. Instead of duplicating resources, they worked together for the good of the community. This was a revolutionary idea and it still guides our thinking today.
The Chief Rabbi has shared this message with You&US readers to mark our anniversary:
The importance of the number 150 in Jewish tradition is rooted in the fact that there are 150 chapters in the Book of Psalms.
Our Psalms, which, for thousands of years, have provided us with support and inspiration for the vicissitudes of life, are bookended by two significant verses. Psalm 1 commences with the words “Happy is the person...” and goes on to provide the keys for joy and meaning in life: “When you delight in the Torah of Hashem and meditate in words of Torah day and night”. Psalm 150 concludes with words we are familiar with from our daily prayers: “Let every soul praise Hashem. Praise be Hashem!” What begins as an aspiration to delight in the study and practice of Torah, ends in enthusiastic praise of the Almighty.
150 years ago, my illustrious predecessor, Chief Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler, presided over the formation of the United Synagogue, mandated by an Act of Parliament. This ambitious project started out with the aspiration to build a family of communities which would “delight in the Torah of Hashem” and serve as a beacon of light and inspiration throughout the British Empire.
What subsequently unfolded has been extraordinary. Countless lives have been uplifted and enhanced and the United Synagogue continues to stand proudly as a bastion of Jewish tradition and observance, which serves as a model of communal excellence throughout the Jewish world. The collective efforts of so many outstanding spiritual and lay leaders over the course the last 150 years, have not only delivered upon the aspiration to “delight in the Torah of Hashem” but have also delivered on our collective mission: “Let every soul praise Hashem. Praise be Hashem!” Today, the United Synagogue produces a truly outstanding ‘Kiddush Hashem’ – a sanctification of the name of the Almighty, within the United Kingdom and well beyond.
The Talmud teaches that you can only know where you are going to if you understand where you have come from. Our celebration of the past facilitates our success in the present and the future. This brings us to the very essence of our celebration of 150 years of the United Synagogue. We have a remarkable history to proudly look back upon, but we are celebrating all the more because of what the US accomplishes today and because of what we know it will accomplish in the future.
I am privileged to see so many of our communities transforming themselves from houses of prayer into powerhouses of Jewish religious, social, educational and cultural excellence. And, against the odds, we have reached even greater heights during the dramatic upheavals of the Coronavirus period.
150 years young, the United Synagogue continues to be a major and vital force in British Jewish communal and religious life.
As we engage in our thanksgiving to Hashem for the last 150 years, we know that, please God, the best is yet to come.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
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We've got a range of online events to mark our 150th anniversary - take your pick from a special Kabbalat Shabbat service tomorrow, a lecture on our origins on Sunday and a community event with Lord Levy on Tuesday. You can also download a commemorative edition of our Daf Hashavua - it's well worth a read.
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A number of our shuls resumed services this week and we were pleased to hear that they went so well. Mazal tov to the Bar Mitzvah boys who were able to be called up as a result. Finally, we wish hatzlacha to all our communities running their first Friday night and Shabbat morning services this weekend.
Shabbat shalom and Happy anniversary!
Richard Verber
Communications Director, United Synagogue
P.S. the Fast of the 17 Tammuz ends tonight at 22:14.
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Zoom around the world
New West End are taking us on a guided Jewish tour of five cities around the world, starting with Rome this Sunday (12 July), 4pm. Book now for what promises to be a great series, including tours of Florence, Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Warsaw, live on Zoom.
Overcoming adversity
Woodside Park United Synagogue hosted a remarkable speaker last night for the last in their series of seminars on mental health and wellbeing. Simon Weston CBE, a Falklands war hero and inspirational speaker, spoke candidly and with great humour about the challenge he has faced and how he overcame adversity. It is well worth a watch when you next have a free hour.
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.
WATCH AGAIN
A Jewsical Journey
New West End singer Marc Joseph's evening of musical theatre was not to be missed, but in case you did you can watch it by clicking the link below. Marc explored his journey from showbiz to becoming a Chazan at the New West End Synagogue.
WATCH AGAIN
A judge's journey
Catch up on a fascinating evening with Lord John Dyson, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Master of the Rolls and one of the leading lawyers of his generation. He joined Pinner United Synagogue last night for a wide-ranging conversation on his life.
THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT!
Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue
welcomes you tomorrow!
This Friday at 7:00pm, join Rabbi Baruch and Rebbetzen Nechama Davis with Rabbi Rafi Goodwin and Rafi Sandford for an inspiring Kabbalat Shabbat service, with special messages from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and US President Michael Goldstein in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the US! Watch live on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
PINNER UNITED SYNAGOGUE MEMBER TURNS 100
Mazal tov, Renee Binstock!
Everyone at the United Synagogue wishes Renee a hearty mazal tov on her very special 100th birthday. Renee had planned to be in shul on Shabbat with her friends and family including children from Israel to celebrate with a big kiddush. We're collecting mazal tov wishes for her - click on 'More' below to send one!
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!
US IN THE CITY
A light unto the nations?
Join Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch for the latest in our US in the City series of talks. He'll be discussing what it means to be 'a light unto the nations'. The talk will take place next Wednesday (15 July), at 12.30pm on Zoom. All welcome.
JEWISH SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS
Certificate of Religious Practice update
One of the elements of the Admissions process for many Jewish schools is the operation of the criteria set out in Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP). Given that shuls are closed due to COVID-19, the criteria will be changed. Please read and share the short update in the link below.
THIS WEEK'S HUMAN OF THE US
Meet Sandie Deitsch
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.
HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Where are we now?
Hampstead Synagogue’s fascinating series, 'Where are we now' continues next week, when they will be joined by our President, Michael Goldstein, to discuss how the virus is impacting on the community. Thursday 16 July at 8pm, live on our Facebook page.
ALEI TZION UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Love in Lockdown
Join Alei Tzion for a discussion with Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson and Maayan Raisel Freedman on how living in quarantine has affected our relationships from both a psychological and halachic perspective. For women only. This Sunday (12 July), live on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 838 6686 9701 Password: Alei)
SHENLEY UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITY
Behind bars
Keith Simons MBE is Chair of the Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service. He will talk about his role supporting Jewish prionsers as a Prison Chaplain, and explain how prisons work. This Monday (13 July) at 7.30pm live on Zoom.
(Meeting ID: 818 2373 1554 Password: SUJC)
LUTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Luton presents: Dr Sheila Gewolb DL
Join Luton to hear from Dr Sheila Gewolb DL, Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies, as she discusses 'Community Matters - The Heart of the Board.' This Sunday (12 July), live on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 945 7993 5427 Password: 6135780)
COCKFOSTERS AND N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: Paul Charney
Paul Charney is chairman of the Zionist Federation UK and Ireland, Technion UK, and Mill Hill Synagogue. He represents the ZF and Israel supporters on TV radio lectures and debates across the country. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (14 July), 11am.
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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