London: 19:15

Birmingham: 19:19

Hull: 19:14

Sheffield: 19:18

Southport: 19:24

Jerusalem: 18:13

London: 20:15

Birmingham: 20:23

Hull: 20:24

Sheffield: 20:27

Southport: 20:34

Jerusalem: 19:28

The UK times listed above are for cities with United Synagogue communities.

You can find details of this week's Torah reading, Maftir and Haftarah in our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here.

Her Majesty the Queen

After we'd finished writing this week's email we learned the sad news that the Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral and that her children and grandchildren are travelling to be by her side. On behalf of everyone at the United Synagogue, we pray for a refuah sheleimah, a full and speedy recovery for Her Majesty the Queen. We are thinking too of her family. The Chief Rabbi said earlier, "Her Majesty The Queen is very much in my prayers today and I know that Jewish communities around the Commonwealth will join me in wishing her a full and swift recovery."

Thursday 8 September, 2022

One of my favourite childhood memories is the midnight feast. That magical time, when in the dead of night (in reality, probably about nine o'clock in the evening!) you and your friend during a sleepover were allowed some biscuits or chocolate.

Next week you are invited to a more grown-up midnight feast as we look forward to this year's Midnight Selichot taking place across our communities. Special selichot prayers are recited daily in the run up to Rosh Hashanah and then onwards to Yom Kippur. There is a tradition first night of selichot (taking place this year after Shabbat on September 17, or on Sunday morning, September 18) to be marked in a special way, with singing and an address. As well as this feast for the soul, some communities provide refreshments as a feast for the body too.

This year we're going to be broadcasting the service live from Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue on TheUS.tv starting at 11.30pm which you can watch here.

There are in-person Midnight Selichot at Borehamwood, Hampstead, Hendon, Magen Avot, South Hampstead, St John's Wood and Wembley, with joint programmes being held by Central, New West End and Western Marble Arch, as well as Woodford Forest, Magen Avot, Chigwell, Highams Park and Cranbrook, and also Finchley (Kinloss) and Hampstead Garden Suburb. All are welcome to attend and you don't have to be a member of that shul to join.

High Holy Days on demand

Get yourself in the mood for Rosh Hashanah by browsing our great range of online programmes on TheUS.tv, our on-demand video platform. There's music, discussions and learning to suit all tastes. Click here to browse what's on offer.

Shabbat shalom,

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

Experience Poland with Tribe

Join Tribe on a memorable and moving journey to discover our Jewish heritage and learn about the horrors of the Holocaust. The trip will include a number of stops including Warsaw, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Majdanek.

This trip will take place on 26-30 October 2022, for Years 12&13.

To find out more and book your place, please click here.

Cemetery visits

Many people choose to visit loved ones before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and our cemetery opening times may vary during the month of Elul. To find the full details of cemetery opening times in Elul, please click here. If you would like your loved one’s final resting place to be cleaned or restored, the United Synagogue Burial Society provides a cleaning and maintenance service for members of the community. For more details click the link below.

MAZAL TOV!

Sutton's new minister

Sutton United Synagogue is delighted to announce that Rev David Rome has been appointed as the new minister for the community. Rev Rome will take up his new position next week (September 12). Read more about it by clicking the link below.

YOUNG US

Friday Night Dinner

Join Young US on Friday 16 September for an amazing Friday Night Dinner to meet and catch up with friends, at Hendon United Synagogue. Kabbalat Shabbat will start at 7pm, followed by Kiddush & Cocktails and dinner. Please contact shevigrunewald@youngus.org.uk for more information. To book your place, click here.

JCAT

Making JCAT Academies Greener

Significant work has taken place across JCAT over the summer to reduce the climate impact of their academies. This has included new heat pumps, gas boilers, pipe insulation and door proofing being fitted. Read more about the work and its impact by clicking the link below.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

Front of House volunteers needed

The House of Life Visitor Centre at Willesden Jewish Cemetery urgently needs Front of House (FoH) volunteers. This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy talking to new people and
have a passion for sharing the heritage of the site. To find out more, click on the link below.

COMING SOON

The Sacks Conversation

President of Israel Isaac Herzog will be in conversation with Dr Erica Brown at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday 13 September at 2pm. You can watch this live by going to TheSacksConversation.org.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

Inventors and Innovators

Explore the inventors and innovators buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery and the brilliant minds whose legacies live on to this day, at the Heritage Open Day. Sunday 11 September from 1:30-4:30pm. Book your place by clicking here.

NEXT WEEK

Taim Experience

Experience authentic Indian Kosher cuisine by Taim Deli at their KLBD-certified pop-up takeaway, with upcoming dates in Edgware, Chigwell, Finchley and St John's Wood. To see the full menu and book your place, click on the link below.

JOBS AVAILABLE

Come work with US!

We're looking for a Chief Executive, Cheder Teachers, an HRIS Manager, a Nursery Manager, Classroom Educators and more! Might you be one of them? Click on the link to see all our jobs.

Q&A

Q&A for polio booster

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended an urgent polio vaccine booster campaign for all 1-9 year olds in London. The NHS has asked us to share important information about the booster, which can be found by clicking the link below.

Why do you have to respect people's property? Find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi!

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

BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Door transformation

Borehamwood & Elstree's Rabbi Chapper had the idea to transform the door to their shul office and kiddush hall to make it more welcoming, and so asked Yardena Jackson, who was studying Art A-Level, if she could design a mural and paint it onto the door. Read more by clicking the link below.

ST ALBANS UNTIED SYNAGOGUE

A Beatles Story with a Jewish Twist

Join St Albans as they hear from Ivor Davis, who will share what it was like to tour with the Beatles in 1964, Leslie Cavendish, who was the Beatles’ hairdresser between 1967-69, and Maurice Selwyn, a rock and jazz drummer, raconteur and pop music aficionado. Sunday 18 September.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Battling Antisemitism

Heading to university or already there? Join Muswell Hill together with CST and UJS for a talk titled 'Battling Antisemitism: Practical Take-Homes for Students on Campus'. Wednesday 14 September at 8pm.

CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

Pre-Rosh Hashanah tea party

Central Synagogue are delighted to invite you to a special pre-Rosh Hashanah tea party with the opportunity to catch up with old friends, as well as High Holiday Tunes by Chazan Steven Leas. Tuesday 20 September at 2:30pm.

WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Rosh Hashanah & Shofar Experience

Rabbi Yitzi presents: 'Rosh Hashanah & Shofar Experience' on 2nd day Rosh Hashanah (Tuesday 27 September). Including coffee and honey cake, highlights, insights and Shofar, and a sermon by Rabbi Hackenbroch. Book your place now by clicking here.

ST JOHN'S WOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Find your voice

St John's Wood United Synagogue present this important event for young people on 13 September. Learn from experts about how to be informed, confident and proud when discussing Israel.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Challah Bake

Join Muswell Hill for a pre-Rosh Hashanah challah bake on Sunday 18 September from 3-5pm, at Muswell Hill Synagogue. Refreshments will be served. Book your place now by clicking here. The closing date for bookings is Tuesday 13 September.

FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Healthcare talks

Join Kinloss for their series of healthcare talks in partnership with The Wellington Hospital. Hear from leading consultants who will share their valuable insights on the latest advances in technology and more. Details of the talks can be found by clicking the link below.

CENTRAL & WESTERN MARBLE ARCH SYNAGOGUE

Choral Selichot

Join Central Synagogue and Western Marble Arch for a Choral Selichot Service with Chazan Steven Leas and special guest Chazan Simon Cohen. Motzei Shabbat 17 September. More details can be found by clicking the link below.

WEMBLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

First Night Choral Selichot

Join Wembley for their last Selichot service on the premises, featuring internationally renowned Cantor Moti Boyer and resident soloists Henry Black and Rafi Sandford, with The London Cantorial Singers plus stirring words from Rabbi S.Y. Bixenspanner, on 17 September.

WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Evening of song and inspiration

Join Woodside Park United Synagogue on 20 September for a pre-Rosh Hashanah evening of soulful music, stories and spiritual insights with Rabbi Dov Ber Cowan and the Rabbinic team.

WHAT'S ON?

Online 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 the United Synagogue events portal.