10th July 2021 / 1st Menachem Av 5781 / Matot-Masei Dear Member,
Please see below for our weekly e-newsletter.
Booking is now open for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, 16th July at 7.15pm and for Shabbat on 17th July at 10am.
Bookings will close at 6pm on Wednesday, 14th July.
We are open for Shacharit services, On Monday and Thursday at 7.05am. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.15am. Sunday and Bank Holidays at 8.15am, booking is now open.
We are open for Mincha and Ma'ariv services on Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.
To book your place please e-mail or call Robin on 07956 617669.
Bookings will close at 6pm on Thursday, 15th July.
The Shul office will remain open for phone calls only. Please do not visit the Shul office for any reason. If you are due to make a payment, this can be done by debit/credit card by ringing Michelle on 020 8629 2783 or by cheque through the post.
If you know of anyone that needs our help please contact the Shul office.
This week’s Cranbrook News is kindly sponsored by Lisa Mina to wish a happy 18th birthday to Elisha Rosenberg
Shabbat Shalom
Cranbrook US
The Torah says….What?? “The Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred”
We are in the middle of the Three Weeks, a sad time for the Jewish people, which leads up to the saddest day of the Jewish year - the 9th of Av in which the First and Second Temple were destroyed. Apropos of this, I wanted to discuss the destruction of the Second Temple.
The Second Temple was built by Zerubbabel in approximately 516 BCE, after the Jewish people had been exiled first by Nebuchadnezzar from their land. At first it was quite a modest building, but during the reign of Herod the Great, the Temple was refurbished, and created one of the most beautiful temples, to the extent that it was seen as one of the wonders of the ancient world.
This temple lasted for 585 years, and was eventually destroyed in 70CE. It relates the story of a man who wasn’t invited to a party, yet came uninvited. He was publicly embarrassed by his host, and none of the leaders of the generation did anything to defend him. This upset him to the extent that he told the Roman authorities that the Jews were rebelling against them. The Romans then came in and destroyed the Temple in retaliation. The Talmud concludes therefore that the source of the temple's destruction stems from the baseless hatred that occurred - both the guest and the host hated each other for no reason.
The secular historical view of the Temple’s destruction is very different. This view says that the destruction of the Temple was the result of an attempted military revolt led by the Jews against the Romans. This was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews against the Roman Empire, fought in Roman-controlled Judea, resulting in the destruction of Jewish towns, the displacement of its people and the appropriation of land for Roman military use, as well as the destruction of the Jewish Temple. Why is there such a discrepancy between the historical view of the destruction of the Temple and the Talmudic version? The Talmud cannot deny that the Temple was destroyed because of an uprising. Why then does it turn to baseless hatred as the primary reason for its destruction?
I believe the answer the Talmud provides gives us an insight into the brilliance of the Talmud. The Talmud is not interested in how or who destroyed the Temple. Rather, it is focused on the spiritual reason that the Temple was destroyed. The wellbeing of the Jewish people is not based upon their enemies, but on their relationship to the Almighty. If that relationship was good, there should be no reason for the Temple’s destruction, despite its many enemies. The sages want to pinpoint the weakness in the relationship between G-d and his people that allowed the Temple to be destroyed, and it finds baseless hatred to be the primary cause. This idea is really important because it tells us that without unity and love for one another, we are fundamentally weak. No matter our relationship with the Almighty - even were we to immerse ourselves in our relationship with Him through prayer and study, if we do not connect with our brothers and sisters, we cannot have that relationship with G-d.
It is therefore so important specifically at this time, and in fact for the next few months as we move towards Yom Kippur, the Day of Judgement that we start to think about developing our friendships with those whom we may have disagreed or fought with during this year, and in this way, G-d willing, we can once again have a temple that is built upon the positive relationships that we have built.
I wish you all a good Shabbos
Rabbi Steven, Siobhan, Maya and Talia Dansky.
Weekday Shacharit: In Shul Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.15am.
Mincha & Ma'ariv: In Shul and on Zoom Monday - Thursday at 7:30pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81050022128?pwd=ZEpwZXkxVFgzNko1aGNSSDhZV2Ntdz09
Meeting ID: 810 5002 2128 / Password: 434484
Shabbat Times - Matot-Masei
Kabbalat Shabbat at 7.15pm in Shul. Candle Lighting at 7.40pm (9.03pm).
Shacharit begins at 10am in Shul. Shabbat Ends at 10.19pm.
Shabbat candle lighting (Devarim) next week at 7.40pm (8.56pm).
Clarification regarding the Shabbat times during the summer months
This will allow our members to have their Friday night meal at a more convenient hour.
Kabbalat Shabbat will take place at 7.15pm throughout the summer.
Time for action: supporting the Uyghurs Jewish community conference Sunday 11 July, 2021, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Having faced persecution, torture and abuse, it’s time for action for the Uyghur community. The Jewish community conference will ask: what can we actually do about their plight? Through three high-level panels, MPs, faith leaders and activists will share practical things we can all do to support the Uyghur community.
Conference programme and livestream: www.TheUS.tv/timeforaction. No need to book. All welcome.
Chesed - food bank collection Following the success of last year’s food collection campaign and the ever growing demand for food from families hit by the Pandemic, US Chesed have decided to run this project again this summer.
US Chesed are encouraging members to donate the food items as listed on the poster below. If you are able to help by donating one of these items, please bring them to the Shul Office at the following times from Monday 21st June 2021 until Thursday 22nd July 2021.
Mondays: 10am-2pm Thursdays: 10am-2pm
We will be unable to accept toiletries or any other items at this time.
Please do not donate perishable items.
Please note masks must be worn at all times and you will be asked to drop your donations into the allocated boxes.
COVID PRECAUTIONS
MEN TO ENTER THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS.
PROCEED STRAIGHT TO A SEAT WITHOUT STOPPING. AVOID GREETING AND TALKING IN FOYER
LADIES TO ENTER THROUGH SIDE DOORS AND PROCEED TO SEATS UPSTAIRS KEEPING TO THE LEFT
ALL CLOAKROOMS ARE CLOSED KEEP BELONGINGS WITH YOU
NO COMMUNAL SINGING OR CHANTING, RABBI / LEADERS ONLY
MEN TO EXIT ONLY THROUGH THE SIDE AND REAR FIRE EXITS
LADIES TO EXIT USING THE MAIN STAIRCASE, KEEPING LEFT AT ALL TIMES AND PROCEED SLOWLY DOWN THE STAIRS TO FRONT FORECOURT
PLEASE OBSERVE THE 2M SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE AT ALL TIMES
WASH HANDS REGULARLY
Please remember the Guidelines are there for your protection and safety.
Tisha B’Av
There will be a full Tisha B’Av programme on Sunday, July 18th.
On Motsei Shabbat 17th, Fast begins at 9.09pm; Shabbat Ends at 10.11pm; Ma’ariv will be at 10.30pm, this will be followed by Eicha. On Sunday morning 18th, Shacharit (no tallis/tefilin) will be at 8.30am; this will be followed by Kinnos @ approx. 9.15am. There will be an explanation about Tisha B’Av by Rabbi Dansky following Kinnos.
Mincha (tefilin) at 5.30pm, Film presentation of “Paper Clips” at approx. 6.15pm, Ma’ariv at 7.30pm, Fast ends at 10.03pm.
For track and trace purposes please e-mail communications@cranbrooksynagogue.org.uk to book your place or call Shul office. Searching for an effective way to teach their students about the scale of the Holocaust, school officials in Tennessee devise a unique class project involving paper clips.
The middle school students in a rural, heavily Christian community begin collecting the paper clips to represent the Jews who perished in concentration camps in World War II.
After millions of the paper clips are collected, the last step is to place them inside a German rail car, a poignant echo of the Final Solution. On Tisha B’Av, Sunday, 18th July 2021, Alderney Road, Brady Street, Lauriston Road, Plashet and West Ham cemeteries will be open between 11.00 – 15.00. Appointments are not required for visits on this day.
Leyning and Haftorah
If you would like to lein part of your Barmitzvah or read the Haftorah on a Shabbat or would need some help in going over. Please contact Harold who will pass on your name to Rabbi Dansky.
There are occasions that we need men to help make a minyan at a levoya, this is a great mitzvah. We appreciate that during this difficult time men do not want to go out, perhaps some of our younger members would like to help out.
Josephine & Kenneth Wayne (70th), Marsha & Philip Curtis (65th) and
Harvey Bourne, Stuart Coslover, Freda Cowan, Mary Grant,
Joyce Meltzer on her Grandson’s Barmitzvah.
David & Joyce Halperin on the engagement of their son Michael to Amy Kisener.
Ross and Aimee Segal on the birth of their daughter, Esme Ayda.
Mark and Rachel Serkes on the birth of their son.
Sponsorship
If you would like to mark a birthday or Simcha, or want to commemorate a Yahrzeit, this can be done by sponsoring Cranbrook News. In the forthcoming weeks, there are many dates that are available. The cost of sponsoring Cranbrook News is £15.
Sponsorship is available for the on-line version of Cranbrook News on the following dates: July 17th & 31st; 7th & 14th August; 11th, 18th and 25th September.
To book any of these dates please call the synagogue office on: 020 8629 2780 or e-mail admin@cranbrooksynagogue.org.uk
Condolences:
Gillian Feldman & Laura Beckman on the loss of their mother, Susan Bass.
Norman Taylor on the loss of his sister, Susan Bass.
House of Life - Willesden
The House of Life Willesden are currently looking for Volunteers able to cover shifts Monday or Thursday mornings (9:30-13:30) and Sundays, (9:30 - 13.00 and 13.00 - 16:30). They ask Volunteers to be available for one shift a month as a minimum. Shifts will include time for tea and lunch breaks.
Front of House Volunteers welcome visitors to the Visitor Centre, enhancing the visitor experience by answering questions about the site, helping visitors navigate the cemetery and engaging them in discussion about history, death and memory.
Front of House Volunteers also play an essential role ensuring the smooth and safe running of the Visitor Centre. During quiet periods Front of House Volunteers will support the staff team with administrative tasks.
This role is perfect for people who enjoy talking to new people and have a passion for sharing the heritage of the site with the wider community.
Further information can be found using the following link:-
We wish Long Life to everyone who is observing a Yahrzeit this week:
Daniel Abrahams, Barrie Abrahams, Robin Abrahams, Kitty Adleman,
Shul Office Opening Hours As the Shul office is not open currently please call Estelle on 020 8629 2780 or Michelle on 020 8629 2783.
Rabbi Dansky is available out of hours. You can contact him directly on his mobile 07780 236697 or by calling the Shul office and selecting option 3.
Reverend Newman is available out of hours. You can contact him directly on his mobile 07882 054321 or by calling the Shul office and selecting option 4.
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