Thursday 30 November, 2023
|
|
|
When Jonathan Davies z’l passed away in 2021 aged just 59, the community at Golders Green Synagogue was plunged into mourning. Jonathan was their financial representative for many years and gave countless further hours of his time to the community’s great benefit. Jonathan’s legacy lives on, though, thanks to a very generous donation he left to the shul in his Will, helping to kickstart the community’s ambitious building project and creating new rooms to accommodate a growing membership and children’s provision.
November is Jewish Legacy Awareness Month. The United Synagogue powers Jewish life through its 56 communities and the critical infrastructure and programmes we provide for the British Jewish community. By leaving a gift to your shul in your Will you will help ensure that your community will be there for future generations and that your values live on.
To find out more, please contact my colleague Elliot at eshorrick@theus.org.uk.
|
Hostages vigil
Our joy and relief at the news that dozens of Israeli hostages have finally been released along with hostages of other nationalities is tempered by the fact that so many more remain captive. We continue to pray for the safe return home of all the hostages in Hamas captivity. The Board of Deputies has announced that it will be holding small weekly vigils outside Parliament for the return of the hostages and is calling for members of the Jewish community and allies to join this effort. They are looking for volunteers to join the vigils which will begin next week. You can sign up here.
|
A special Chanukah gift
Chanukah begins next Thursday evening! We've got articles and videos on our website. To mark COP28 (see below), if you’re giving gifts to family and friends this year, why not buy them a tree in the United Synagogue's first communal grove in Norfolk maintained by the Woodland Trust? Your action will leave a positive environmental legacy for generations to come. Each purchase comes with a certificate which you can customise. To buy yours now click here.
|
EcoShabbat
Many of our communities are marking EcoShabbat this weekend ahead of COP28 – the climate change conference which starts today. We’ve put together eight eco-friendly Chanukah tips which you can read here.
Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Senior Rabbi of Woodford Forest Synagogue and the United Synagogue representative at EcoJudaism is interviewed in this week’s Jewish Chronicle where he says: “People sometimes mistakenly think that you must choose either to be frum or to be green, but respecting and looking after the Earth and not wasting practices espoused in the Torah. There are many easy changes a community can implement, such as being conscious of food waste after an event by freezing it, using it the next day or giving it away. Most things are easy and good for the community. It saves money in the process and everybody gets that feelgood factor.”
Ahead of EcoShabbat, click here to see the 2023 achievements of Dorot, our environmental initiative. All of these projects contribute to EcoJudaism’s environmental audit points.
|
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber
Communications Director
United Synagogue
|
|
|
Supporting asylum seekers
Our monthly Asylum Seeker Drop-in Centre is re-starting on Sunday 17 December at Hendon United Synagogue. We are looking for volunteers to help make it happen. Whether you would like to help to cook nutritious hot meals, distribute much needed items or provide legal or medical aid, your help is truly appreciated. If you would like to volunteer please contact my colleague Hannah via hgerson@theus.org.uk.
|
|
Raising awareness
about cancer
Chai Cancer Care, the Jewish community's dedicated cancer support service, have sponsored this week's Daf Hashavua to raise awareness of their vital work.
The charity is currently supporting over 4,000 people aged 3-98 from eleven centres across the UK, one in three of whom are under 50 years old.
You can read more about their work and a D'var Torah by South Hampstead's Rebbetzen Lauren Levin in this week's Daf via the link below. We wish them well.
|
|
|
WATCH NOW
Dreidel biscuits
Join Northwood United Synagogue and chef and cookery writer Denise Phillips for a cooking demonstration as she shares a recipe for dreidel shaped biscuits! You can find the cooking demonstration and recipe on YouTube by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOOK NOW
Women's Musical Hallel for Chanukah
Join Rebbetzen Lauren Levin and musician Hadassa Kessler for a musical Hallel to celebrate the festival of Chanukah. Sunday 10 December, 9:30-10:15am. Tickets are free but booking is essential for security purposes. Book now by clicking here.
|
|
|
TRIBE
Israel Education for Sixth Formers
Come and hear from a panel of experts, including Anthony Julius, Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff and university students. We will discuss a brief history of the conflict, contemporary issues and practical tips for engaging in real-life discussions and using social media. Monday 4 December at 7pm. Book now by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLBD
Dr. Vegan capsules
This week's KLBD product of the week is Dr. Vegan Choline, Ashwagandha KSM-66 and Gentle Iron & Vitamin C Capsules, which are KLBD kosher Certified Parev, no logo. Available from their website.
|
|
|
YOUNG US
Friday Night Dinner
Join Young US at South Hampstead Synagogue for a traditional Friday night dinner. We will be joined by the amazing Marc Cave - director for the National Holocaust Museum in Nottingham. Friday 1 December. Book your ticket now by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
Why are there no winners in war? Find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi. To read a transcript of this and all of the Chief Rabbi's Divrei Torah, click here.
Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, Senior Rabbi of Woodford Forest United Synagogue and United Synagogue representative at EcoJudaism, answers a challenge before EcoShabbat why Jews, even if there are not that many of us, can still make a difference to improving the planet. Click here to watch.
|
|
|
CRANBROOK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah bowling
Join Cranbrook for an afternoon of Chanukah bowling, as well as lighting the candles together, doughnuts and hot chocolate. Sunday 10 December at 1:45pm. Book your ticket by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Global Women's Hallel
Join Edgware for their Global Women's Hallel for Chanukah, bringing women together from across the world. The service will open with a Dvar Torah and Tehillim readings, and will take place on Sunday 10 December at 3pm on Zoom. Zoom details can be found by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
Coffee & Company
Join Cockfosters & N Southgate as they hear from Rachel Century, Deputy Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, who will be in conversation with Danny Hockman. Thursday 7 December at 11am. In-person and on Zoom (password: 5555).
|
|
|
|
|
|
RADLETT UNITED SYNAGOGUE
The Fun-ukah Extravaganza
Join Radlett for a Fun-ukah Extravaganza with bumper cars, a VR experience, epic inflatables, a photo booth, face painting and more! Sunday 10 December at 2pm. Book your place by clicking here.
|
|
|
NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Olive oil - the inside story
Join Northwood as they hear from Walter Zanre, CEO of Filippo Berio UK, who will be in conversation with culinary expert Denise Phillips, discussing his knowledge of olive oil. Tuesday 5 December at 7pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
POTTERS BAR & BROOKMANS PARK SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah magic
Join Potters Bar & Brookmans Park Synagogue for a magic cabaret and Chanukah-based tricks, plus a raffle, tea, and doughnuts. Sunday 10 December, 3-5pm. Book your tickets by clicking here.
|
|
|
RADLETT UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah at Puttshack
Join Radlett for a fun Chanukah night out for adults to unwind and socialise as a community at Puttshack mini golf. Thursday 14 December at 8pm. First drink is free! Book your place by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Communal Chanukah Event
Join Woodside Park for their Chanukah event with Tribe doughnuts, food, fireworks and fun. Sunday 10 December from 5:30-7:30pm. Book your tickets by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
KINGSTON, SURBITON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE
Police support for the community
Officers from the Metropolitan Police service attended Kingston Synagogue last week to share the message that hate crimes and incidents based on faith, religion, ability or background will not be tolerated. You can read more about it by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
WEMBLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Myrnapedia
Wembley recently celebrated the 85th birthday of member Myrna Glass. Nicknamed 'Myrnapedia', Myrna has a wide knowledge of the history of Wembley United Synagogue. You can read more about her by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Challah Bake
A successful Challah Bake was recently held at Woodside Park. This was an opportunity for members of the community to come together to support and pray for peace and the safe return of all hostages and captured IDF soldiers. Profits raised were donated to charity.
|
|
|
KINGSTON, SURBITON & DISTRICT SYNAGOGUE
Cheder Quiz
Kingston, Surbiton & District's cheder committee and JLGB recently held a fund-raising quiz for the cheder in the shul. You can read more about it by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOARD OF DEPUTIES
Community Briefing
Read the Board's latest community briefing.
|
|
|
WHAT'S ON?
Check out all our 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 our events portal.
|
|
|
|
This email was sent with love from the United Synagogue.
If you no longer wish to receive this email, you can unsubscribe here.
|
|
|
|
