London: 21:07

Birmingham: 20:00*

Hull: 21:17

Sheffield: 21:19

Southport: 21:27

Jerusalem: 19:07

London: 22:27

Birmingham: 22:42

Hull: 23:03

Sheffield: 23:02

Southport: 23:12

Jerusalem: 20:30

*Birmingham communities bring in Shabbat at 20:00 throughout the summer

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

Thursday 17 June, 2021

Do you remember the Green Park Hotel in Bournemouth? Together with our friends at Israel Bonds we invite you to watch the film "The Green Park", and then join us for a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a Q&A on Wednesday 23 June at 6:30pm with Marsha Nuriya Lee, producer of the award-winning documentary.

The film, narrated by Maureen Lipman, is showing right now on Amazon Prime or we'll send you an exclusive link to watch the film when you register for the Q&A. The event is free. Click here to register!

Mazal tov, Cockfosters and N Synagogue!

We have another lovely Rabbinic appointment this week as Cockfosters and N Southgate United Synagogue (CNSS) announce the selection of Rabbi Meir and Rebbetzen Rina Shindler who were voted in overwhelmingly by the community's members.

Rabbi and Rebbetzen Shindler are currently the Rabbinic couple at Richmond United Synagogue where they have served for the past five years. Richmond's loss is of course CNSS' gain and we are already working with Richmond to help them find worthy successors.

Jeff Zinkin, Chair of the Rabbinic Search Team, told us: "We are delighted to have recruited a truly stand out rabbinic couple in Rabbi and Rebbetzen Shindler to lead the CNSS community. We are tremendously excited for them to join us later in the year and for them to lead the congregation in its next phase, continuing the great work of our previous Rabbinic families."

You can read more about the Shindlers here.

And mazal tov from Her Majesty!

We wish a hearty mazal tov to everyone announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this week. Scott Saunders, a former Chair of Finchley United Synagogue (Kinloss) has received an MBE for his services to Holocaust education as the founder and chair of March of the Living UK. Daniel Mendoza has also been made an OBE for his services to Holocaust education in his capacity as Chair of the Anne Frank Trust UK. Mazal tov!

If there are members of your community you wish to celebrate in next week's email, please just hit reply!

Shabbat shalom,

Richard Verber

Communications Director,

United Synagogue

Could you be our next Deputy? Deadline Monday

The United Synagogue is keen to have a US member represent us centrally at the Board of Deputies. You will work with US Trustees to understand the charity’s priorities and values and convey them to the Board’s Honorary Officers, fellow Deputies and staff as appropriate. You can read more about the position in a previous You&US email by clicking the link below. If you are interested in applying, please send a few paragraphs outlining your interest and experience, including your name and shul to deputy@theus.org.uk by Monday (21 June). Trustees will elect one Deputy from the candidates. Good luck!

Update on Covid restrictions for weddings

The Prime Minister recently announced new changes to Covid restrictions on weddings and stonesettings. Following the announcement, Steven Wilson, Chief Executive of the United Synagogue, said: "We are very pleased that couples will be able to celebrate their wedding from June 21 with more family and friends. The government has said that the number of people who can attend will now be determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place." Click the link below to read the full statement, and see the changes to stonesettings.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

WW1 Guided Walks

For a limited time only the House of Life will be running free guided walks focusing on those commemorated at Willesden Cemetery who lost their lives during WW1. Led by volunteer guides, every stop along the way will introduce visitors to stories of those who gave their lives to the cause. Book now by clicking the link below.

THE MATMID PROGRAMME

Learn with Dayan Gelley

Join Dayan Gelley for his shiur as part of the Matmid Programme - community text based learning. Dayan Gelley's shiur will be titled 'Shabbos & Technology' and will take place on Thursday 24 June at 8pm, live on Zoom. All are welcome.

WATCH NOW

Arieh Handler 1915-2011

Arieh Handler was the last living person to have been present at the Israel Declaration of Independence. The occasion of his 10th Yahrzeit provides the opportunity to review the major achievements of his life, presented by his grandson Aviv Handler. Watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.

TRIBE & KLBD

The Kosher Apprentice

The Kosher Apprentice is an exciting opportunity for Year 6 students to test their knowledge on the laws of Kashrut. The competition allows the students to be creative and use their understanding of Kashrut to develop a brand new Kosher snack - stay tuned to find out the winners of the competition!

WATCH NOW

Bamidbar Braai

Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn continues to cook his way through the Parshiot – now we are onto the Book of Bamidbar. Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try! This week is BBQ London Broil & Tabouleh - watch it by clicking the link below.

What's the most irresponsible personal undertaking the Chief Rabbi has ever heard of? Click here to find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.

And click here to read a D'var Torah from Rabbanit Batya Friedman, Rabbanit of Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue.

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

MILL HILL EAST JEWISH COMMUNITY

MHE presents: Tamara Finkelstein

Join Mill Hill East Jewish Community as they hear from Tamara Finkelstein, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, who will be talking about her role and life as a Jew in the Civil Service. Sunday 20 June at 7:30pm.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

'My Journey Through Zionism'

Join Muswell Hill as they hear from Stephen Brown, who has worked in the film and TV industry for over 35 years and has qualified as a counsellor and psychotherapist. His talk will be titled 'My Journey Through Zionism' and will take place on Sunday 20 June at 8pm.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Rabbi Shmuel Miller

Rabbi Shmuel Miller has educated and inspired individuals, families and communities on four continents. Rabbi Miller became Kenton’s Director of Youth Activities when he arrived in Kenton from Israel 1995. Join Kenton as they welcome him back to speak on Thursday 24 June at 8:15pm.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Wembley's Cantorial Tradition

Join Edgware for a session presented by Spencer Nathan, remembering the chazanim who served the Wembley United Synagogue community over a long period, with memorable cantorial pieces. Tuesday 22 June at 8pm.

NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Gesher School

Join Northwood as they hear from Sarah Sultman and Ali Durban, the founders of Gesher School. Gesher is an OFSTED ‘Outstanding’ primary school for pupils with mild to moderate special educational needs, including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Downs Syndrome. Sunday 20 June at 11am.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

CLC presents: Arieh Wagner

Arieh Wagner is the founder of STARGUEST, and last year he secured a deal to provide kosher meals at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Bahrain and negotiated the catering for luxury kosher holidays and weddings at the Habtoor Palace Hotel in Dubai. Tuesday 22 June at 11am.

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Shiurim for women

Join Hendon United Synagogue together with Ner Yisrael for their series of shiurim for women, on Sunday evenings from 8:30-9:30pm. The next shiur will be by Rebbetzen Liat Mayerfeld and will take place on Sunday 20 June.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The People and the Books

Join Kenton as they hear from Irene Leeman, who will be looking at 'Out of the Depths' - the autobiography of Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, and David Harris, who will discuss 'Chassidic Tales of the Holocaust'. Monday 21 June at 8:15pm.

BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Heads Up!

Join Borehamwood & Elstree's Rebbetzin Emma Taylor for her Rosh Chodesh series 'Heads Up!' Rebbetzin Taylor spoke with Rifka Meyer, co-founder of GETToutUK, and Rabbanit Ramie, co-founder and executive director of GETToutUK. Watch on YouTube now by clicking the link below.

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.