London: 17:07
Birmingham: 17:09
Sheffield: 17:07
Southport: 17:12
Jerusalem: 16:49
London: 18:12
Birmingham: 18:17
Sheffield: 18:19
Southport: 18:26
Jerusalem: 18:07
You can find details of this week's Torah reading, Maftir and Haftarah in our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here.
According to an online property website, January was a record-breaking month with millions of people across the country thinking of moving home.
The United Synagogue keeps an eye on demographic changes in our community too: recent years have seen significant numbers of Jewish families moving from traditional Jewish centres to new areas within and beyond London. Our Communities of Potential programme, established in 2015, helps seed new communities by engaging Jews who were previously uninvolved in community life.
Over the next few weeks, we're going to introduce you to our new communities in East Borehamwood, Mill Hill East and West Hampstead (all in partnership with our wonderful communities elsewhere in the area). But we start this week with our new community in Hatfield. Enjoy!
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Jewish Hatfield
The Jewish community in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, continues to grow, led by Rabbi and Rebbetzen Tatz who also serve the existing community and shul in Welwyn Garden City with whom there is a wonderful relationship.
Jewish residents told us how welcoming the community is "regardless of your background" and how friendly local people are too, with a feeling that "life is less rushed than in London".
Members said they value the "grassroots nature of the community" in a new area (just 0.8% of residents identified as Jewish in the 2011 census), with activities which give "a sense of something exciting happening".
The other big plus points are how green the area is, with dozens of parks and cycling and walking trails to keep you healthy.
The area is very well connected: a direct train (remember them?) will get you into Kings Cross in just 26 minutes and another to Moorgate in a similar time.
Costco in Stevenage has kosher food and members are currently trialling kosher meat deliveries.
There's more information online about Jewish Hatfield and its partner community, Welwyn Garden City Hebrew Congregation.
There's an online event on Monday 1 March at 7.45pm when you're warmly invited to join Rabbi Yakov and Rebbetzen Eliana Tatz for an inside look at the community, and get the scoop from those who have already made the move to Hatfield. Register now by clicking here.
If you have a family member looking to join a warm community and a more affordable place to live, why not check it out and help build a fledgling community!
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Be a Chesed champion!
On March 7 and 8 we're running an online matched-giving appeal to raise urgent funds for the amazing work of US Chesed. This appeal is vital to provide over 4,000 people with desperately needed food and support this Pesach and throughout the year. We're looking for volunteers to act as Chesed champions who can tell their friends and family and support the extraordinary work helping our most vulnerable members. Please get involved by signing up to be a Chesed Champion today by clicking here!
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Thank you to our Chevra kadisha volunteers
Tomorrow is 7 Adar in the Jewish calendar, the date on which Moses was born and also died, 120 years later. In many communities members of the Chevra kadisha, burial society, fast on 7 Adar and then have a seuda, meal at night.
The United Synagogue Burial Society would be hosting a seuda in person were it not for the pandemic and so we take this opportunity in You&US to thank the extraordinary men and women for their ongoing sacrifice and commitment to helping prepare our loved ones for burial.
It has been a particularly difficult twelve months for the community with many more funerals than usual. It is also sad we cannot thank the volunteers in person to show them the gratitude they deserve but we hope to do so when the pandemic permits. Thank you from us all.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber
Communications Director
United Synagogue
Join our WhatsApp group!
We are delighted to have launched our new WhatsApp group 'The United Synagogue in your pocket' last week, which kicked off on Monday with a series of thoughts on the Megillah with our Director of Education, Rabbi Michael Laitner! Join the group right now to receive regular short Jewish thoughts and inspiring insights straight to your phone! The first group is already at full capacity so we have created a second group which you can join by clicking the link below.
Celebrate Purim safely: here's how
This year’s Purim will look very different to previous years. We have shared extensive guidance with our Rabbis, Rebbetzens and Chairs of our communities and our communities will in turn be sending tailored guidance to their members. We have outlined how to fulfil the four mitzvot of Purim, plus the reading of Parashat Zachor via the link below. You should also listen to the Chief Rabbi's message by clicking here.
HOUSE OF LIFE
What's on at Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Join us for a new series focusing on different aspects of death. 'Losing Loved Ones, Keeping Rituals' looks at how the pandemic has changed our experiences of burial and mourning. Other events include a talk on Jewish funerals in Victorian times, a 'Virtual Death Café', and curator Hester Abrams on women buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Register now via the link below.
INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY
WIN a Purim prize!
Our Purim Instagram giveaway is back! You could be the lucky winner of an amazing box of treats worth £70! To find out how to enter the giveaway, click on the link below. Please note that this giveaway is open to over 18s only.
PURIM
Purim 2021 live online
On Thursday 25 and Friday 26 February join us for a fabulous feast of Purim events online including a variety of live Megillah readings, a Tribe Purim Adventure, cocktail making for Young Professionals, and more. The full list of programmes and where to watch them can be found by clicking the link below.
WATCH NOW
Shemot Snacks
Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn continues to cook his way through the Parshiot – now we are onto the Book of Shemot. Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try! This week is Cholent - watch it by clicking the link below.
WATCH NOW
Lunch & Learn
Want to appreciate the deeper meaning of the weekly Torah portion? Looking for a nice Dvar Torah to share at the Shabbat table? Catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Mendel Lew, who delved into this week's Parasha, Terumah. Watch via the link below.
WATCH NOW
The Book of Shemot
Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for his series exploring the Book of Shemot. This week's talk is titled 'From Slavery to Sanctuary: Part 7', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.
NER TAMID PROJECT
Daily digital davening
Sadly, with many of our shuls closed due to rising infection rates, we've stepped in once again to organise daily prayer services. We will endeavour to broadcast prayers on our Facebook page three times a day (other than Shabbat) led by Rabbis from across our communities.
What happens if you turn away from the needs of another person? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.
BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Heads Up!
Join Borehamwood & Elstree's Rebbetzin Emma Taylor for a new Rosh Chodesh series, sharing inspiration to help you keep your head up for the coming month. Watch Heads Up! with Rebbetzin Avital Chizhik-Goldshmidt of Park East Synagogue in New York by clicking the link below.
FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Healthcare talks
Join Kinloss for their 2021 webinar series in partnership with The Wellington Hospital and the United Synagogue. The first one, titled 'The latest thinking on disease medical advances' and featuring a panel of consultants, will take place on Tuesday 2 March at 8pm.
SOUTH HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Sir Keir Starmer, MP
Join South Hampstead as they hear from Sir Keir Starmer, MP for Holborn & St Pancras. He will be reflecting on his first year as Leader of the Opposition, the impact of Covid, and the future challenges facing Britain. Sunday 21 February at 8pm, live on Zoom. Register now by clicking here.
RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Purim cartoons!
Richmond invite children 4-15 years old and their families to celebrate Purim with Paul Solomons, an incredible cartoonist and animator who makes the graphics for the ‘Tribe Scribe’ in Daf Hashavua, who will be running a cartooning class. Sunday 21 February at 5pm. Register now by clicking here.
WELWYN GARDEN CITY UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Welcome to Hatfield!
Join Rabbi Yakov and Rebbetzen Eliana Tatz for an inside look at one of the UK's most dynamic, up-and-coming Jewish communities, and get the scoop from those who have already made the move to Hatfield. Monday 1 March at 7.45pm. Register now by clicking here.
NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Communal Havdalah
Northwood recently held a special communal Havdalah for their members. They purchased, through donations, beautiful Havdalah sets from the Kisharon Shop which were then delivered to every member of the community. Read more by clicking on the link below.
MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Megillat Esther
Join Muswell Hill as they hear from Rabbi David Mason, whose talk is titled 'Esther and the politics of the diaspora', and Dr Lindsay Simmonds, whose talk is titled 'The Book of Esther: what does it say about femininity or even feminism?' Sunday 21 February, starting at 7.45pm.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Edgware presents: Lynda Fishman
Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Lynda Fishman, who will be discussing her book 'Repairing Rainbows', which talks about her life before and after the tragedy she experienced as a teenager. Wednesday 24 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.
COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: David Glasser
David Glasser is Chair of the Trustees and Executive Chair at Ben Uri. David will be giving us a fascinating talk on the history of the Ben Uri, its innovative present as the First Full Scale Virtual Museum and Research Centre and its exciting future. Tuesday 23 February at 11am.
EALING UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Just Desserts
Join Ealing for what will be the first of their series of Zoom events in which they share music and talk with members of the community. Bring your own dessert and listen to Marian & Edward Cohen in discussion with Michael Mars. Sunday 21 February at 2.30pm.
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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