London: 19:26
Birmingham: 19:31
Sheffield: 19:29
Jerusalem: 18:19
London: 20:27
Birmingham: 20:35
Sheffield: 20:39
Jerusalem: 19:34
There are some ideas which are so good, you know it as soon as you hear them. Let me tell you one of them.
Our communities' lay and rabbinic leadership teams have spent the past few months thinking through every single aspect of what will be a very different Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. One challenge is how to run Choral Midnight Selichot - a beautiful, evocative service that marks the beginning of saying selichot, special penitential prayers before Rosh Hashanah. Many of our communities hold them every year with hundreds of people enjoying a large choir and beautiful harmonies. But what to do in light of Covid?
Robin Jacobs, the Chair of Woodford Forest United Synagogue, rose to the challenge. What if, he said on the phone a couple of months ago, we created a drive-in cinema for one night only, where, instead of the latest Hollywood blockbuster (remember them?) members could enjoy the melodies from the safety and comfort of their own vehicle?
And so, on motza'ei Shabbat, Saturday 12 September, at 11pm, Woodford Forest United Synagogue and Cranbrook United Synagogue are partnering to create the first ever ‘drive-in Selichot’, which will be able to host up to 250 people. Tickets are free. To book, and for more information, click here.
It's a quite brilliant idea and we wish them well.
Rabbi Sacks in conversation with Rabbi Yoni Golker
Join us on Monday evening for a conversation between Rabbi Lord Sacks and St John's Wood United Synagogue's Rabbi Yoni Golker on the themes of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Prayer and Life.
The free online event will feature the songs and melodies of the festivals, sung by Chazan Shulem Lemmer, Chazan Avreimi Kirshenbaum, Chazan Tzvi Weiss, the Neimah Singers and Rabbi Yossi Binstock. Not to be missed! Monday 7 September, 8pm on TheUS.tv and available on-demand after that.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber
Communications Director, United Synagogue
Remembering Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz zt"l
Join LSJS and South Hampstead Synagogue in partnership with the United Synagogue and the Steinsaltz Center for a memorial evening for Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz on Sunday who passed away, aged 83. He was a great teacher, philosopher, social critic, author, translator and publisher who revolutionised the study of Talmud. His teachings influenced hundreds of thousands of Jews across the globe. Learn about his life and impact from people who knew him well, as they share incredible stories, ideas and achievements that will inspire and make you think. This event is free of charge, but booking is required via the link below.
Edgware presents: First night Selichot
Join Edgware United Synagogue (in person!) for their first night Selichot, led by Chazan Yossi Schwarz, and accompanied by The Rinah Ensemble under the direction of Eliot Alderman. Rabbi David Lister will also be giving an address. This will be taking place on Motza'ei Shabbat 12th September, at 10.30pm. Because of social distancing requirements, seating is very limited, so for those unable to attend in person, the service will also be livestreamed on TheUS.tv and Edgware United's Facebook page. To apply for a seat, please send an email to office@edgwareu.com by clicking on the link below.
SIGN UP NOW
US Virtual Chesed Conference 2020
The US Virtual Chesed Conference 2020 will take place on Wednesday 9 September at 7:30pm. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from a range of speakers on a variety of topics, with a keynote talk from Minister for Loneliness Baroness Barran MBE. To register please click the link below.
THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT!
Barnet United Synagogue
welcomes you tomorrow!
This Friday at our new time of 6.45pm, join Barnet's Rabbi Dr Samuel Landau for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service. Watch live on TheUS.tv and on Facebook.
MIDNIGHT SELICHOT
Choral midnight Selichot film premiere
Join us on Motza'ei Shabbat 12th September at 9.30pm for a YouTube premiere of Choral Midnight Selichot, a unique service featuring the traditional evocative Shabbaton-style melodies. The service was held in September 2019 and filmed live at the 120-year-old Hampstead Synagogue.
WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY
Take part in an audio project!
Willesden Cemetery is looking for a young person to be part of “Invisible Cities”, a sound piece commissioned from artists as part of the Brent Biennial art extravaganza. You need to have an older relative buried at the cemetery, and will be recorded chatting with a grandparent or carer.
WATCH AGAIN
Israel, Islam, & the West
Rabbi Jonathan Hughes interviewed esteemed author, speaker and senior government advisor Ed Husain for US in the City, who discussed 'Israel, Islam, & the West: Brave New World.' Watch again by clicking the link below.
WATCH AGAIN
Lunch & Learn
In case you missed it, catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with guest speaker Rabbi Daniel Fine of Stanmore & Canons Park who delved into this week's Parasha, Ki Tavo. Watch it again, as well as previous weeks, by clicking the link below.
KLBD
Kosher M&Ms and food guide update
M&M's Crunchy Caramel and M&M's Salted Caramel are certified KLBD Dairy with no logo! The Second Update to The Really Jewish Food Guide 2020 is also now available to download, which can be found by clicking the link below.
BURIAL SOCIETY
Cemetery visits
Visiting a loved one at this time of year usually takes place a few Sundays before the Chagim. The Burial Society is asking that this year with the need for social distancing, you should try and come during weekdays, and it would be appreciated if you could stagger visits over the weeks before Rosh Hashanah.
NEW WEEKLY SERIES FOR FAMILIES
Watch this week's Parsha Cast!
We are delighted to bring you Parsha Cast - a brand new video series for families from South Hampstead
United Synagogue produced by Rebbetzen Lauren Levin and Rabbi Eli Levin of South Hampstead and Tribe. Each week you get the lowdown on the weekly parsha in a short fun video with some questions to discuss with your family. View the series on TheUS.tv.
Why are stones so important in our tradition?
In Chumash, we find numerous examples of the significance of stones. One is in Parshat Ki Tavo. The Israelites were just about to enter into the land of Cana’an, Hashem commanded us to take stones “וְכָתַבְתָּ֣ עַל־הָאֲבָנִ֗יםאֶֽת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֛י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את” Hashem asked us to engrave within the slabs of the stones all the words of the Torah. Why particularly stones? In Parshat Vayechi, Yaakov, who was about to pass away summoned his children. Of his son Yosef, he said “אבן ישראל – he is the stone of Israel”. What did Yaakov mean? Targum Onkelus, the Aramaic translation, explains that the word ‘אבן’ is a composite term. It is made up of two words, ‘אב’ and ‘בן’ meaning father and son – together making ‘אבן’. So Yaakov was saying of Yosef that he was the אבן ישראל – he sustained the family of Israel in Egypt. Parents and children alike – everybody together.
Emerging from this peirush of Onkelus we have a very profound message. In the same way as an אבן – a stone is indestructible in the face of natural elements, so too the Jewish people will never be destroyed for as long as parents convey the lessons of our tradition through to their children who, in turn, will pass it on to the generations to come. This is what we are being reminded of when Hashem tells us to engrave words of Torah on stone – it implies that we have a responsibility to keep Torah alive through the successful education we give to our children. And now we can understand the significance of the matzevah – a monument of stone to the deceased – because the stone inspires us to remember that everything that those who passed away lived for, can be kept alive if we convey their traditions successfully from parents to children and onto the generations to come.
We now have added insight into an important verse in Tehillim, which we recite in Hallel. “ אֶֽבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה – the stone that the builders have rejected has become a cornerstone” We’re referring here, of course, to the tragic manner in which our enemies have so often sought to reject the Jewish people. But nonetheless, we have continued to give a contribution of immense value to societies right around the globe.
Perhaps there is an added meaning: “אֶֽבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים” – even where those who are building the future of our world reject the notion of ‘אבן’, if they reject the possibility that an ancient tradition can be just as fresh and just as relevant today as it always was because it has been passed down from generation to generation and from parents to children – “הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה” – Am Yisrael will still triumph. We have prevailed and today, thanks to our values, thanks to our morals and our ethics we are the cornerstone of our civilisation.
Shabbat Shalom
JOINT COLLABORATION
More than just a blessing
Join Bushey, Shenley, Stanmore, Belmont and Ohr Yisrael for a special event for Kohanim, where Rabbi Zvi Cohen of Kingsbury United Synagogue will be giving an inspirational and instructional refresher in preparation for the new year. Sunday 13 September at 8.15pm, live on Zoom.
MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Battling antisemitism
Heading to university this September? Join Muswell Hill as they hear from CST and UJS, who will be discussing 'Battling Antisemitism: Practical Take-Homes for Students on Campus'. Thursday 10 September at 8pm. Book by clicking the link below.
BUSHEY AND NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Explanatory Selichot service
Join Bushey and Northwood for an evening of inspiring and modern renditions from the midnight Selichot service sung by the Shabbaton Choir, with an analysis of the prayers by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum. Wednesday 9 September, 8.30pm.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Cookery demonstration
Join Edgware for a Rosh Hashanah and Succot cookery demonstration by Rabbi David Lister, Rebbetzen Rachie Lister, and members of the community, who will teach you how to prepare six different Yom Tov dishes. Sunday 13 September at 3pm, live on Zoom.
MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Elul inspiration
Join Muswell Hill for an inspiring talk with Tanya White, an international lecturer and educator, and Rabbi Alex Israel, author and Tanach teacher. They will be sharing some 'Elul inspiration' live on Zoom, on Wednesday 9 September at 7.45pm.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Sing a song of Tishri
Join Kenton for an evening with Rabbi Yehuda Black and Frank Weinberg as they delve into understanding Rosh Hashanah prayers and familiar melodies. Monday 7 September and Tuesday 15 September at 8pm, live on Zoom.
NEW WEST END AND HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Cooking Demo with Denise Phillips
Join New West End and Hampstead for a cookery demonstration with Denise Phillips, who will be making chicken roulade stuffed with apricots, carrots and garlic, and rugelach. Find the recipes by clicking the link below so you can buy your ingredients ahead of the event. Tonight at 8pm.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Breakfast and learn
Join Edgware for their next 'Breakfast and Learn' talk, featuring Rabbi Meir Shindler, Rabbi of Richmond United Synagogue. He will be giving his fascinating talk live on Zoom, on Tuesday 8 September at 8.30am.
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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