London: 16:42
Birmingham: 16:43
Sheffield: 16:39
Southport: 16:44
Jerusalem: 16:37
London: 17:48
Birmingham: 17:53
Sheffield: 17:54
Southport: 18:00
Jerusalem: 17:55
Next week is Rosh Chodesh, the start of the new Jewish month of Adar.
The Talmud says "Mishenichnas Adar marbim b'simcha" (Ta’anit 29a) - when Adar arrives, we increase our rejoicing, because Adar contains the wonderful festival of Purim.
This year, nearly twelve months on from the first national lockdown, many of us might find it more challenging to feel joyful. It will certainly be a different Purim to what we've known in the past.
But to help us celebrate, our communities have been busy planning wonderful local programmes and to complement them, the United Synagogue team has spent the last month arranging some quite brilliant initiatives to help us enjoy the festival and fulfil the four mitzvot of Purim in a Covid-secure way...
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Purim in a Box
Through Purim in a Box (full details below) we will deliver a festive Seuda breakfast box direct to your door (within the M25; we're in touch with our communities outside the M25 to discuss local options). Wherever you live, we will arrange for Mishloach Manot (giving edible gifts) to be sent to our Chesed recipients without you leaving your home. And we will distribute Matanot Laevyonim (charity to help people in need) on your behalf.
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Listening to the megillah
Although it is permitted by the government, we know our communities have been thinking very carefully about whether they are in a position to hold megillah readings in person this year because of the pandemic and they will be in touch with their members.
Ordinarily, adults have an obligation to hear the megillah in person both in the evening and day of Purim. If you can hear a reading in shul or from somebody else whilst complying with government and United Synagogue Covid regulations, or if you can read it yourself from a kosher scroll, then you should do so.
If, owing to Covid restrictions, this is not possible, then you should listen to one of the live recitals we are broadcasting, rather than a recording. You can see the full list of megillah readings by clicking here.
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Packed Purim online programme
And on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 February, join us on TheUS.tv and on our Facebook page for a fabulous feast of Purim events. With a Musical Extravaganza, cocktail making and an illusionist from TV's Britain's Got Talent, there's something for everyone. Full details are below. This will be a very different Purim, but one we are so excited to share with you.
Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber
Communications Director
United Synagogue
Purim in a Box
We are delighted to present Purim in a Box, an ideal way to celebrate Purim 2021 at home, whilst fulfilling some of the mitzvot of the festival! The box will contain all you need to prepare your very own festive breakfast Seudah (meal) on Friday 26th February. The boxes can also be gifted to US Chesed to fulfil the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot (giving edible gifts), and you will be able to donate online to fulfil the mitzvah of Matanot Laevyonim (charity to help people in need). These boxes and donations will be distributed on Purim on your behalf. To place your orders, please click the link below.
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 for those who can't make it to shul or arrange a Covid-secure reading at home. Other highlights will include a Tribe Purim Adventure with Captain Calamity, a Purim Musical Extravaganza, cocktail making for Young Professionals, and a magical presentation from Illusionist and BGT Finalist, Josh Horus. We will be broadcasting events via our Facebook page and on TheUS.tv. The full list of programmes and where to watch them can be found by clicking the link below.
TRIBE
The Michael Seres Memorial Fund
Last year, Radlett United Synagogue member and former chair Michael Seres sadly passed away at the age of 51. Michael was very involved in the programmes that Tribe lead, and Tribe have set up the Michael Seres Memorial Fund in his memory. To find out more, click on the link below.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Tribe's fruit carving competition
Congratulations to the winners of Tribe's fruit carving competition, which was to create an animal or bird with fruit for Tu B’Shevat! Siblings Mason (6) and Blake Simons (4) made created a stunning peacock and Rupert Simon-Marks (9) built a beautiful 3D parrot.
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 Chocolate & Baileys Cheesecake Brownies - watch it by clicking the link below.
WATCH NOW
Tree Conservation and Why It Matters
Golders Green Synagogue presents Mathew Frith, Director of Conservation of the London Wildlife Trust, in conversation with Naomi Verber and introduced by Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski.
Watch it by clicking on the link below.
WATCH NOW
Waters of Windermere
The Boys were a group of orphaned Holocaust survivors brought over to England following the war. Many were taken to an absorption centre in the Lake District. Watch this special broadcast in commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day by clicking the link below.
WATCH NOW
Lunch & Learn
Catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn: Explore the Parasha with Rabbi Akiva Rosenblatt of Hadley Wood, who delved into this week's Parasha, Yitro. 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 'Ready for Sinai!', 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 now closed again 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.
Why should our children and grandchildren carry out mitzvot? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.
And click here to read a D'var Torah from Rebbetzen Gila Hackenbroch, the Senior Rebbetzen of Woodside Park United Synagogue.
MILL HILL EAST JEWISH COMMUNITY
Community passes 200 members
225 members have joined Mill Hill East Jewish Community since becoming a full member of the United Synagogue in April 2018. A range of Tu B'Shevat events last week attracted more than 100 adults and children.
SOUTHPORT SYNAGOGUE
A Tu B'Shevat Gift
Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year for trees, took place last week. Southport Synagogue, our newest member synagogue, had the lovely idea of delivering a potted primrose to each of their members to celebrate.
COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: Ingrid Sellman
Willesden Jewish Cemetery became the final resting place of choice for many of Victorian London’s great and good. Now home to a new visitor experience, the story of the cemetery will be in the hands of Ingrid Sellman. Tuesday 9 February at 11am.
STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
The impact of Biden on Israel
Join Stanmore & Canons Park for an evening with Jeremy Sharon, Jewish World reporter and the Religious Affairs reporter for The Jerusalem Post, who will be discussing the impact of Biden on Israel. Sunday 7 February at 8pm on Zoom. To request the code, please click the link below.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Edgware presents: Lyn Julius
Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Lyn Julius, a journalist, blogger, and founder of Harif, the UK Association of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa. Wednesday 10 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Anshei Midot
Join Kenton for the next episode of 'Anshei Midot', where Irene Leeman will talk about Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin (1913-1992), and Frank Weinberg will introduce us to former Israeli navy commander Colonel Ilan Egozi (b 1944).
Monday 8 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.
STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Inspirational Double-Acts
Stanmore & Canons Park presents a new series of inspiring interviews with Rabbi Daniel Fine. These 15-minute interviews feature people who have worked together to create amazing projects, learning the secrets of teamwork. Watch the series by clicking the link below.
ST ALBANS UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Holocaust Memorial Day
St Albans United Synagogue recently hosted their Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration on Zoom, featuring guest speaker Francoise Robertson, a Holocaust survivor, an address by the Mayor, Cllr Janet Smith, and more.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Breakfast and Learn
Join Edgware for Breakfast & Learn, as they hear from Rabbi Zvi Portnoy, Associate Rabbi at Hendon United Synagogue. Rabbi Portnoy will be giving his talk on Tuesday 9 February at 9am, live on Zoom.
MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Racism & Activism
Join Muswell Hill as they hear from Ashager Araro from the Batae Ethiopian Heritage Centre, who will discuss her immigration to Israel as an infant from Ethiopia under the IDF's Operation Solomon. Sunday 7 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.
WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join Rabbi Pinchas Hackenbroch together with Chazan David Behrman from Woodside Park United Synagogue each week for an uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service, live on Zoom. Every Friday at 12pm and everyone is invited.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Kenton presents: Dr Steven Wilson
Join Kenton as they hear from Dr Steven Wilson, Chief Executive of the United Synagogue, for his talk titled 'Reflecting on the past year'. Thursday 4 February at 8pm, following a quiz which will start at 7.30pm. All welcome.
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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