London: 21:06
Birmingham: 20:00
Sheffield: 21:18
Jerusalem: 19:08
London: 22:24
Birmingham: 22:39
Sheffield: 22:56
Jerusalem: 20:38
After three extremely challenging months, United Synagogue shuls will start to reopen this weekend. It has been a long wait.
I’ve particularly missed visiting United Synagogue communities which is one of the joys of my role and seeing how each of our shuls is unique yet shares the characteristics of being warm and welcoming to all.
I've missed the services, my friends, the kiddush. And in case my Rabbi is reading this – I’ve even missed his sermons.
The decision we took to close all the United Synagogues is one of the hardest we’ve ever taken. Coming together for prayer services is at the core of what our communities stand for and it has been extremely painful for us to keep our buildings closed. Nevertheless, it was the right thing to do in order to protect the health of our members, staff and volunteers.
It has also been a very challenging time for our members who have been deprived of their connection to their community because, in addition to being houses of prayer, our buildings are community centres.
We were therefore delighted to hear the government say that places of worship can reopen this weekend for communal prayer services. This will allow us to slowly and safely reopen our synagogues over the coming days and weeks.
In addition, in a COVID-secure and responsible way, we can carefully plan to restart aspects of our broader communal provision too.
I want to pay tribute to the whole United Synagogue team – rabbinic and lay, professionals and volunteers who have read and digested the government guidance and spent countless hours putting together thoughtful plans to enable our communities to reopen this weekend. I am deeply grateful.
Things will look very different on our return, and measures such as strict social distancing, hand sanitising, compulsory face coverings and a booking system will all be in place to keep each other safe. We remain committed to taking a cautious and steady approach to reopening as we get used to a new way of running our communities.
We also know that some members are still self-isolating and others don't yet feel comfortable to return to shul. Nobody should feel pressurised into coming.
Each of our communities will be restarting services at its own pace with safety as the priority and we will support each community every step of the way.
But for now, we cannot wait to open our doors and welcome people back to our shuls. If you’re able to, please join us.
And finally, the Chief Rabbi has recorded a special message which you can watch here.
Shabbat shalom,
Michael Goldstein
President, United Synagogue
This week, in honour of United Synagogue shuls starting to reopen, Rabbi Nicky Liss and Jo Grose have penned the following D'var Torah...
During the pandemic, we have been writing to Rabbis, Rebbetzens and Shul Chairs on behalf of the United Synagogue's Rabbinic Council and Communities Division with updates and guidelines to help our communities and members navigate the challenges of the lockdown.
More recently, and particularly following the government’s announcement last week, our communities’ outstanding leadership teams have been working with great dedication to enable our shuls to reopen safely.
During this time we have allowed ourselves to think about that precious moment of re-entering shul and fortunately, our sages have prepared the way for us. On entering a synagogue it is customary to say "Mah tovu ohalecha" – "How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel. As for me, in Your great lovingkindness, I will come into Your house".
The Talmud interprets “tents” and “dwelling places” as synagogues and houses of study, the vehicles of Jewish continuity through the generations. And as the footnote at the beginning of the Artscroll siddur says: "The Jewish home achieves its highest level when it incorporates the values of the synagogue and study hall. This collection of verses expresses love and reverence for the synagogue that, in the absence of the Holy Temple, is the place where Hashem’s glory resides among Israel."
Over the past three months we have had to reimagine our homes as our places of prayer and learning – not to mention our places of Zoom meetings, home schooling or self-isolation. It has been a challenging time.
So how extraordinarily moving it is that this very verse – "Mah tovu" – appears in this week’s sedra (Torah portion). When each of us is ready to return, let us embrace Hashem’s glory and say "Mah tovu" with a renewed and deep sense of love and emotion following this long hiatus.
Rabbi Nicky Liss is Rabbi of Highgate United Synagogue and Chair of the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue. Jo Grose is the Director of Communities and Strategy at the United Synagogue.
Kids' summer plans ruined?
The Coronavirus crisis has put paid to many summer holiday plans but Tribe are on hand with their Summer Staycation 2020 camps. Bookings will open on Tuesday (July 7). The camps will be running for school Years 4, 5 and 6 and will be run in accordance with government guidelines on social distancing. Keep a look out on the Tribe website and in You&US for a whole host of activities taking place for all year groups in August too!
Can you help US Chesed?
Are you or a member of your family having difficulty in accessing our online content? If yes, US Chesed would like to help. We are launching an initiative to provide members with a laptop or tablet, as well as teaching them how to use it. Could you volunteer to either restore and clean donated laptops/tablets, or mentor anyone who may need help using these devices? If so, please contact Michelle Minsky at mminsky@theus.org.uk.
WATCH AGAIN
"Faith in my life" with Cherie Blair
Radlett's Rabbi Jonathan Hughes who heads up the United Synagogue's US in the City programme interviewed Cherie Blair last night in what was a fascinating hour and well worth a watch.
WATCH AGAIN
Rabbi Steady Cook, Round 2!
Rabbi Steady Cook was back for another course this week! Bushey's Rabbi Feldman, Mill Hill's Rabbi Schochet and Shenley's Rabbi Garber took on Belmont's reigning champion, Rabbi Levene. The Rabbis went head to head to make a burger, chips and side dish. Find out who won via the link below...
THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT!
Muswell Hill United Synagogue
welcomes you tomorrow!
This Friday at 7:00pm, join Muswell Hill's Rabbi David Mason and family for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service. Watch live on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY
New website launched
Opened in 1873, Willesden Jewish Cemetery has a long and rich history. This week the team launched their beautiful new website which delves into this history through timelines, pictures and facts, and provides a wealth of information in an accessible way.
THIS WEEK'S HUMAN OF THE US
Meet Yossi Kir-on (formerly known as Paul Kreitman)
Every week we are highlighting the stories of our members past and present to mark our 150th anniversary. Inspired by the Facebook sensation, Humans of New York, meet some of the wonderful people who make up the US.
JEWISH SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS
Certificate of Religious Practice update
One of the elements of the Admissions process for many Jewish schools is the operation of the criteria set out in Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP). Given that shuls are closed due to COVID-19, the criteria will be changed. Please read and share the short update in the link below.
BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Covid-19: The front line
Birmingham Central recently hosted a fascinating panel discussion on Covid-19, featuring local healthcare professionals who spoke candidly about being on the front line in the fight against the virus. You can watch it now via the link below.
COCKFOSTERS AND N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: Mitch Winehouse
Amy Winehouse's father, Mitchell, launched the Amy Winehouse Foundation in his daughter's memory in 2011. He will be talking about the foundation's work in preventing the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (7 July), 11am.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Wednesday Night Live
Join Edgware for a brand new series of entertaining chat shows, called 'Wednesday Night Live'. Featuring a new speaker every week, this series will begin tonight (not Wednesday!) at 8.30pm on Zoom. This week's speaker will be Ohad Zemet - don't miss it!
HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Religion after COVID-19
Join Hampstead Garden Suburb for an interfaith event featuring a panel who will be discussing religion after COVID-19 and how spiritual leaders have had to adapt to the pandemic. Tonight at 8.30pm, live on the HGSS Facebook page.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Kenton presents: Colonel Miri Eisin
Join Kenton for a fascinating talk by Colonel Miri Eisin, who spent 20 years serving in the IDF, and now teaches at IDC in Herzliya as well as being an associate at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism. Next Tuesday (7 July) at 7.30pm, live on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 353 178 2577 Password: kenton)
WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Overcoming adversity
Join Woodside Park for the last in their series of seminars on mental health and wellbeing. This week, Simon Weston CBE, a Falklands war hero and inspirational speaker, will talk about overcoming adversity. Next Wednesday (8 July) at 8pm, live on the WPS and US Facebook and YouTube pages.
BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Organ donation: opt in or opt out?
What does the new law on organ donation mean for you? What does halacha (Jewish law) say about it? Join experts in the fields of organ transplantation and Jewish law to find out more. Sunday 5 July, 8.30pm.
PINNER UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Tales from Edinburgh
Join Pinner's pop-up cafe for another week of 'Chat and Share'. Next week, Mike Stoller will be sharing his 'Tales from Edinburgh'. Live on Zoom, next Thursday (9 July) at 10.30am.
FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Black & Jewish
Join Kinloss for an urgent and important event as they host a panel of speakers to discuss 'Are we blind to racism within our community?', chaired by Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence. This Sunday (5 July) at 8.15pm.
CHIGWELL & HAINAULT UNITED SYNAGOGUE
The origins of the United Synagogue
Join Chigwell & Hainault in partnership with the Chief Rabbi's Centre for Community Excellence for 'The Origins of the United Synagogue' with Elkan Levy, former President of the US. To celebrate our 150th anniversary, Elkan will be sharing anecdotes from our early history. A week on Sunday (12 July) at 7pm, live on our Facebook and YouTube pages.
STANMORE AND CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Stanmore Academy: Karen Harris
Tonight at 8.30pm, join entrepreneur Karen Harris to discuss her story and the future of shopping. As well as being a business advisor and mentor, Karen is a former managing director of Intu Digital.
FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Kinloss presents: Rabbi David Stav
Join Kinloss to hear Rabbi David Stav, Chief Rabbi of Shoham and chairman of Tzohar. He will be discussing the personal, national and religious impact of Covid-19. Wednesday 8 July, 8.15pm.
NEW WEST END UNITED SYNAGOGUE
A Jewsical journey
Join singer Marc Joseph for an evening of musical theatre with a Jewish twist as you’ve never heard it before. Marc will explore his journey from the showbiz world of musical theatre to becoming a Chazan at the New West End Synagogue. Watch live on YouTube on Monday (6 July), 8pm.
RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Krav Maga
Everyone is welcome to join Richmond's new self-defence course beginning on Monday (6 July). They're partnering with American Krav Maga experts, StandStrong USA. It's free and all are welcome.
ENFIELD & WINCHMORE HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
How does your garden grow?
Enfield's Michael Pulver tends the shul garden and redoubled his efforts in lockdown working 8am-4pm every weekday. Passers-by stop for a chat and photo. One woman was so impressed she fetched her vicar. The community look forward to returning to shul and being welcomed by a beautiful garden. Apparently Michael has both an impressive tan and muscles!
WHAT'S ON?
Online events
Our synagogues may be closed but our communities are open! See what virtual events are happening in our communities every week by checking out the United Synagogue events portal. All welcome!
BOARD OF DEPUTIES
Community Briefing
Read the Board's latest community briefing.
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