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

Thursday 20 May, 2021

On Sunday we heard the awful news that Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, the Assistant Rabbi at Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue, had been the victim of a vicious attack by two men that left him hospitalised.

 

We are pleased to say that Rabbi Goodwin was discharged from hospital and is making a steady recovery. Two suspects have now been arrested.

 

Lindsay Shure, Chair of Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue, told us: "Following the attack on Rabbi Rafi, we have been so moved by the support we have received from the local community, particularly on the estate where the attack took place. We have had an enormous number of goodwill messages via Facebook, email, letter and in person and there have been flowers left outside the shul for the Goodwins. In addition, a hamper of food is being delivered to them, together with cards wishing him well.

 

"We have also been contacted by many local faith leaders across all faiths, all saying how upset they were by this terrible incident and offering their support. The community would like to thank the Police who helped us out greatly over the festival of Shavuot and all the well-wishers for their support, help and concern at this difficult time.

 

"It is important to us as a community that something good comes out of this incident. I will be making sure we work much more closely with all of the local communities, by doing something like collaborating on a volunteering project, working together to promote better understanding across all faiths and communities."

 

Rabbi Baruch Davis, Senior Rabbi of Chigwell & Hainault, said: "We all felt tremendous emotion when Rabbi Rafi was able to come to shul on second day yom tov and bensch gomel (say the thanksgiving prayer). Please continue to continue to pray for Rabbi Rafi's recovery. His Hebrew name is Harav Yirmiyahu Pesach ben Kreina Devorah. If you'd like to send a message of support, please just reply to this email and we'll pass them all on."

 

All of us at the United Synagogue send Rabbi Rafi, his wife, family and the Chigwell & Hainault community our very best wishes at this difficult time.

Tonight: Am Yisrael Chai - We stand with Israel

Sunday: Solidarity with Israel rally

 

It has been a tough week for Jews in this country. Antisemitic attacks have risen, including shocking images of drivers racing through Jewish areas of North London shouting words I cannot possibly repeat in this email. The police have made a number of arrests and the incidents have been roundly condemened by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. In Borehamwood, two families reported having their mezuzot ripped from their front doors in racially motivated vandalism.

 

Please report all antisemitic incidents or suspicious activity to CST and to the police – please see the CST's details of how to report an incident. In an emergency call 999 and the CST 24/7 emergency number 0800 032 3263.

 

Tonight, please join communities across the UK and Israel for an evening of prayer, chizuk (support), and solidarity. In partnership with our friends at Mizrachi UK we will be addressed by and pray with the Chief Rabbi, Dayan Binstock, the Israeli Ambassador, Lt. Col. Chazan Shai Abramson, Rabbi Doron Perez, Rabbi Dr Yehuda Altshuler, Rabbi Nicky Liss and Sivan Rahav Meir. Watch at 8.00pm via this link and available on demand afterwards.

 

And on Sunday, the Zionist Federation and partners will be holding a Solidarity with Israel rally adjacent to the Israeli Embassy on Kensington High Street from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. Flags and placards will be distributed.
The rally is being closely coordinated with the CST and Metropolitan Police. Details are here.

Will you step up for Jewish students?

 

Jewish students are also feeling the impact of the Gaza conflict on campus with many being made to feel unwelcome. Students have reported feeling anxious while others have been targeted for abuse. 

 

University Jewish Chaplaincy is there to support students at times like these. The United Synagogue is a long-standing funder and supporter of University Jewish Chaplaincy and of Jewish students. This weekend Chaplaincy is holding an urgent fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 to enable it to continue to offer pastoral support to Jewish students facing challenges on campus. Chaplains are there 24/7 helping our young people with mental health concerns, fighting antisemitism and providing a warm Jewish home away from home. Click here to read more.

Shabbat shalom,

 

Richard Verber

Communications Director,

United Synagogue

Why did King Solomon have 60 warriors surround his bed every evening? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.

 

In addition, continuing our series with Jewish News profiling United Synagogue Rebbetzens and female educators, click here to read this week's D'var Torah by Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson, Golders Green Synagogue's Community Rebbetzen.

Welcome to 'Tell US', where we invite you to contribute a joke, a poem or a story. This week's contribution is by Andee Goldman.

 

Israel is my home

 

Israel is my home

I wasn't born here

I didn't grow up here

But Israel is my home

 

I am the daughter of Abraham Moses

I lived most of my life in the Diaspora

Yet, I gave up my life in America

To make Israel my home

 

I am a person with values

I care about life

My family, friends and neighbors

Israel is my home

 

To those who came before me

You had the fortitude and courage

To build cities, towns and farms

Israel is your home

 

To those who are trying to find the way home

The first step is the hardest

Take control of your destiny

Israel welcomes you home.

 

To those who come after me,

Appreciate your legacy,

Continue to grow and build

Israel is YOUR home!

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