London: 17:38 Birmingham: 17:40 Hull: 17:30 Sheffield: 17:36 Southport: 17:41 Jerusalem: 17:19 London: 18:39 Birmingham: 18:44 Hull: 18:40 Sheffield: 18:44 Southport: 18:51 Jerusalem: 18:35 You can find details of this week's Torah reading, Maftir and Haftarah in our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here. Thursday 21 October, 2021
This Tuesday (20 Cheshvan) is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt’’l. I can't believe it's been a year. We were left reeling from his untimely passing and his loss was felt well beyond the confines of the Jewish community.
As I wrote at the time, Rabbi Sacks was a rabbi and a leader, a father and a grandfather, a husband and a brother. He was a teacher of us all. But the Torah he shared with us will continue to be taught across the world for generations to come and will endure.
My personal relationship with Rabbi Sacks started when he became Chief Rabbi. Lara and I had recently got married. By the time his five “Studies in Renewal” booklets were published in 1993, the first of our four daughters had been born. His clarity of thinking, emphasising that "the latest research confirms our most ancient insight: continuity depends on education" and "the defence of an identity is not military or political but educational" laid the foundations to how we have tried to live our lives, bring up our children and contribute to the Jewish world.
With this in mind, there are many wonderful United Synagogue community learning programmes taking place to mark Rabbi Sacks’ yahrzeit and we list all of the ones we’ve been told about in the 'Spotlight on our communities' section below – please do take a look and ask your community what they are doing.
As Rabbi Piny Hackenbroch, Chair of the Rabbinic Council of the United Synagogue, said: “As we approach the first yahrzeit of former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks zt’’l, the Rabbis and Rebbetzens of the United Synagogue are proud to be participating in ‘Communities in Conversation’ in his memory. “Rabbi Sacks was an outstanding Rabbinic leader, mentor, teacher and role model of our generation. He was revered and admired as a trailblazer in how he taught and inspired our community by making Judaism relevant and resonate in contemporary society.
“At his 1991 induction ceremony, he said that he hoped to lead to a revitalisation of British Jewry, embracing a “love of every Jew, love of learning [Torah], love of God, a profound contribution to British society and an unequivocal attachment to Israel.” He made an enormous impact in the way he strove to achieve this sacred task and challenged us all to do likewise. May we be privileged to continue and deepen the impact of this work.”
On behalf of everyone at the United Synagogue, we wish Chayim aruchim, long life, to Elaine, Joshua, Dina, Gila, Rabbi Sacks’ brothers and the whole family.
Remembering Rabbi Sacks
In this week’s Daf Hashavua, Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski, Senior Rabbi of Golders Green Synagogue where Rabbi Sacks and Lady Elaine moved to after he stepped down as Chief Rabbi, shares some personal reflections. Click here to read it.
The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust held the Inaugural Sacks Conversation this month featuring The Rt Hon Tony Blair and Matthew d’Ancona who discussed the continuing impact of Rabbi Sacks’ teachings and ideas on public policy and society today. Click here to watch the event.
Last year we made a short film to mark the tragic passing of Rabbi Sacks. Contributors include the Sacks family, the Chief Rabbi and friends and colleagues who knew Rabbi Sacks well. Click here to watch it.
Sir David Amess
Last week's news of the murder of Sir David Amess was horrific and chilling. Democracy is a cherished right and one we can never take for granted. As the Chief Rabbi said, such an attack on an elected parliamentarian is an attack on the whole country.
I know all US members and colleagues will join me in sending condolences to Sir David's family who are in our prayers. Shabbat shalom,
Michael Goldstein President United Synagogue New updates from KLBD McCain products are no longer approved by KLBD. Remaining stock sold in kosher shops and bearing a KLBD and MKL sticker is still KLBD/MKL certified. Some products are certified by SKA when bearing their logo on the packaging. The Second Update to The Really Jewish Food Guide 2021 is now available to download by clicking here. For more KLBD news, including updates about Cadbury Bournville and Ella's Kitchen 7+ Rice Pudding Mangoes & Apples, click the link below. CRP course for parents and children Join Tribe for a 6-part online series exploring a variety of Jewish topics including Shabbat, Kashrut, prayer and more. The next CRP course begins on Wednesday 24 November, and completing all six 30-minute sessions ensures you qualify for your points in section 5 of the CRP form. All sessions will take place on Zoom. KLBD COMPETITION Last chance to enter our competition! Tomorrow is the last day to enter our exclusive prize draw! You could win one of three huge, fabulous KLBD Goodie Boxes filled with over 30 delicious KLBD-certified products! To see how to enter, click link below. The prize draw closes at 12pm tomorrow and the winners will be announced in You&US on next week. Good luck! WATCH NOW Jewish Green Voices The United Synagogue in partnership with the Office of the Chief Rabbi hosted a panel event titled 'Jewish Green Voices: our community and eco-activism'. Panellists included Rabbi David Mason, Talia Chain, and Jonny Waxman. The event was moderated by Michelle Janes. Watch it again by clicking the link below. TRIBE Gap Year welcome BBQ Tribe's Israel Team recently welcomed Gap Year students studying in Israel for the year to a fabulous BBQ in Jerusalem. It was a great way for them to meet up with old and new friends, and to introduce the Tribe Israel Leadership programme. You can see pictures by clicking the link below. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP! The US in your pocket Join our WhatsApp group right now to receive a weekly dose of Torah, regular short Jewish thoughts and inspiring insights straight to your phone! You can join by clicking this link from your device. Please note, as with all WhatsApp groups, your phone number may be visible to other group members. YOUNG US Friday Night Dinner Together with Finchley United Synagogue, Young US will be hosting a fantastic Friday Night Dinner, with Kabbalat Shabbat, Kiddush and Cocktails, and Shabbat Dinner. Book your place now by clicking the link below! Friday 29 October at 6:30pm, at Finchley United Synagogue. IN PERSON LEARNING TONIGHT Student Bet Midrash All secondary school and university students are welcome to join us tonight for a chaburah in memory of Rabbi Sacks zt"l. There is no booking necessary, and the learning will take place tonight at Finchley United Synagogue. More details can be found by clicking the link below. ISAIAH BERLIN ANNUAL LECTURE Baroness Hale of Richmond Join Hampstead for the 19th Isaiah Berlin Annual Lecture, which will be delivered by Baroness Hale of Richmond (President of the Supreme Court, 2017-2020). The lecture will be titled 'Is there anything wrong with rights?' and will take place on Sunday 24 October at 8pm on Zoom. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Daytime volunteers needed! Some of our amazing US Chesed projects had to be put on hold during the pandemic but we’re thrilled we’re now able to restart them! We are blessed with some fantastic volunteers, but now we need more of you! We need volunteer cooks, waiters, drivers, packers and sorters. To see full details of the opportunities, click the link below! Why is being kind not good enough? Find out in this week's Dvar Torah by the Chief Rabbi!
And Rebbetzen Rachie Lister, the Senior Rebbetzen of Edgware United Synagogue explores the "power of infectious goodness" in this week's Jewish News. HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE The Life & Legacy of Rabbi Lord Sacks Join Hendon for an evening of reflection and inspiration on the life and legacy of Rabbi Lord Sacks zt''l. The speakers are Rabbi Ginsbury, and Joanna Bennaroch and Dan Sacker of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust. Sunday 24 October at 7.45pm. Details via the link below. ST JOHN'S WOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Z"L Join St John's Wood for an evening of learning, music and words of inspiration, commemorating the first Yartzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Z"L. Wednesday 27 October at 8pm. Book now by clicking here. HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE Violent Biblical Texts Join Hampstead as they hear from Rabbi Dr Michael Harris, whose talk titled 'Violent Biblical Texts in the Thought of Rabbi Sacks' will be a part of 'Communities in Conversation'. Monday 25 October at 8pm, live on Zoom. The Zoom link can be found by clicking the link below. CHIGWELL & HAINAULT UNITED SYNAGOGUE Rabbi Sacks on Community Join Rabbi Baruch Davis' tribute shiur titled 'Rabbi Sacks on Community'. This is part of the 'Communities in Conversation' initiative - learning in the merit of Rabbi Sacks zt'l on his first Yahrzeit. Monday 25 October at 8:30pm, live on Zoom. SOUTH HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE The Positive Speech Movement South Hampstead Synagogue, together with Women, Wellness & Wisdom, is hosting the Positive Speech movement - a 30-day project in memory of Jenny Morhaim (nee Hamilton) OBM, and inspired by Rabbi Sacks, focusing on the power of positive speech. It starts on Sunday 24 October - sign up by clicking the link below. COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE Dr Noemie Lopian & Derek Niemann In a highly unusual and indeed possibly unique partnership Dr Noemie Lopian, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, has teamed up with Derek Niemann, the grandson of an SS officer to share their stories as a warning of the perils of extremism and to inspire greater understanding. Tuesday 26 October at 11am. ST JOHN'S WOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE Chazanut concert Join St John's Wood for a Chazanut concert in memory of Jerry Goldstein, featuring guest Chazanim Yanky and Shulem Lemmer, together with Chazan Avromi Freilich. Sunday 14 November at St John's Wood Synagogue. Buy your tickets by clicking here. NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE Mindfulness - Morning Thoughts Join Northwood as they hear from Elissa Benjamin, a fully qualified Life Coach. Elissa will be speaking about morning thoughts, how we start our days, and the power these thoughts have on impacting the day ahead. Wednesday 27 October at 8pm, live on Zoom. This email was sent with love from the United Synagogue. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe here |