London: 19:44

Birmingham: 19:50

Hull: 19:47

Sheffield: 19:51

Southport: 19:57

Jerusalem: 18:29

London: 20:51

Birmingham: 21:00

Hull: 21:05

Sheffield: 21:07

Southport: 21:15

Jerusalem: 19:47

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

The funeral of Prince Philip takes place on Saturday and everyone at the United Synagogue sends Her Majesty the Queen and all the Royal Family our condolences.

It was extremely poignant being in shul last Shabbat when the Prayer for the Royal Family was read without Prince Philip's name. This is the first time in nearly twenty years, since the passing of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, that we have had to remove a name from the prayer.

Prince Philip, as Royal Consort for more than 70 years has, together with the Queen, been a constant for generations of United Synagogue members and their families, the wider Jewish community and the nation at large.

You may know that Prince Philip attended the centenary celebrations of the United Synagogue in 1970 together with the Queen and he will be remembered for his tireless work supporting many charities and for his leadership on issues such as the welfare of young people and the environment.

As Jews we are commanded to leave the world a better place than how we found it. Prince Philip's record of championing good causes means he has certainly done just that. He earned the affection of our community and the nation and will be sorely missed. We wish chayim aruchim, long life, to the Queen and the Royal Family.

You can read the Chief Rabbi's moving statement here and listen to his thoughts on Radio 4 here.

Choose your own Cheesecake

Today we launch a brand new competition in partnership with Jewish News and COCO Bakery in Golders Green, a new KLBD licensee. We need YOU to come up with a brand new flavour of cheesecake! The top 5 entries will be put to a public vote and the winning entry will be made and sold at COCO Bakery ahead of Shavuot.

The winner will not only get to take home their fabulous new cheesecake, but will receive a gift voucher to spend in the bakery too.

COCO Bakery have also generously agreed to make a donation to US Chesed from the sales of the winning cheesecake and we thank them for their generous support.

You can enter right now via www.theus.org.uk/cheesecake where you'll also find a link to our full terms and conditions.

There is much more to the wonderful festival of Shavuot, of course, and you’ll be able to watch a wonderful range of programmes ahead of the festival on TheUS.tv, our on-demand video platform.

Chag Atzmaut Sameach!

Happy 73rd birthday, Israel! Today is Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. There's still time to watch a wonderfully inspiring musical Hallel with South Hampstead and Tribe's Rabbi Eli Levin with insights from Rebbetzen Lauren Levin. Click here to watch.

Many people will have seen Rabbi Sacks zt'l teaching Torah, dancing and singing on Yom Ha'atzmaut. In partnership with Koren Publishers, join Rabbi Michael Laitner as we explore the themes in Rabbi Sacks' teachings about Israel. Click here to watch.

Last night we were proud to broadcast Bnei Akiva's annual Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut service, usually held at Finchley United Synagogue. Click here to watch it on TheUS.tv.

Shabbat shalom,

Michael Goldstein

President,

United Synagogue

New KLBD e-cookbook!

We are thrilled to announce that our friends over at KLBD have some out with a brand new 'KLBD-V' cookbook, available exclusively online. All of the recipes in the cookbook are vegetarian or vegan, and in some cases also gluten free. The recipes are provided by over 30 KLBD certified companies, and there is also the full KLBD Bug Checking Chart at the back of the recipe book. You can download the cookbook now by clicking the link below. Tell us what recipes you make!

New kosher products!

We've got more exciting kosher news with the launch of a number of new kosher product this week. Warburtons White & Wholemeal Soft Pittas are now KLBD Certified Parev, with logo. Geeta's Curry Pastes, Sweet & Spicy Mango Sauce and Zesty Mango & Lime Sauce are now KLBD Certified Parev, no logo. And Rowse ChocoBee Chocolate Spread (340g glass jar) is KLBD certified Parev, no logo. You can read more about these products via the link below!

WATCH AGAIN

Lunch & Learn

Want to appreciate the deeper meaning of the weekly Torah portion? Looking for a nice Dvar Torah to share at the Shabbat table? Catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Michael Laitner, who delved into this week's Parasha, Tazria-Metzora. Watch via the link below.

ORDER YOUR MACHZOR NOW

From Exile Towards Redemption

From Exile Towards Redemption is a ground-breaking machzor for Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. This machzor is produced by the United Synagogue and Koren Publishers, and is available to order by clicking the link below.

WATCH NOW

Vayikra Variety

Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn continues to cook his way through the Parshiot – now we are onto the Book of Vayikra. Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try! This week is double chocolate chip cookies - watch it by clicking the link below.

TEXT-BASED LEARNING

The Matmid Programme

Join us for the Matmid programme, community text-based learning with the participation of the Dayanim of the London Beth Din. A brand-new series studying mourning will begin next week. To join, please email Rabbi Daniel Fine.

What is the Torah view on 'cancel culture'? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.

for more Torah content, click here to read out Daf Hashavua

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Nigel Salomon

Join Kenton as they hear from Nigel Salomon, Chief Executive of the British Friends of the Hebrew University, which promotes the University to raise funds in support of student scholarships, research projects and other activities. Monday 19 April at 8pm, live on Zoom.

ST ALBANS UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Annual Quiz Night

St Albans United Synagogue's popular annual quiz supper is back - this year on Zoom. Form a team, not a table, and debate your answers in your own team breakout room. Sunday 18 April at 7:30pm. Register now and buy a raffle ticket by clicking the link below.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Big Israel Quiz

Join Muswell Hill for 'The Big Israel Muswell Hill Quiz' to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, with some delicious Israeli food from Jasmine catering delivered directly to your door. Sunday 18 April at 8pm.To book and buy raffle tickets, please click here.

MAGEN AVOT UNITED SYNAGOGUE

ISResilience: meet the authors

In honour of Yom Ha'atzmaut, join Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg who will be in conversation with Michael Dickson and Dr Naomi L. Baum, the authors of 'ISResilience: What Israelis can teach the world'. Tuesday 20 April at 8pm on Zoom. Book now by clicking the link below.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: Julia Fox Garrison

Join Edgware as they hear from Julia Fox Garrison, a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, healthcare advocate, and bestselling author. Her talk will be titled 'Livestreamed from America: Regaining control of your life after a stroke'. Tuesday 20 April at 8pm, live on Zoom.

KENTON AND BUSHEY UNITED SYNAGOGUES

'My Life as a Nazi Hunter'

Join Kenton and Bushey as they hear from Dr Efraim Zuroff, a historian and Nazi hunter who has played a key role in bringing indicted Nazi and fascist war criminals to trial, for his talk titled 'My Life as a Nazi Hunter'. Wednesday 21 April at 7:30pm, live on Zoom.

STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

'Israeli Spy' lectures

In honour of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Stanmore & Canons Park Zoom presents two revealing 'Israeli Spy' lectures: 'Betrayals in Espionage' with Saar Kadmon on Sunday 25 April, and 'From Mossad to Hollywood' with Avner Avraham on Sunday 2 May, both at 8pm.

BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Job searching during Covid-19

Join Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue for an informative panel discussion on job searching and skills training for everyone, from school leavers to those with experience during this difficult time. Monday 19 April at 8pm, live on Zoom.

HENDON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Tah Sh'ma

Hendon's acclaimed and though-provoking learning initiative is back with a brand-new series of Wednesday morning sessions led by popular guest speakers. Starting on Wednesday 22 April with Rabbi Binstock’s Shiur: “Can you use someone’s Zoom Room without permission?”

WOODSIDE PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

WPS presents: Jimmy Gittins

Join Rabbi Piny and Gila Hackenbroch as they talk to the courageous Jimmy Gittins, who will be sharing his story from Rugby League to (hand) cycling Lands End to John O'Groats as a quadraplegic. Monday 19 April at 8pm, live on Facebook and YouTube.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

CLC presents: Mike Levy

Mike Levy is a Lead Researcher at the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, educator with the Holocaust Education Trust and researcher at Keystage Arts and Heritage. He will be talking about the Forgotten Heroes of the Kindertransport. Tuesday 20 April at 11am.

FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Dr Abi Greenwood Gewirtz

Join Kinloss as they hear from Dr Abi Greenwood Gewirtz, a world renowned parenting expert and professor at the University of Minnesota, and learn tools to help your children through this challenging time. Wednesday 28 April at 8pm. Book now by clicking here.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: Rabbi Sarna

Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, Executive Director of the Bronfman Center at NYU, University Chaplain, and Chief Rabbi of the UAE. Wednesday 21 April at 8pm, live on Zoom.

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.