London: 15:43 Birmingham: 15:43 Sheffield: 15:36 Southport: 15:40 Jerusalem: 15:55 London: 16:50 Birmingham: 16:54 Sheffield: 16:53 Southport: 16:59 Jerusalem: 17:14 Four Rabbis. 32 doughnuts. 32 latkes. 32 minutes. What could possibly go wrong?
The popular Rabbi Steady Cook is back for a festive edition and this time it's regional. Carrying the hopes of London on his shoulders is Belmont United's Rabbi Marc Levene. Representing mighty Manchester is Rabbi Daniel Walker of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. Flying the flag for the White Rose is Chazan Alby Chait of United Hebrew Congregation Leeds. And hoping the Toon Army will carry him to victory is Rabbi Aaron Lipsey of the United Hebrew Congregation of Newcastle.
Each will be asked to fry and decorate 8 beautiful doughnuts and 8 tasty latkes in just 32 minutes.
But there can be only one winner. Who will be crowned champion of the deep fat fryer? Join comedian and host Ashley Blaker next Wednesday at 8pm live on TheUS.tv to find out.
We're going back to shul...again!
We're delighted that the government has now confirmed that places of worship will be permitted once again to hold religious services when the latest lockdown is lifted. We expect that services will be able to resume following the same careful restrictions we have had in place for some months, including masks and social distancing.
We also look forward to resuming other aspects of community life in a Covid-compliant manner and, in particular, we are exploring creative ways in which communities can come together outdoors. Of course, much of the detail depends on the Tier level in each area which was announced earlier today and we will be sharing updated United Synagogue guidance in response to this in the coming days. Your community will be able to confirm local arrangements next week.
VOTE for your favourite doughnut!
More than 300 entries have come flooding in for our 'Design a Doughnut' competition with Carmelli Bakery in Golders Green and the Jewish News. The judges have whittled them down to a top five: Whisky, Black Forest Gateau, Nachos & Cheese, Apple Crumnut and Marmite & caramel. Which gets your vote?
The winning entry will be turned into a real doughnut by Carmelli’s and sold in the bakery over Chanukah. Voting is open now via www.theus.org.uk/doughnuts. The poll will close on Tuesday 1 December and we'll announce the winner live on Rabbi Steady Cook on Wednesday.
Memorial for Rabbi Lord Sacks zt'l
Last Thursday evening we held an online memorial for Rabbi Sacks zt'l. If you missed the moving film, or would like to watch again, you can watch now via TheUS.tv. Thousands of people have seen it. Thank you so much for the dozens of wonderful messages you've sent in. We were so sad to have to do it but are pleased it has been able to bring some comfort to so many people at this difficult time.
A special Kabbalat Shabbat
The Knesset (Israeli parliament) designates November 30 each year as a day to mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from Arab Countries and Iran and we are dedicating our Kabbalat Shabbat tomorrow afternoon to this initiative. Rabbi Aharon Zerbib of Northwood United Synagogue will lead the service with a short address by Edwin Shuker, Vice President of the Board of Deputies and a Woodside Park Synagogue member. Watch live tomorrow at 2.40pm on TheUS.tv. Shabbat shalom,
Richard Verber Communications Director United Synagogue Watch our wonderful simcha concert Last night we teamed up with the wonderful Eitan Freilich and Luis Herszaft. Hundreds of people tuned in for a live concert. We put on a party for all our members who have had a simcha affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was uplifting and life-affirming as we sang along and enjoyed live guests including Bat mitzvah girl Racheli, Bar mitzvah boy Doron and 80th birthday Linda. Even the Chief Rabbi swung by to wish everyone mazal tov! Enter our Drawing Competition! Tribe are looking for your tasty doughnut designs! Draw your ideas on the sheet which can be found via the link below, then send your artwork to Tomor Belovski via tomorbelovski@tribeuk.com. Tell us your name, age and school and you could win a big box of doughnuts! The winning entries will also be published in the Jewish News and there are Junior and Secondary school categories. The closing date is Wednesday 2 December. Good luck! TRIBE Tribe's Great Chanukah Drive In Join Tribe for the Great Chanukah Drive In and communal candle lighting: an event for all the family. Enjoy live entertainment, music and Chanukah festivities all from your car! The event is FREE but registration is essential. Sunday 13 December, 6.00-6.45pm in a NW London location which will be advised on booking.
TRIBE AND YOUNG US Escape room: live! Tribe and Young US have partnered with JRoots to bring you a Chanukah-themed virtual escape room. Teams face a number of challenges and puzzles to unlock different rooms against the clock, whilst visiting places in Israel connected to the Chanukah story. The escape rooms are running from 6-9 December for different ages. Join in groups of 6 or we can place you in a team! COOKING SHOW 'Slow Roast Jacob's Ladder' Join Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue’s Rabbi Yaacov Finn as he cooks his way through the book of Bereishit! Each week Rabbi Finn will be bringing you a delicious new recipe to try. This week is 'Slow Roast Jacob’s Ladder' - watch it by clicking the link below. WE NEED YOU! Be part of an exciting new video series! Want to feature in our exciting new Chanukah video series? We are looking for people from different age groups to participate. Each participant will be sent eight questions to film themselves answering. Please email Rebecca Harris by clicking the link below. THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT! Northwood United Synagogue welcomes you tomorrow! This Friday at 2:40pm, join Northwood's Rabbi Aharon Zerbib and Edwin Shuker, Vice President of the Board of Deputies and Woodside Park member, for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service. Watch live on TheUS.tv and on Facebook. STUDY IN ISRAEL UJIA Yeshiva and Seminary Fair Join UJIA on Sunday 29 November for their online Yeshiva and Seminary Fair for anybody interested in a Jewish Studies experience in Israel in 2021. Register via the button below. Please contact your local US Rabbi or email us us at info@tribeuk.com if you would like to discuss your yeshiva and seminary options with our rabbinic or Israel teams! Why isn't there a parsha called 'Ya'akov'? Click here to watch or read this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi. FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE Lessons for the youth Join Kinloss for 'Lessons for the youth' - an hour of learning for years 7-13 in memory of Rabbi Lord Sacks z"l, featuring three keynote speakers and community speakers. Motza'ei Shabbat 28 November at 6pm. To register for the event, please click here. THE 18TH ISAIAH BERLIN ANNUAL LECTURE Hampstead presents: Philippe Sands Professor Philippe Sands QC will deliver the 18th Isaiah Berlin Annual Lecture on "East and West, to the Ratline, and Beyond: On Memory and Identity" on Sunday 6 December at 8 pm over Zoom. Pre-registration is essential by Tuesday 1 December via the link and the Zoom link will be sent out 24 hours before. MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE Flashpoints in Jewish history Join Mill Hill for their new series 'Flashpoints in Jewish history', where they will analyse the Jewish people's pivotal role during times of enlightenment, the search for equality and the creation of the state of Israel. Mondays at 8.30pm on Zoom. COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE CLC presents: Geoffrey Feld Geoffrey Feld’s parents started in the hotel business in 1949 when they bought the Cumberland, and after joining the family business in 1969, Geoffrey’s company also acquired the Majestic. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (1 December), 11am. HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE 25 for 25 Join Hampstead together with JW3 for '25 for 25: an international day of online Jewish learning', to celebrate Rabbi Dr Michael Harris's 25 years as rabbi of Hampstead Synagogue. Learn with some of Modern Orthodoxy's greatest educators. Sunday 29 November, 10am-5.30pm.
Welcome to 'Tell US', our new section where we invite you to contribute a joke, a poem or a story. We look forward to turning the spotlight on your literary creations over the coming weeks and months!
This week's contribution is by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen.
Covid-19: Who do you think you are?
I don’t want you, Covid! I didn’t invite you in! I don’t know who sent you; You just get under my skin!
And who named you, ‘Covid,’ When that’s just the thing you lack; For there’s surely no Covid* In your murderous attack?
Worse still, it’s the aged Whom you put at greatest risk, And whose suffering appears to be The most acute and brisk.
And don’t think you’re so clever, Or the new kid on the block; ‘Cos you’ve had antecedents, grievous as hemlock.
Since the plagues of Pharaoh’s Egypt, Whose firstborn sons were felled, With life wholly disrupted Wherever families dwelled, There’ve been countless outbreaks— Pandemics to boot— Leaving millions of fatalities, And countless destitute...
To continue reading this poem, please click here.
Please send your submissions to youandus@theus.org.uk.
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