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London: 19:33

Birmingham: 19:38

Hull: 19:34

Sheffield: 19:38

Southport: 19:44

Jerusalem: 18:24

London: 20:34

Birmingham: 20:43

Hull: 20:45

Sheffield: 20:48

Southport: 20:56

Jerusalem: 19:39

The UK times listed above are for cities with United Synagogue communities.

You can read our weekly Daf Hashavua by clicking here.

Thursday 31 August, 2023

The question is asked in the Jerusalem Talmud: “What is the most important verse of the entire Torah?” Ben Azzai answers: “Bereishit (Genesis) 5:1, which reads: ‘This is the book of the generations of Man on the day that God created Mankind, in the image of God He formed him’.”

 

Ben Azzai was highlighting the fact that every human being is created in the image of God. Consequently, we have an achrayut, responsibility, towards those who are both inside and outside our immediate communities.

 

Following the Chief Rabbi's first-hand experience of the vital work of Jewish charities on a visit to India with Valerie in 2015, he created the Ben Azzai Programme, and named it in recognition of Ben Azzai’s choice of verse.

 

The Office of the Chief Rabbi is delighted to announce the launch of a new Ben Azzai Programme in partnership with World Jewish Relief.

 

The programme is for Jewish students currently enrolled on a course at a university or college or taking part in an apprenticeship. It will run from November 2023 – January 2024 and will include a unique opportunity to visit to Rwanda to understand the role of international development and empowerment in communities affected by poverty and climate change, learning from World Jewish Relief’s partners on the ground.

 

The participants will join previous Ben Azzai Programme alumni as social responsibility ambassadors and will be expected to share their Ben Azzai experiences across the Jewish community and beyond, in schools, communities and on campus.

 

The participation fee is £300. To apply, click here. For more information, please click here, or contact Felicity on felicity@chiefrabbi.org or 020 8343 6301.

Midnight Selichot

 

Selichot, or penitentiary prayers, are recited in the run up to Rosh Hashanah and then onwards to Yom Kippur. There is a tradition for the first night of selichot to be marked in a special way, with singing and an address. A number of our communities are holding uplifting and inspiring selichot services on motza'ei Shabbat, Saturday 9 September or on Sunday morning.  and all are welcome. You can see a long list in the Community section below.

 

You can watch explanatory selichot on TheUS.tv and follow last year's Choral Midnight Selichot with the Shabbaton Choir at Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue here.

Maintain your loved one's grave

 

The final resting place of our loved ones deserves to be well cared for and maintained in a way that respects their memory. The United Synagogue Burial Society wants to help make sure that every grave is preserved in a dignified condition through our Burial Society Care Programme.

The programme includes regular inspections ensuring time and nature have not damaged the memorial and twice yearly cleaning to remove dirt, algae and lichen that can stain and damage an untended stone. Click here for more details.

More disposable-free communities

 

Last week's You&US about the government's plastic ban generated a huge amount of interest. Hundreds of readers were keen to see which communities have gone disposable-free and read our guide on how to phase out disposables.

 

This week we are delighted to share that both Birmingham Central United Synagogue and Palmers Green and Southgate Synagogue have also got rid of all disposables in their shuls and we apologise they were not included on our original list. A shout-out to Barnet United Synagogue, who while not completely disposable-free, have got rid of all single-use plastics.

Shabbat shalom,

 

Richard Verber

Communications Director

United Synagogue

We need your teddies!

Help us make a real difference to the lives of young patients. This year US Chesed is supporting The Toy Drop by sending gently-used children's toys, books, dolls and small teddies to distressed communities and hospital patients in the Philippines. The gifts will be distributed at hospital clinics so each patient has their little cuddly friend to hold on to throughout their treatment journey. Be a part of something special this Elul. Gather your donations and drop them off at our office in North Finchley (Monday-Thursday, 8am-6pm) before Thursday 21 September.

For more information please email US Chesed's Hannah Gerson.

Writers' Retreat at Willesden Jewish Cemetery

Calling all writers! Join Willesden Jewish Cemetery for a unique experience at their Writers' Retreat. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this historic cemetery. Whether you are a student finishing a dissertation, writing a funding application or a creative writer, they have a beautiful, quiet and warm space to support your writing away from your usual distractions.

The retreat will be facilitated by Professor Nadia Valman and will take place from 6-9 November.  You are welcome to join us for as many days as you like.

For more information, just click the link below!

ELUL OPENING HOURS FOR VISITS

Visiting times for US Cemeteries

There is a widespread custom to visit the grave of a loved one ahead of the Yamim Noraim, the High Holy Days. Many of our cemeteries are open this Sunday and next. Click the link for full details.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

Head Volunteer Gardener

Are you passionate about preserving natural beauty and historical landscapes? The Heritage Team at Willesden Jewish Cemetery is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join their team as the Head Volunteer Gardener. Find out more by clicking the link below.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Music from the High Holydays

Join Edgware for a wonderful musical evening as six Edgware members share the musical items that they look forward to over the High Holydays. Tuesday 5 September at 8pm. Zoom details can be found by clicking the link below.

STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Call of the Shofar

Join Stanmore & Canons Park together with Mizrachi UK for an uplifting evening of stirring music, imagery and themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, in memory of Gena Turgel MBE. Wednesday 6 September at 8pm. Book your place by clicking here.

PINNER UNITED SYNAGOGUE

An evening with Rob Rinder

Join Pinner for an evening with Rob Rinder, who will be in conversation with David Roth. Tuesday 5 September at 8:15pm. Tickets cost £25 including refreshments. Buy your tickets now by clicking here.

CRANBROOK, CHIGWELL & HAINAULT, WOODFORD FOREST SYNAGOGUES

Communal Selichot

Join Cranbrook, Chigwell & Hainault, and Woodford Forest for Communal Selichot on 9 September at 11:15pm. The service will take place in Cranbrook United Synagogue.

NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

From Bee to Jar

Join Northwood as they hear from David Roth, a beekeeper, who will be talking about the life cycle of a bee, the process of collecting honey from the hives, and more. There will also be a tasting of some KLBD-certified honeys. Tuesday 12 September at 7:45pm,

BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Navigating mental health

Join Borehamwood & Elstree together with The OLLIE Foundation and The Oli Leigh Trust as they help parents and teens speak openly about mental health and feelings of suicide. Thursday 7 September. Book your place by clicking here.

WHAT'S ON?

Other online and in-person events

We've got lots of great events taking place online and in person! See what events are happening in our communities every week by checking out the United Synagogue events portal.

BOARD OF DEPUTIES

Community Briefing

Read the Board's latest community briefing.

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