London: 15:36
Birmingham: 15:35
Sheffield: 15:29
Southport: 15:33
Jerusalem: 15:56
London: 16:45
Birmingham: 16:49
Sheffield: 16:49
Southport: 16:54
Jerusalem: 17:16
On Friday afternoon, light Chanukah candles followed by Shabbat candles before the relevant time listed above. Chanukah candles should burn for at least 30 minutes after nightfall (i.e. 30 minutes after the time Shabbat goes out, e.g. until 17:15 in London) so you may need to use longer candles or tealights!
Tonight is the first night of Chanukah and we wish you and your families a Chanukah sameach. We've put a short guide together which you can read here and we've got more resources on our website which you can access here. Check out our three-part Chanukah lecture series on TheUS.tv and our two-part 'Torat Rabbi Sacks zt'l' series exploring Rabbi Sacks' thoughts on Chanukah.
And don't miss our fantastic 'Eight Nights of Chanukah' programme on TheUS.tv for each night of Chanukah with content from Israel and across our communities.
The tradition of giving gifts on Chanukah probably grew out of the custom of giving Chanukah gelt – coins – to children, in order to teach them to give some or all of it to charity.
If you have an unwanted present, or you’re making room for new ones, then we can help! This winter, our Chesed team is collecting new and lightly-used toys to give to children who need them most. Please donate any toys, dolls or teddies which you no longer need. We have already been able to distribute some to children in hospitals through our friends at Camp Simcha and we will be giving your donations to children from vulnerable families.
Your items can be taken to any United Synagogue shul. For more information, please contact Yael on ypeleg@theus.org.uk. Please only donate items which you would be happy to receive!
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Cherry on the cake
After more than 1,200 votes, there’s a new doughnut in town! Mazal tov to Heather Marchant and Michelle Watson on winning our Design a Doughnut competition in partnership with the Jewish News and Carmelli’s. The pair came up with a Black Forest Gateau doughnut and you can see an image of it here.
I popped to the bakery on Monday to meet the winners (and make sure it tasted ok – I take my job very seriously). The doughnuts are absolutely delicious and are well worth a trip before they sell out.
You voted the Apple Crumnut as the runner up followed by the Whisky Doughnut in third. In fourth was the savoury Nachos & Cheese and in a credible fifth place was the Marmite & Chocolate.
We were thrilled at the response to the competition – thank you to everyone who came up with an idea and to everyone who voted – we’ll have to do this again!
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A new Tribe scribe?
We are thrilled to announce the winners of Tribe’s doughnut drawing competition in partnership with the Jewish News. School pupils were asked to draw a beautiful new doughnut. The winning entries are in today’s Jewish News and the winners will also receive a box of doughnuts from Carmelli’s. In the primary school competition, 9-year-old Ariella Joseph won top prize.
Ariella goes to Sacks Morasha and her family’s shul is Finchley United Synagogue. Well done too to runners up Joey Levy and Ilan Jesner. Both are 8 and also attend Sacks Morasha! In the secondary school competition, 11-year-old Keren Vaisbrot was crowned champion. Keren goes to Hasmonean High School for Girls and Golders Green United Synagogue.
We were blown away with the range and creativity of the entries – the pictures looked good enough to eat. Congratulations to our winners and runners-up!
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Free doughnuts!
Tribe will be giving out more than 2,700 doughnuts this week to children in our nurseries, chedarim and schools this week as they visit to deliver a Chanukah education programme. Keep your eyes peeled for the Tribe Chanukah van making an appearance at a school or shul near you!
Shabbat shalom and Chanukah sameach,
Richard Verber
Communications Director
United Synagogue
Chanukah - Ceremony & Celebration
As part of The Office of Rabbi Sacks' continuing Ceremony & Celebration series to highlight the teachings of Rabbi Sacks zt”l, the new 8-part series for Chanukah is now available. This excellent educational resource includes short thoughts on Chanukah from the writings of Rabbi Sacks zt”l as well as additional educational content and games for children developed by the Office of Rabbi Sacks together with Dr Daniel Rose and Jonny Licpzer. Download it via the link
Meet the new Israeli Ambassador to the UK
We are delighted to welcome you to listen to a conversation between HE Mrs Tzipi Hotovely, the 18th Ambassador of Israel to the Court of St James’s and the first woman to be appointed to the position, and our president, Michael Goldstein.
The Ambassador and Michael will be in conversation on TheUS.tv this Monday (14 December) at 7.30pm and available to watch on-demand any time after that.
All welcome.
UNITED SYNAGOGUE CHEDARIM
Spotlight on our Chedarim
The United Synagogue has many Chedarim, all of which are fantastic. This week we are putting the spotlight on four of them: Mill Hill Cheder, Woodside Park Cheder, Richmond Cheder, and Watford Cheder. To read more about them and the amazing work they do, click the link below.
WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY
New immersive experience
Willesden Jewish Cemetery's new sensory experience, 'Invisible City', was inspired by Italian novelist Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities” to build a sonic city, full of life and stories, designed to be listened to by visitors whilst on site at the cemetery. Hit the link to find out more!
COOKING SHOW
Doughnuts
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 doughnuts - watch it by clicking the link below.
YOUNG US
Chanukah drive in!
Join Young US for a fabulous Chanukah Drive In! With candle lighting, food and a screening of ‘The Holiday’, all from the comfort of your car. Sunday 13 December. £15 members, £20 non-members. Venue to be disclosed on payment for security.
WATCH AGAIN
Lunch & Learn
In case you missed it, catch up on this week's Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Mendel Lew of Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagouge, who delved into this week's Parasha, Vayeishev. Watch it again by clicking on the link below.
WATCH NOW
The Book of Bereishit
Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for a new video series as he explores the Book of Bereishit. This week's talk is titled 'The Joseph Story I', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.
WATCH NOW
Eight Days, Eight Questions
Watch the first video from our new Chanukah series on Facebook: Eight Days, Eight Questions! The first question is: What is the best Chanukah present you’ve ever received? Watch it and tell us what yours was by clicking the link below.
COMING SOON
Miracles and fate on floor seventy eight
Join Central Synagogue’s Rabbi Barry Lerer in conversation with Ari Schonbrun, a survivor of 9/11, who will be sharing his story during this period of miracles and light. Thursday 17 December at 7.30pm, on TheUS.tv.
WATCH AGAIN
Wellbeing Workshops
If you missed Rabbi Dr Samuel Landau's Wellbeing Workshops, you can watch them again on TheUS.tv. This week's workshop, 'Making Space', considers how to stay well, build emotional resilience and stay balanced in uncertain times and is available via the link below!
THIS WEEK'S KABBALAT SHABBAT!
JFS School staff & students
welcome you tomorrow!
This Friday at 2:15pm, join the students and staff of JFS School and Rabbi Bentzi Mann of Mill Hill East Jewish Community for an inspiring and uplifting Kabbalat Shabbat service. Watch live on TheUS.tv and on Facebook.
The way we light the Chanukah candles holds a clue about how to reach our full potential. What is it? Click here to watch this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi.
BOREHAMWOOD & ELSTREE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Three Rabbis
Rabbi Alex Chapper along with the JLE's Rabbi Benjy Morgan and Rabbi Dov Ber Cowan wanted to bring a taste of Shul to those who are unable to attend. Watch the three rabbis surprise a Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue member at his home by clicking on the link below.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton
Join Kenton as they hear from Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton, an Honorary Fellow at the Parks Institute, University of Southampton. Her talk will be titled 'The Forgotten Exiles' and will take place on Monday 14 December at 8pm, live on Zoom.
MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Let the light in
Join Mill Hill for 'Let the light in' - a women's Chanukah celebration, which will include Hallel, and some inspirational thoughts will also be shared. This will take place on Sunday 13 December at 11am.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah variety show
Join Edgware as they celebrate Chanukah with their online Chanukah variety show, with singing, magic, music and comedy, as well as a candle lighting. Sunday 13 December at 5pm live on Zoom.
KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Kenton presents: Josh Hartuv
Join Kenton as they hear from Josh Hartuv, a licensed Israeli tour guide, whose talk will be titled: 'The Maccabees - the good, the bad, and the miraculous'. Wednesday 16 December at 7.45pm, live on Zoom.
RICHMOND UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah science lab
Join Richmond on Sunday 13 December at 3.15pm for a Chanukah science lab for children age 4+, with lots of hands-on activities and exciting experiments. This will be followed by a candle lighting for the whole community at 4.15pm, which will take place on Zoom here.
EALING UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Zoom supper quiz
Ealing United Synagogue recently held its annual pre-Chanukah Supper Quiz (supper-less this year due to Covid) by Zoom. 12 tables of 6 participated, and donations were generously made by participants to Magen David Adom and Jewish Womens Aid.
MILL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Chanukah Roadshow
Join Mill Hill as they celebrate Chanukah with their Chanukah roadshow - bringing the candle lighting to you! On Thursday 10 December, Motza'ei Shabbat 12 December, and Sunday 13 December, enjoy a mobile Menorah, live music, doughnuts and more.
EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE
Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein
Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein of Cockfosters & N Southgate Synagogue. who will be talking about the impact of the potato on the Jewish community. Wednesday 16 December at 8pm, live on Zoom.
COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE
CLC presents: Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson, a well-known member of Cockfosters & N Southgate Synagogue, will be discussing Bar Kochba, the man believed by the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Akiva to be the Messiah. This is a free event but booking is essential. Next Tuesday (15 December), 11am.
HENDON UNITED, MAGEN AVOT & ALEI TZION
Keeping calm, carrying on & more!
Join Hendon, Magen Avot and Alei Tzion for a three part series, 'Keeping calm, carrying on & more!' The third and final session, will take place on Monday 14 December at 8.30pm 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.
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 Ray Lawrence.
Chanukah Dough Nutting
My Uncle Maury was awfully posh
But he couldn’t resist a good Chanukah nosh
And every year he would simply go nuts
For the smell of the latkes and delicious doughnuts.
Maury, of course, was a brilliant cook
He thought he’d get into that great Guinness Book
Where Records are listed and people become
The envy of all for what they have done.
Said Maury “believe it! I’m now going to make
“The greatest doughnut any man ever baked –
And to make the event that much more auspicious
It’ll not just be BIG it will be DELICIOUS!
It’ll be the best doughnut, a winner – five star -
That’s how we great cooks celebrate Chanukah!”
So, Maury set to without more debate
A gigantic doughnut he began to create
A whole ton of cake- flour he mixed in a bowl,
From a life-saving ring he fashioned the hole.
Six hundred eggs with butter he beat
Into the mixture with sugar so sweet,
With cinnamon, nutmeg, three kilos of salt
He even chucked in an extract of malt.
Then he transported it all – it was ever so cool –
To the local municipal swimming pool
Into which he had poured sixty gallons of oil.
He heated it up, brought it all to the boil.
Lowered into the boiling fat by a winch –
Maury’s great doughnut went down - inch by inch
Until finally done - the most massive confection
The World’s largest doughnut was cooked - to perfection.
Delicious aromas arose, the town lusted
After that doughnut (delicious with custard!)
Maury locked it away, in case someone misled
Should creep in and steal it – he’d sleep safe in his bed!
But, alas, when the Judges of that great Guinness book
Came in to inspect it and have a good look
The doughnut was gone. Maury just couldn’t get it –
Someone had stolen his doughnut - and ate it.
It was an enigma, a huge cosmic riddle -
'Cos all there was left was the hole in the middle.
Please send your submissions to youandus@theus.org.uk.
BOARD OF DEPUTIES
Community Briefing
Read the Board's latest community briefing.
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