London: 17:20

Birmingham: 17:22

Sheffield: 17:20

Southport: 17:26

Jerusalem: 16:55

London: 18:24

Birmingham: 18:30

Sheffield: 18:32

Southport: 18:39

Jerusalem: 18:12

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

I was pleased the Prime Minister announced a road map to ease lockdown restrictions this week. After an extremely challenging winter I am particularly grateful that from March 29 our members are likely to be able to see their loved ones safely over Pesach in outdoor settings, albeit in limited numbers. We know that many of our members have not seen their children and grandchildren, their parents and grandparents for many months and rejoice in how special these reunions are going to be.

We are excited to work with our community leaders to think through how we can fully re-open our synagogues and re-introduce in-person programming carefully.

It has been a very challenging year for the Jewish community and the country as a whole. Too many of our members have lost loved ones. Despite the easing of lockdown, the situation remains very serious and so all United Synagogue social distancing measures will remain in place for now. We will continue to assess and be led by the data and will provide guidance for our communities in due course as we have done for the past twelve months.

Over Purim we must not let the optimism provided by the vaccines and news about the easing of lockdown lead to unsafe changes in our behaviour. If you're able to attend a megillah reading in person, you must follow full social distancing guidelines. We also have a wonderful online programme to complement the digital events being put on by our communities, and some guidance we issued last week, so that everyone is able to celebrate safely.

We're thrilled our Purim in the Box initiative sold out - I am looking forward to receiving mine and thank you to the hundreds and hundreds of you who have donated mishloach manot and given charity to those in need.

Together We Protect

The United Synagogue has always worked in close partnership with CST, so that we can gather in our shuls and schools and attend events freely, proudly and safely.

From 27 February-1 March, CST is hosting a crowdfunding campaign called ‘Together We Protect’. Jewish people across the UK will visit a special website and donate to CST, with each donation matched from a special fund.

From after Shabbat this week, please visit the Together We Protect website, and from there you will find the United Synagogue page where you can give generously. They are depending on us now, as we depend on them.

CST extends every provision to secure our communities, so let's play our part and join together to protect CST, just as they have protected us these many years.

Jewish Borehamwood East

Last week we introduced you to our new Community of Potential in Hatfield. We're delighted that our online event on Monday to meet the community there has sold out. We'll run another if there's interest, just drop a line to my colleague Ben Vos via bbvos@theus.org.uk.

This week we're saying hello to Jewish Borehamwood East (JBE), another new grassroots community in Hertfordshire, albeit just down the road from the large and well-established community of Borehamwood and Elstree. The east side of Borehamwood was earmarked for development a few years ago by the United Synagogue and Rabbi Levi and Rebbetzen Shternie Goldgrab have been engaging Jewish residents there.

Members told us that before the pandemic struck the Goldgrabs were known for providing a variety of imaginative ways to bring people together in East Borehamwood: from Shternie’s craft and cocktails, to Rabbi Levi's whisky and biltong, all suffused "with real Jewish warmth and a sense of home".

As you'd expect from an area with a large Jewish population, numerous KLBD restaurants are a short drive away, as is the popular hangout, Tesco Extra. There are plenty of good schools in the area including a number of Jewish options.

Borehamwood and Elstree United Synagogue provides a wealth of programming and services - all online at the moment because of the pandemic.

The area is extremely well-connected being just minutes from the A1, A1(M) and M1. Borehamwood Thameslink is a 20 minute walk or 10 minutes by bus with fast connections to London.

You can find out more about Jewish Borehamwood East via their Facebook group.

Purim sameach and Shabbat shalom,

Steven Wilson

Chief Executive

United Synagogue

Be a Chesed champion!

On March 7 and 8 we're running an online matched-giving appeal to raise urgent funds for the amazing work of US Chesed. This appeal is vital to provide over 4,000 people with desperately needed food and support this Pesach and throughout the year. We're looking for volunteers to act as Chesed champions who can tell their friends and family and support the extraordinary work helping our most vulnerable members. Please get involved by signing up to be a Chesed Champion today by clicking on the link below!

Purim live online!

Tonight and tomorrow join us for a fabulous feast of Purim events online including a variety of live Megillah readings for those who can't make it to shul or arrange a Covid-secure reading at home. Other highlights will include a Tribe Purim Adventure with Captain Calamity, a Purim Musical Extravaganza, cocktail making for Young Professionals, and a magical presentation from Illusionist and BGT Finalist, Josh Horus. We will be broadcasting events via our Facebook page and on TheUS.tv. The full list of programmes and where to watch them can be found by clicking the link below.

Virtual Purim Shpiel at 3.30pm and Kabbalat Shabbat: Live at 4:15pm

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The 2021 census

The 2021 census is out next month so we encourage everyone to join Edgware as they hear from Dr Jonathan Boyd, Executive Director at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. He will be discussing 'The religious question in the 2021 census'. Tuesday 2 March at 8pm, live on Zoom and the US Facebook page, and available afterwards on TheUS.tv.

THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE WELLBEING SERIES

Understanding Dementia

Join us together with Jewish Care for a talk hosted by Rebbetzen Dr Hadassah Fromson, DPsych, featuring a panel of professionals. This talk will focus on understanding dementia, and is part of our Wellbeing Series. Sunday 7 March at 7pm, on TheUS.tv.

HOUSE OF LIFE

What's on at Willesden Jewish Cemetery

Join us for a new series focusing on different aspects of death. 'Losing Loved Ones, Keeping Rituals' looks at how the pandemic has changed our experiences of burial and mourning. Other events include a talk on Jewish funerals in Victorian times, a 'Virtual Death Café', and curator Hester Abrams on women buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Register now via the link below.

WATCH NOW

Shemot Snacks

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

WATCH NOW

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 Daniel Fine, who delved into this week's Parasha, Tetzaveh. Watch via the link below.

WATCH NOW

The Book of Shemot

Join Rabbi Baruch Davis from Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue for his series exploring the Book of Shemot. This week's talk is titled 'The Spirituality of Routine', and is available to watch on TheUS.tv by clicking the link below.

NER TAMID PROJECT

Daily digital davening

Sadly, with many of our shuls closed due to rising infection rates, we've stepped in once again to organise daily prayer services. We will endeavour to broadcast prayers on our Facebook page three times a day (other than Shabbat) led by Rabbis from across our communities.

A tale of two families: click here to watch the Chief Rabbi's Purim D'var Torah.

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

HAMPSTEAD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Hampstead's Purim

Hampstead have a full programme of online Purim events for young professionals, including a Megillah reading, two short talks, and cocktail making. Tonight at 8.30pm. Register now by clicking the link below.

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB SYNAGOGUE

Avromi in the rain

Join Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue for 'Avromi in the Rain', a Kabbalat Shabbat service live on Facebook with Family Freilich - the Lockdown #3 Purim Finale. Tomorrow at 4pm, on the HGSS Facebook page.

BELMONT UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Jewish community in Dubai

Join Belmont's Rabbi Levene as he meets the people that planted the seeds of early Jewish life in Dubai. They will be discussing the difficulties and incredible stories in those early days. Monday 8 March at 8pm.

SHENLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Shenley presents: Dr Leon Barron

Join Shenley as they hear from Dr Leon Barron, whose talk will be titled 'Medical Cannabis - The Past, The Present and The Future', and will be discussing topics such as the history of medical cannabis and and global trends. Monday 1 March at 7.30pm, live on Zoom.

MUSWELL HILL UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Dr James Vaughan

Join Muswell Hill as they hear from Dr James Vaughan for his talk titled 'Keep Left for Israel', where he will be discussing pro-Zionist traditions and the British left, 1917-1967. Sunday 28 February at 8pm, live on Zoom.

FINCHLEY UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Healthcare talks

Join Kinloss for their 2021 webinar series in partnership with The Wellington Hospital and the United Synagogue. The first one, titled 'The latest thinking on disease medical advances' and featuring a panel of consultants, will take place on Tuesday 2 March at 8pm.

NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Murder Mystery Evening

Northwood members recently enjoyed a Murder Mystery Evening on Zoom, which was held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and raised £2,400. To read more about the event, please click on the link below.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Yanky Fachler

Join Kenton as they hear from Yanky Fachler, a copywriter, published author, and chair of the Jewish Historical Society of Ireland. His talk is titled 'The Interlocking History of Zionism and Irish Republicism'. Thursday 4 March at 7.30pm, following quiz night.

STANMORE & CANONS PARK UNITED SYNAGOGUE

The Secret Life of Rabbis

Stanmore & Canons Park Synagogue presents a new series of inspiring interviews with Rabbi Daniel Fine, called 'The Secret Life of Rabbis' - the successes, the failures, the rewarding and embarrassing moments. Watch on YouTube by clicking the link below.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Edgware presents: James Marlow

Join Edgware for Wednesday Night Live with James Marlow, Israel Political Analyst with a background of almost 40 years in broadcasting and journalism. His talk will be titled 'An Election Guide for the Perplexed'. Wednesday 3 March at 8pm, live on Zoom.

BARNET UNITED SYNAGOGUE

A trip down memory lane

Around 100 Barnet members recently joined together on Zoom for a rollercoaster trip down memory lane. There were tales from the first Barmitzvah boy, the building of the Shul in 64’, to kids clubs and choirs. Read more by clicking on the link below.

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB SYNAGOGUE

The Rabbinic Chavrusa

Join Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue for 'The Rabbinic Chavrusa' in memory of Rabbi Lord Sacks. Rabbi Friedman and Rabbi Robinson will be discussing 'Community of Faith'. Wednesday 3 March at 8pm. Watch it on Facebook by clicking the link below.

COCKFOSTERS & N SOUTHGATE SYNAGOGUE

CLC presents: Julian Knopf

Julian Knopf is a professional photographer and videographer. Hear the wonderfully enriching and rewarding stories from behind Julian’s lens in his talk titled 'Images to Take More Than a Gander At'. Tuesday 2 March at 11am.

KENTON UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Kenton presents: Yehudis Fletcher

Join Kenton as they hear from Yehudis Fletcher, a social and political activist. In 2015, she was
a key witness in the trial which saw a member of the Charedi community in Manchester imprisoned for sexual assault. She will be speaking on Monday 1 March 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.