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London: 19:17

Birmingham: 19:22

Hull: 19:16

Sheffield: 19:21

Southport: 19:27

Jerusalem: 18:18

London: 20:22

Birmingham: 20:30

Hull: 20:31

Sheffield: 20:34

Southport: 20:41

Jerusalem: 19:35

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

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

Thursday 30 March, 2023

In 1290, King Edward I banished England’s Jews. They would not be allowed to return for more than 300 years. The resettlement under Oliver Cromwell was not straightforward and there were further attempts to expel the Jews. While they failed, it would be another century until Jews could become British citizens and 200 years before they could become an MP without swearing a Christian oath. It was not until 1890 when restrictions for every position in the British Empire, except that of monarch, were removed for Jews.

I was reminded of this recently for two reasons. The first, as we head towards Pesach, is because the story of the Jewish people – at times living as free people in our own land, at times enslaved to others – is one of peaks and troughs. Pesach marks both the nadir: subjugated under an infanticidal tyrant – and the zenith: the Exodus from Egypt which leads to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. These ups and downs have continued for three millennia.

 

The second reason I had 1890 in my mind is because that year saw the printing of the original Authorised Daily Prayer Book, better known as the Singer’s Siddur after its editor, Rev Simeon Singer of the New West End Synagogue. For the first time, Victorian Jews had a siddur with English rubric and translations which gave them immense pride. And since then, the Singer’s Siddur, in its various editions, has been a defining text of our community’s identity and Minhag Anglia (the practices of the United Synagogue and similar communities). Each new edition has built on Rev Singer’s determination to provide, in each generation, a siddur which is as user-friendly as possible. Major new editions were published in 1962, 1990 and most recently in 2006 with the authority of the Chief Rabbi at each time –Chief Rabbis Brodie, Jakobovits and Sacks of blessed memory, respectively.

 

This year, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has authorised an enlarged version of the 2006 edition which is now available for pre-order. The page numbers in the new siddur are retained from the 2006 edition. We are grateful to Rosemary Fisch and her family for dedicating this new siddur in memory of the late Bobby Fisch, an outstanding communal leader at Finchley (Kinloss) Synagogue.

Designed with a striking blue cover, similar to the 1962 edition, the new siddur includes additional essays, notably an Introduction by the Chief Rabbi on how we learn responsibility through prayer.

 

Dayan Ivan Binstock of St John’s Wood Synagogue and the London Beth Din has produced a Guide to the Jewish year and prayer incorporating the customs of the United Synagogue. Going month by month, Dayan Binstock clearly sets the rhythms and practices of daily prayer, whether in shul or not, including helpful charts.

Just as each Hagaddah reflects the local customs of its Jewish community, so too our new siddur showcases our practices. It is fitting therefore that we can make this announcement to our members ahead of Pesach – this year, thank God, without Covid restrictions. A siddur contains statements of our faith and words to help our souls find spiritual expression, praying for ourselves and others, as Jews do daily around the world.

The new siddur is now available for pre-order here (delivery expected in May). We hope it will assist and inspire you, as its predecessors have done since 1890.

£50 Amazon voucher up for grabs

 

Thank you to everyone who has completed our short survey about our new United magazine. If you're a United Synagogue member who didn't receive a copy, please reply to this email and we'll post one out.

 

There's still time to fill in the survey and to say thank you, there's a prize draw to win a £50 Amazon or online shopping voucher of your choice. Please click here to take the survey. The prize draw terms and conditions are available here.

Events in Israel

 

Like so many of us, I have been watching the recent news from Israel with sadness. To see our Israeli brothers and sisters so divided as we head to Pesach is heartbreaking. I pray for the safety of all Israel's citizens and for Israel's politicians to show the leadership and compromise required in these extremely troubling times.

Because of the way yom tov falls this is the last You&US until Thursday, April 20. Wishing you and your families a chag kasher v’sameach. Have a wonderful Pesach.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Michael Goldstein

President

United Synagogue

National Yom Hashoah UK Commemoration

This year’s UK National Commemoration will be broadcast live on Monday 17 April from 7.15pm. The ceremony can be watched from any Smart TV via the YouTube app (search Yom HaShoah UK) or at www.yomhashoah.org.uk
There will be a UK-wide candle lighting moment during the ceremony, as families light their candles from home in unison. Yellow Candles can be purchased by clicking here.

Volunteers needed

Can you help for a couple of hours on the afternoon of Sunday 23 April for the opening of the Holocaust memorial at Bushey New Cemetery? We’re looking for some friendly stewards to help with the car park, signposting people to the prayer hall and monument and supporting the Holocaust survivors present. Please sign up by emailing memorial@theus.org.uk. Details about the consecration service can be found by clicking the link below.

TRIBE

Tribe Pesach mailout

Tribe are excited to present a fun and engaging resource for members with children in Years 5-6 and Years 7-13! The pack includes items to encourage participation during the Seder for a range of ages for all to enjoy. The resources are also available online by clicking the link below.

WILLESDEN JEWISH CEMETERY

Artists and their world

Join a fascinating volunteer-led guided walk of Willesden Jewish Cemetery and learn about the many artists, art dealers and critics who reside there. Monday 10 April, 10:30-12pm. Book your place now by clicking the link below.

YOUNG US

Friday Night Dinner with Central

Join Young US at Central United Synagogue for an evening of socialising, fun, good food and Israel themes as we gear up for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut. Friday 21 April at 7pm. Book your place by clicking the link below.

COMING SOON

Women's Hallel: Live

Join us for an uplifting service to mark Rosh Chodesh Iyar with Rebbetzen Freda Kaplan and musician Hadassah Kessler, on Friday 21 April at 8:45am. On Zoom and the United Synagogue Facebook page. Zoom details can be found by clicking the link below.

What do bitter herbs teach us? Find out in this week's D'var Torah by the Chief Rabbi. To read a transcript of this and all of the Chief Rabbi's Divrei Torah, click here.

 

Cranbrook United's Rabbi Steven Dansky contiues his journey through the Book of Shemot with his new English translation. Click here to read his blog.

UNITED SYNAGOGUE SHEFFIELD

Pesach Seder in Sheffield

Rabbi Yonosan and Faige Rochel invite you to their Pesach Seder on Wednesday 5 April at 8:15pm. Enjoy a meaningful, engaging and interactive Seder with a gourmet dinner and choice of fine wines. For more information click the link below.

ST ALBANS UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Pesach picnic in the park

Join St Albans for a Pesach picnic in the park on Bank Holiday Monday 10 April, from 2:30pm, in Verulamium Park. A relaxed social event for all ages - no need to book. For more information click the link below.

EDGWARE UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Global Women's Hallel

Join Edgware for an uplifting Hallel service on Chol Hamoed Pesach, connecting women all over the UK and around the world. Monday 10 April at 10am. Zoom details can be found by clicking the link below.

NORTHWOOD UNITED SYNAGOGUE

Yom HaShoah Tribute

Join Northwood for a special Yom HaShoah tribute with Ronit Lusky, Director of Development & Partnerships at the Ghetto Fighters' Museum in Israel, and Karen Cooper, granddaughter of Yaakov Wiernik's brother, who was a prisoner in Treblinka. Wednesday 19 April at 7:30pm.

WHAT'S ON?

Online 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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