Today is the beginning of the NCVO Volunteers' Week. We wanted to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you to all of the many hundreds of volunteers who help to make Alyth so special, giving time and energy to our communal life all year around. A special thank you to every member of Alyth who has come forward in the face of our current challenges to look after others in our community and beyond, and to the Trustee Board, President and Vice-Presidents who have given so much time and thought to leadership of our community over these difficult months.
Click here to see this weekend at a glance
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MONDAY 1 JUNE
BE WITH US Craft, Chat and Cuppa! (15:00-16:00) This ‘club’ is for anyone who would like to try any sort of hand craft. Join Brenda Freedman for anything from everyday sewing, tapestry, quilt making, knitting, and anything else you can think of! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 588 095 846, Password: 468060).
BE WITH US Alyth@Home Book Club (18:30-19:30) The first book in the Alyth@Home Book Club will be “The Chosen”, a novel written by Chaim Potok. The story follows the narrator, Reuven Malter, and his friend Daniel Saunders, as they grow up in the Williamsburg neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1940s. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 891 5955 3903, Password: 785089).
TUESDAY 2 JUNE
BE WITH US Coffee and Chat with Lynette (11:00-12:00) How are you doing in these slightly surreal and unprecedented times? Anxious, frustrated, lonely, depressed or welcoming the chance to do all those things you have never had the time for in the past? Join Lynette for an hour of chat and check in – come and share how you are feeling and meet and talk with others. All ages welcome, you will just need to bring your own refreshments! If you would rather speak in confidence to Lynette then please email her at lynette@alyth.org.uk or call her on 07746952769. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 884 2321 2866, Password: 785089)
BE WITH US Ballet in your Bathroom (11:00-12:00) This has moved to Wednesdays. Please see below for details.
LEARN WITH US Hebrew Reading from Scratch (19:00-20:00) Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman, who has been one of the UK’s leading Synagogue-based Jewish educators for the last few decades. Take an hour a week in term time to learn to read Hebrew from scratch. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 909 882 685, Password: 686711)
LEARN WITH US E-ssentials (20:00-21:00) Our programme for all those who want to ensure that their Judaism has firm foundations. All are welcome. For this term, we have redesigned the curriculum and sessions so that they are more manageable over Zoom, and will run for no more than one hour. Click here for the full schedule for June and July. This week, Jewish Ethics with Rabbi Josh.
Please click here for the resources which will be used during this session (available from Tuesday morning).
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 668 234 069, Password: 419681)
BE WITH US Alyth Choral Society (20:00-22:00) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 976 4873 3959 Password: 113568). For Choral Society Members only.
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
BE WITH US Ballet in your Bathroom (11:00-12:00) For teens and adults with or without dance experience. Join Abi Aleksander and keep your body and mind active. We will start with a short warm up, move onto her version of a ballet barre and finish with some more contemporary exercises. You don’t need any special equipment apart from a chair or countertop to hold on to and enough room to move your limbs in all directions. Wear something comfortable (and if you have a tutu lurking that you have been yearning to wear, feel free). Click here to join (Meeting ID: 942 377 314, Password: 133127)
BE WITH US News, Views & Schmooze (14:00-15:00) Join us for an hour of schmooze to discuss what is going on in the world around us. Led by volunteers from the Soup and Schmooze group and Lynette. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 996 0969 5198 Password: 933950).
BE WITH US Pre-dinner concert with Katie and Tom (17:00-17:30) Join Katie and Tom for a live concert streamed directly into your home. This varied programme will include repertoire from the operas, musicals and more. For all the community. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 108 960 491, Password: 961337).
LEARN WITH US Hebrew for Beginners (20:00-21:00) Taught by Jan Roseman, this is a three week crash course for people wo are absolute beginners in Hebrew so that they are able to join our regular Tuesday Hebrew Reading from Scratch class. Sessions are also on 27 May and 3 June. Please click here to register. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 875 1602 3006, Password: 244180).
PRAY WITH US Wednesday Ma’ariv (20:00-20:45) Join us for a mid-week evening service led by lay members. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 566 852 225, Password: 763158).
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Confronting Torah with Rabbi Tony Bayfield Wednesday 3, 10, 17, 24 June, 18:30
Torah is the central chapter of Rabbi Professor Tony Bayfield’s recent book Being Jewish Today: Confronting the Real Issues. Alyth and FRS are delighted to present a five-session weekly series with Tony going through the chapter of his book. These sessions will also include scholar and educator Rabbi Neil Janes probing, questioning and challenging his teaching.
This week: Not One Torah But two.
Click here for for information on the full programme and click here for a YouTube advert on the series.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 686 134 0661, Password: 544982)
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THURSDAY 4 JUNE
BE WITH US Mellow Chair Yoga (11:00-12:00) Our special Chair Yoga and Meditation with Maxine is open to all ages wishing to enhance overall mental and physical wellbeing! It includes movement, breathing, stretching, standing, twisting, balancing and more. Great for releasing tensions and increasing, stamina, strength and immunity. Less active participants can do all the movements sitting in a chair. Please click here to sign up and to pay online. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 616 879 143, Password: 797658).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Communic8&9 (17:00-18:00) A fun social space for those in Year 8&9 where we play with the new ways we can communicate. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 931 0825 3242, Password: 411477)
LEARN WITH US NEW FOR THIS MONTH Pardes: My favourite... text (13:00-14:00) A new twist on our weekly text-based study session. Over the course of each month, the Alyth clergy will each teach a passage or subject that is especially important or meaningful for them. Starting in June with ‘My favourite ... text’ – taken from anywhere in the Jewish library. This week: Cantor Tamara. Click here for the source sheets being used in the session (available from Thursday morning) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361, Password: 019498).
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LEARN WITH US Alyth Online Lectures (Thursday 4 June, 19:00-20:00)
An eclectic series of lectures on a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish topics. The lectures have two things in common: the speakers are all members of Alyth and leading experts in their field. Some previous lectures can be seen here: www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS.
This week: Restaurants and other places where we eat out – past, present and future" with Peter Backman Peter is an expert on the structure and dynamics of the foodservice sector, and its supply chain, in the UK, across Europe, and in other major international regions and countries including the USA and India. He enlightens senior executives and other people who make significant decisions in the foodservice sector including investors, operators and suppliers to the sector.
He has been involved, as a researcher and consultant within the sector, for over 30 years blending his knowledge with a deep understanding of the trends, key players and challenges of organisations with an interest in foodservice. He regularly speaks at conferences worldwide and his views are sought by television, radio, and the press. Peter has many innovations to his credit having been the first person to define the structure of the eating out market in the terms which are now widely used by the industry, as well as the most extensive database model of the foodservice sector.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat with Rabbi Hannah and Beth. Sing your favourite Baby Den songs, dance to a shabbat beat and wave to some familiar faces. For families with Young Children. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 142 813 452, Password: 346202). BE WITH US Volunteer Coffee Morning (10:00-11:00) So many of you kindly donated your time at the beginning of lockdown to call members of the Alyth community or volunteer for other organisations. Please join Lynette to let us know your experience of speaking to, and helping people, during this time and to allow us to thank you for these invaluable acts of kindness. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 810 5650 6723, Password: 138638). FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time Live There is no Story Time Live this week. Returning as normal next Friday.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION: RUACH Ruach 4 @ home (16:30-17:15 and 17:30-18:15) Join Abi and the team for your group’s Ruach session. Please check the times for your group below - please be aware that we will start the session at the start times given. This week: Understanding and respecting our bodies. What does Judaism say about piercings and tattoos, exercise and healthy eating? How do we look after our bodies?. - If you are in the new intake to Ruach 4, please join at 16:30 by clicking here (Meeting ID: 956 0652 2899, Password: 5Gh7mx) - If you have been coming to Ruach 4 since January, please join at 17:30 by clicking here (Meeting ID: 836 8808 1391, Password: 823690).
Ruach 1-3 @ Home (17:15-18:10) Please join Mike & Sophie at our regular time as we continue exploring how to make the most of our Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey. The topic for this term is Gemilut Chasadim - “Acts of Loving Kindness”. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 903 736 979, Password: 742355).
BE WITH US JMM on Friday (17:15-18:00) Jewish Mindfulness Meditation helps us to open our hearts and find peace through our spiritual heritage, especially in these challenging times. Join for contemplation, breathing, movement and meditation. Suitable for all. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091)
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh and Cantor Tamara as they lead the Erev Shabbat service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 871 8229 1444, Password: 785089) The best way to access our services is by Zoom. If you do not wish to use Zoom, then the "Zoom screen" can be seen via our YouTube channel. This can be accessed by clicking here (www.alyth.org.uk/youtubelive) or going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS. You can also watch the service from the Beit Tefillah via our LiveStream by clicking here. Please note that the livestream can only show those parts of the service being led from the Beit Tefillah.
We invite you to have Shabbat candles and Kiddush ready in advance of the service so that we can join together in these moments from our homes. We will light candles together at L’cha Dodi and make Kiddush at the end of the service. Please click here to download the Shabbat Supplement for Friday night and the Community News and Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). Please click here to view the Reform Judaism siddur online.
SATURDAY 6 JUNE
Shabbat Shiur (9:15-10:15) Seven books in the Torah? Two upside down nuns? ("no, silly, not religious Catholic women, but Hebrew letters!") What are they doing in the Torah in our sidra? And what are the seven books? Come on a journey of exploration with Rabbi Colin. Click here for the study text (available from Friday afternoon). Click here to join (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Password: 602287)
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Rabbi Josh is running the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. The service will include the Bar Mitzvah of Harry Pulis who will be reading Torah with the community for the first time from his home. The sermon will be given by Rabbi Colin. Please remember that this service is online only.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 810 4033 6614, Password: 785089).
The best way to access our services is by Zoom. If you do not wish to use Zoom, then the "Zoom screen" can be seen via our YouTube channel. This can be accessed by clicking here(www.alyth.org.uk/youtubelive) or going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS. You can also watch the service from the Beit Tefillah via our LiveStream by clicking here. Please note that the livestream can only show those parts of the service being led from the Beit Tefillah.
Please click here to download a copy of the Torah portion and the Community News and Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). Please click here to view the Reform Judaism siddur online.
PRAY WITH US FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Shabbat (11:00-12:00) Our Shabbat experience designed to stimulate your babies’ senses in the first years of their life. Join Rabbi Hannah from your homes. Suitable for babies from birth to 2 years.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 923 1184 7370, Password: 148273)
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SUNDAY 7 JUNE
PRAY WITH US Sunday Shacharit (9:00-10:00) Our lay-led minyan with bagel breakfast (please provide your own bagels…) Led by our lay members from their homes. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 431 181 644, Password: 163984).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth Sunday Morning ⟳Reloaded⟳ (ASMR). Every Sunday, open to EVERYONE from Reception to Year 6! Join Mike & Sophie as we continue to explore the breadth of Jewish Studies through fun and creative methods! Reception - Year 2 (10:00-11:00) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 830 747 818 Password: 301658). Year 3 - Year 6 (11:30-12:30) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 836 8543 4865, Password: 194753)
LEARN WITH US Biblical Hebrew (11:00-12:00) A programme for those with high level hebrew reading ability. Please email Philip Brodie at mail@pmbrodie.co.uk if you would like to join this class so that you can be sent the link and materials in advance.
BE WITH US Singing for Pleasure (15:00-16:00) Join Viv and sing songs from the shows, Israeli folksongs, songs from the 60s and much, much more. No need to audition, read music or feel intimidated. Please email vivienne.bellos@btinternet.com in advance for the song list and lyrics. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 731 393 138, Password: 197916).
MONDAY 8 JUNE
BE WITH US Craft, Chat and Cuppa! (15:00-16:00) This ‘club’ is for anyone who would like to try any sort of hand craft. Join Brenda Freedman for anything from everyday sewing, tapestry, quilt making, knitting, and anything else you can think of! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 588 095 846, Password: 468060).
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Financial Support - How we can help
If you are facing financial challenges at this difficult time, please do not hesitate to contact us. As well as discussing the level of your annual synagogue contribution, we can help you to access a number of Alyth funds that are specifically here to help our members in times of challenge. Please contact Lynette at lynette@alyth.org.uk or Rabbi Josh at josh@alyth.org.uk
If you feel able to support other Alyth members in financial difficulty at this time, please email Rabbi Josh at josh@alyth.org.uk
The Jewish Leadership Council in partnership with Work Avenue has also established a fund to support those across the community whose earnings have been directly affected by COVID-19. This fund was set up to specifically assist those who are ineligible for Government support or who face delays accessing Government funds. Go to www.theworkavenue.org.uk/covid19 for more information.
Some of our partner organisations are also running programmes during this period. Click hereto see additional programming offered by Reform Judaism that you are invited to join.
Please remember that we also have two special numbers in addition to the main synagogue number: New Alyth Careline – 020 8457 8798 This will be answered between 08:00 and 21:00 by a member of the community for anyone who needs someone to speak to. Emergency Careline – 07726 631808 Please use this number if you need urgent pastoral support. The hard reality of this pandemic is that we as a community will support an increased proportion of our members and families through hospitalization and bereavement. This number is there for these cases and will be answered by a member of the Alyth professional team.
