JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS Rosh Hashanah is now just over three weeks away. From next week, our programme will be available to see online. All Alyth members will receive a High Holy Day programme and Chairs' Letter in the post next week. If you do not receive yours by next Friday, please email mail@alyth.org.uk. We will be providing more details of the schedule online over the next three weeks and look forward to sharing this special period together in this extraordinary year. ELUL To help make this year's Yamim Noraim more meaningful, we are pleased to offer a programme of learning, discussion and reflection for the month of Elul. Pleaseclick hereto see our full Elul programme. MACHZORIM As this year's High Holy Days services will be online, there will be two ways to access the Prayer Books. All of the liturgy will be available online, via the Reform Movement website. However, for the quality of the experience, we strongly recommend the use of physical copies and will have these available to borrow from the synagogue.
On Rosh Hashanah we will be using the Draft Rosh Hashanah Machzor and we will be holding “book collection” sessions when you can also say hello to members of the Alyth team and clergy and take a book to borrow on: Sunday 6 September, 10:00-12:00 Monday 7 September 19:00-21:00 There will also be the opportunity to collect machzorim throughout the day on: 9, 10 & 11 September between 10:00-12:00, 13:00-14:00 and 15:30-17:30.
We have only a very limited stock of the machzorim for Yom Kippur. If you have multiple copies in your home, and are happy to loan a copy to another Alyth family, please drop them off when you come to collect. Please make sure you write your name in the book so that we can get it back to you after Yom Kippur. If you have an Alyth telephone buddy and need us to bring a book to you, please let them know and we will organise delivery, or phone the special careline number. ROSH HASHANAH CARE PARCELS As part of our "Darkness To Light" project we are delivering Rosh Hashanah parcels to some of our members during the week commencing 14 September. If you have a couple of hours to spare and would be willing to deliver these please email Ruth on ruthcc@alyth.org.uk.
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FRIDAY 28 AUGUST
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat with Rabbi Hannah. 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).
IN-PERSON FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time Live (16:30-17:00) Those pre-school in age (and in heart) are invited to join Rabbi Hannah for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. This week live in the Sukkah. There is one place left, please click here to sign up. Please note that this service is subject to the weather. The website will be updated at 15:30. Please check before you travel. There will be limited toilet and changing facilities. We ask that you please do not come if you have been unwell with any of the symptoms of Covid-19. By signing up, you give permission for us to share your name and contact details with the NHS Test and Trace service in case of a positive Covid test by you or another member of the group.
BE WITH US Jewish Mindfulness Meditation (17:00-17:40) 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).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (17:45) Elul Half Hours are short sessions of reflection, study and contemplation before each of Alyth’s Shabbat services during Elul. You are welcome to attend every session, or to simply drop in when you wish, and no pre-booking is necessary. We only ask that when you come, you try to join at the start of the session. Today's session: Tzur with Rabbi Elliott. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 848 3829 8916, Passcode: 227394).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah as they lead the Erev Shabbat service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. 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. 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.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 874 9604 9688, Passcode: 785089). If you do not wish to use Zoom, then the "Zoom screen" can also 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.
SATURDAY 29 AUGUST
PRAY WITH US Bar Mitzvah Service in the Sukkah (9:00) Rabbi Hannah is leading an early Shabbat morning service in the Sukkah to mark the Bar Mitzvah of Marco Glazer. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 889 1355 2142, Passcode: 785089).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (9:45) Elul Half Hours are short sessions of reflection, study and contemplation before each of Alyth’s Shabbat services during Elul. You are welcome to attend every session, or to simply drop in when you wish, and no pre-booking is necessary. We only ask that when you come, you try to join at the start of the session. Today's session: Shechinah with Rabbi Josh. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 864 6177 8950, Passcode: 138638).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Rabbi Josh is running the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. The sermon will be given by Rabbi Elliott, who will also read Torah. Please remember that this service is online only. Please click here to download a copy of the Torah portion (Deuteronomy 24: 5-18), Haftarah, 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.
Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 871 6466 9534, Passcode: 785089). If you do not wish to use Zoom, then the "Zoom screen" can also 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.
PRAY WITH US Wellbeing Service (10:30) Join Rabbi Hannah and Justin Wise as we take time for ourselves to relax and breathe. During our Shabbat morning service, we will explore our mental and physical wellbeing through tuneful prayer. Please click here to download a copy of the service booklet. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 813 0164 0103, Passcode: 200814).
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SUNDAY 30 AUGUST
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: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
LEARN WITH US Biblical Hebrew (11:00-12:00) A programme for those with high level hebrew reading ability. Please email Edward Gold at edwardjgold@hotmail.com if you would like to join this class so that you can be sent the link and materials in advance.
MONDAY 31 AUGUST
Bank Holiday Monday The Alyth office is closed. In case of emergency please call either: Alyth Careline - 020 8457 8798 Emergency Careline - 07726 631808 (Please use this number if you need urgent pastoral support).
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Monday morning Shacharit is not running this week. See Thursday for your next opportunity to join us in person.
BE WITH US Craft, Chat and Cuppa is not on this week.
TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS HOW TO Sing along at home (19:00) In the lead up to the Days of Awe, come together with Cantor Tamara to explore how we navigate communal singing in a new way as we pray from home during this season. Open to all who enjoy music and singing, and who want to dive deeper into the music of the High Holy Days. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 844 6351 6773, Passcode: 785089).
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).
WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
PRAY WITH US Wednesday Ma’ariv (20:00-20:45) Join us for a mid-week evening service led by Alyth members. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 566 852 225, Password: 763158).
THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON (9:00) Many of us are feeling a sense of loss from not being able to gather together for prayer on Shabbat. This will also not be possible on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when we need to ensure that all of our members can join our services. Between now and then, we will be providing as many opportunities as we can for small, in-person, outdoor services. Click here to sign up.
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).
LEARN WITH US Pardes: My favourite... High Holy Day Liturgy (13:00-14:00) A new twist on our weekly text-based study session. This month, to bring the text to life, we will look at selections from the High Holy Day liturgy that are particularly profound or important for us. This week with Rabbi Hannah. 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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FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
IN-PERSON FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat with Rabbi Hannah. Sing your favourite Baby Den songs, dance to a shabbat beat and wave to some familiar faces. For families with Young Children. This week live in the Sukkah. Click here to sign up.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time Live (17:15-17:45) Those pre-school in age (and in heart) are invited to join Rabbi Hannah for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 423 529 768, Password: 785089).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS - ALYTH IN ELUL LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (17:45) Elul Half Hours are short sessions of reflection, study and contemplation before each of Alyth’s Shabbat services during Elul. You are welcome to attend every session, or to simply drop in when you wish, and no pre-booking is necessary. We only ask that when you come, you try to join at the start of the session. Each of this year’s Elul Half Hours will take on one of the profound questions of our time – how can we speak about God in the face of the challenges of the past months? In each session we will explore a different name or concept of God and explore how it might help us to think or speak about God in our time. Today's session: Yud-hei-vav-hei with Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 848 3829 8916, Passcode: 227394).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Elliott as they lead the Erev Shabbat service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 840 5547 2069, Passcode: 785089)
SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
PRAY WITH US Bar Mitzvah Service in the Sukkah (9:00) Rabbi Josh is leading an early Shabbat morning service from the Sukkah to mark the Bar Mitzvah of Louis Gerrard. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 861 8340 2478, Passcode: 785089).
BE WITH US Jewish Mindfulness Meditation (9:00-9:40) 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: 844 520 435, Password: 753749).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS - ALYTH IN ELUL LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (9:45) Elul Half Hours are short sessions of reflection, study and contemplation before each of Alyth’s Shabbat services during Elul. You are welcome to attend every session, or to simply drop in when you wish, and no pre-booking is necessary. We only ask that when you come, you try to join at the start of the session. Today's session: Hester panim. With Rabbi Hannah. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 864 6177 8950, Passcode: 138638).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Our Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 831 1005 5687, Passcode: 785089).
ALYTH IN-PERSON PRAY WITH US FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Shabbat in the Sukkah (10:45-11:30; 12:30-13:15) Families with babies are invited to sign up for a very special Sensory service in the Sukkah. The service will be repeated to allow more families to join over the course of the morning. Each family will need to bring their own picnic blanket to sit on and will be directed to a designated area of the Sukkah. Families will need to stay on their picnic blanket for the full duration of the service. Please also bring a musical instrument to play and a scarf to hide behind! Click here to sign up.
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SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
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: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
LEARN WITH US Biblical Hebrew (11:00-12:00) A programme for those with high level hebrew reading ability. Please email Edward Gold at edwardjgold@hotmail.com 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).
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Save the date
Alyth@Home Book Club: "The Elected Member" by Bernice Rubens Monday 7 September, 18:30-19:30 Norman is the clever one of a close-knit Jewish family in the East End of London. Infant prodigy; brilliant barrister; the apple of his parent’s eyes… until at forty-one he becomes a drug addict, confined to his bedroom, at the mercy of his hallucinations and paranoia. For Norman, his committal to a mental hospital represents the ultimate act of betrayal. For Rabbi Zweck, Norman’s father, his son’s deterioration is a bitter reminder of his own guilt and failure. Only Bella, the unmarried sister, still in her childhood white ankle socks, can reach across the abyss of pain to bring father and son the elusive peace which they both so desperately crave. Please email katie@alyth.org.uk to let her know you are reading the book and plan on joining the group.
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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: 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.