Rosh Hashanah is just one week away. CLICK HERE for the full Alyth Rosh Hashanah programme and online links. We invite you to celebrate the New Year with us in this most extraordinary of years.
Machzorim As this year's High Holy Days services will be online, there will be two ways to access Prayer Books. All of the liturgy will be available via the Reform Movement website. However, for the quality of the experience, we strongly recommend the use of physical copies and have these available to borrow from the synagogue. Please collect from the synagogue during office hours (09:00-17:00 Monday-Thursday, 09:00-12:00 on Friday) or on Sunday 13 September between 10:30-12:30.
In person services Though the majority of our provision over Rosh Hashanah will be online, we are continuing to offer covid-secure in-person services where possible, according to government guidelines. These must be pre-booked and have limited capacity. All services are weather dependent - Please check the Alyth website 1 hour before the service is due to begin.
Alyth in-person over the next two weeks: Story-time live (Young Families) Friday 11 September 16:30 Shabbat morning in the Sukkah Saturday 12 September 09:00 Selichot in person Saturday 12 September 23:30 (off site) Shacharit in the Sukkah Mondays 14 and 21 September 07:30 Shacharit in the Sukkah Thursdays 17 and 24 September 09:00 Erev Second Day Rosh Hashanah in person Saturday 19 September 17:30 Baby Den in the Sukkah Friday 25 September 10:30 Imrei Finu in the Sukkah (two sittings) Saturday 26 September 09:30 and 11:15 HHD Resources Click here for resources to help you to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These will build over the coming week.
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HIGH HOLY DAY APPEAL The Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) are a time when we are deeply aware of our duty to care for one another and the world around us. It is an opportunity to offer our support to those who need it most by living the Jewish value of tzedakah, of giving what each of us is able to. This year we are again asking you to support the four funds that are at the heart of our communal giving. The funds support both the needs of our members as well as causes beyond our own community. Importantly, they are uniquely structured to enable us to respond to the additional needs we know are present due to the Coronavirus crisis.
Click here to see the High Holy Day Appeal brochure..
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FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
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. Click here to sign up.
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).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION: RUACH Ruach: new starters parents session (16:00-17:00) An introductory session for parents of our young members starting our b'nai mitzvah programme. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 844 5392 6860, Passcode: 768964). Ruach @ home (17:00-18:15) Our programme for pre-b'nai mitzvah members starts this week with a Rosh Hashanah Spacial. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (17:45) 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: Ha-M’vorach with Student Rabbi Nicola Feuchtwang. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 848 3829 8916, Passcode: 227394).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Hannah and Cantor Tamara 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: 840 1914 7247, 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 going to www.alyth.org.uk/youtubelive or www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS.
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (9:00) A small in-person Shacharit Service with Rabbi Josh in the synagogue sukkah. Click here to sign up.
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS LEARN WITH US Elul Half Hours: To speak about God in a time of pandemic (9:45) Today's session: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh with Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris. 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 service will include the Bar Mitzvah of Sam Gubbay who will be reading Torah with the community for the first time from his home. Please click here to download a copy of the Torah portion (Deuteronomy 30: 1-14), 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: 889 7043 8595, 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 going to www.alyth.org.uk/youtubelive or www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS.
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS PRAY WITH US Selichot (21:00) Hear the sounds of the High Holy Days for the first time in the year, live from the Alyth Beit Tefillah. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 821 7891 1874, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Selichot (23:30) An in-person, late-night Selichot with music and readings. This service must be pre-booked. Please note that this service is subject to the weather. The website will be updated at 22:30. Please check before you travel. Click here to sign up. In the week before you will be sent the address for this service which is not taking place in the synagogue grounds.
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SUNDAY 13 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).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth Sunday Morning ⟳Reloaded⟳ (ASMR). Our Sunday morning programme open to everyone from Reception to Year 6 returns this week with a Rosh Hashanah special. Reception - Year 2 (10:00-11:00) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 859 6290 5914, Passcode: 138638). Year 3 - Year 6 (11:30-12:30) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 871 1635 6108, Passcode: 138638).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS Machzor Collection (10:30-12:30) Come and pick up a machzor for use on Rosh Hashanah and say hello to the team.
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 14 September
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON (07:30) A small in-person Shacharit Service in the synagogue sukkah. Click here to sign up.
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).
TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS HOW TO Cook for Rosh Hashanah (19:00) Three different members of Alyth will share with us their special High Holy Day dishes, explaining the history behind them and how to make them. Please join your hosts, Rabbi Hannah and Lynette for a virtual tease of the taste buds. Please email beth@alyth.org.uk for copies of the recipes to follow and cook yourself. 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).
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS LEARN WITH US E-ssentials: The High Holy Days (20:00-21:00) Our regular introduction to Judaism class has been completely redesigned to be taught online. Whether you are coming to Judaism for the first time or want to consolidate the learning of many years, these classes are the ideal way to build the foundations of your knowledge in advance of these High Holy Days. This week: Preparing for the High Holy Days 1 – Rosh Hashanah with Rabbi Elliott. 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).
WEDNESDAY 16 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 17 SEPTEMBER
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON (9:00) A small in-person Shacharit Service in the synagogue sukkah. 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 Elliott. 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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EREV ROSH HASHANAH FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
HIGH HOLY DAYS ONLINE PRAY WITH US Erev Rosh Hashanah Service (18:30) Start the Yamim Noraim with the very best of our Friday night service, including High Holy Day and Shabbat melodies. Join our clergy team for this music-filled beginning to the year, with guitar accompaniment. The D’var Torah to begin this year’s extraordinary High Holy Days will be given by Rabbi Josh. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 895 8914 5832, Passcode: 785089).
ROSH HASHANAH SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
HIGH HOLY DAYS ONLINE Rosh Hashanah Morning for the Heart, Soul, Mind, Breath and Family Please click here for your detailed Rosh Hashanah programme including Zoom links to join our diverse range of services and activities.
HIGH HOLY DAYS IN-PERSON Tashlich Treasure Hunt (any time between 15:00-17:00) Tashlich is a special ritual for Rosh Hashanah afternoon in which we cast our sins into flowing water. To collect the resources needed to run your own tashlich, you will need to find members of the Alyth team hiding around the Heath Extension (they will be there between 15:00 and 17:00). The first clue will be on the Alyth website - www.alyth.org.uk/tashlich. The route should take no more than 45 minutes and will end with the opportunity to run your own tashlich, with a member of the Alyth team there to support you.
HIGH HOLY DAYS IN-PERSON Erev Second Day Service (17:30) A special service on the Alyth forecourt led by Rabbi Josh. This service is weather dependent and must be pre-booked. Click here to sign up as spaces are limited.
HIGH HOLY DAYS ONLINE Erev Second Day Service (17:30) A gentle online service to bring in the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Led by Rabbi Josh. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 862 8088 3608, Passcode: 785089)
SECOND DAY ROSH HASHANAH SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
HIGH HOLY DAYS ONLINE Second Day Rosh Hashanah Please click here for the detailed Rosh Hashanah programme including Zoom links to join services and activities.
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YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR 2020
This year, perhaps more than ever, the Yom Kippur Yizkor service will be of great significance to many of us. Some of us have lost family and/or friends due to Covid19 or in other circumstances. The grieving process for our loved ones has been restricted by the inability to be physically present either at the point of death or at the funeral. As in previous years we will recall the names of all those who were notified to us and who have died since last Yom Kippur. If there is anyone else’s name you would like mentioned at this time then please email Lynette and we will name them prior to the reciting of Kaddish during Yizkor. This year we are also preparing an online Yizkor Memorial Book. If you would like to honour a loved one who has passed away this year, please send us their name, a photo, birth and death dates, and a short biography of no more than 75 words to include in this Memorial Book. Please email lynette@alyth.org.uk with these details or with names you would like mentioned during Yizkor. The Rabbis, Cantor and Lynette are here for anyone wishing to speak to them on any bereavement issues you may have at this time. We take this opportunity to wish all those that mourn, long life and good memories.
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JMM during the 10 Days
- Monday 21 September (18:00-18:45) 'Connection' with Maxine Levy - Wednesday 23 September (18:00-18:45) 'Contentment' with Mika Hadar-Borthwick - Thursday 24 September (18:00-18:45) 'Awareness' with Maxine Levy - Friday 25 September (17:00-17:45) 'Readiness For Change' with Mika Hadar-Borthwick
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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.
