A reflection on the Yamim Noraim from the Clergy and Professional Team
For the Alyth clergy and professional team, one of the strangest aspects of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur was the feeling that we were in a bubble: leading services, discussions and sessions but not really knowing how they were being received, what the experience was like on the other side of the screen.
We have therefore been profoundly moved to receive literally hundreds of emails, letters and messages over the last few days. Thank you to everyone who has written to us. We cannot express how much this has meant. In these extraordinary times, it is very restorative for us all to know that our efforts have been appreciated. We promise that we will reply to every email and letter, but please bear with us, as the life of Alyth (especially during the month of Tishrei) never stops.
It is hard to know exactly how many households joined Alyth over Yom Kippur. The data suggests that well over 2500, possibly as many as 4000 computers logged on to an Alyth service via Zoom, YouTube or Facebook at some point during the day. Thank you for being with us.
As the situation continues to evolve, we remain committed to providing a diverse, rich, creative programme online, alongside our smaller in-person offerings. For as long as we are unable to be a whole community together in person in the way we once were, we will keep finding ways of making our Judaism joyful, challenging, and inspiring online. We invite you to be with us in this ‘adventure of the soul’.
The adventure continues at Sukkot. Please click here here for details of our Sukkot services and activities. Click here or more details about our Sukkot Sleep-In.
This might also be the perfect year to try to build your own sukkah. Click here for a guide on how to build a sukkah at home.
Chag sameach from everyone at Alyth.
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EREV SUKKOT - FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat and Sukkot 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 are invited to join Rabbi Hannah for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. This week live in the Sukkah. Please note that this service is subject to the weather and the website will be updated if it is cancelled, please check before you travel. There are only 2 places left, click here to sign up.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach @ home (17:00-18:15) Our programme for pre-b'nai mitzvah members. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
BE WITH US Sing With Us (17:45-18:15) Begin Sukkot with old and new melodies with Cantor Tamara and Katie Hainbach. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 868 9964 1193, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US Erev Sukkot Service (18:30-19:30) Join our clergy as they lead the Erev Sukkot and Shabbat service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. This service will be led from the Shabbat Siddur, with an additional supplement. Click here for the Siddur online. Click here for the supplement and to download the Community News and Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). Click here to join (Meeting ID: 868 9964 1193, Passcode: 785089). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel. This can be accessed by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS
BE WITH US The Alyth Sukkot Sleep-In and Oneg (20:30) This year would have been the 29th annual Sukkot Sleepout. As we are unable to join together in our Sukkah as normal, in its place we are delighted to announce the first (and hopefully only) Alyth Sukkot Sleep-In! We are inviting the whole Alyth community, and especially our young people, to create an indoor temporary dwelling to sleep in overnight. Use blankets, pillows, fairy lights and lots of imagination, before joining us for an hour of songs and readings. As well as singing together we will also explore the stars together as if we were looking through the roofs of our sukkah on a clear autumn night. To join the virtual star gazing aspect of the evening, please download SkyView Lite. (You can also join the oneg without the fairy lights!) Click here to join (Meeting ID: 810 5493 9943, Passcode: 785089).
SUKKOT MORNING - SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (9:00-10:00) A small in-person Shacharit Service with Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah in the synagogue sukkah. Please note that this service must be pre-booked and is subject to the weather (please check the website before leaving home). This service is full.
LEARN WITH US Homelessness in Barnet: Where are we now, and what can we do? (9:15-10:15) One of the consequences of the pandemic is that we have to think differently about homelessness and our response. In this session with Rabbi Elliott (who is a former Chair of Together in Barnet Night Shelter), Laura Fox and Darren Haringman (co-chairs of Together in Barnet Night Shelter), Stuart Slater (trustee of Homeless Action in Barnet), and Ruth Smilg (Alyth's Night Shelter co-ordinator), we will discuss the current reality for homeless people in Barnet and the challenge of how to tackle homelessness when our normal responses are not possible. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 843 6146 6457, Passcode: 138638).
BE WITH US JMM on Saturday (9:15-10:15) Jewish Mindfulness Meditation helps us to open our hearts and find peace through our spiritual heritage, especially in these challenging times. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 844 520 435, Password: 753749).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Our Sukkot and Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. The sermon will be given by Student Rabbi Nicola Feuchtwang. See below for details of a Torah service breakout study session. This service will be led from the Shabbat Siddur, with an additional supplement. Click here for the Siddur online. Click here for the supplement and to download the Community News and Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon).
Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 850 0407 3683, Passcode: 785089). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel. This can be accessed by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS.
LEARN WITH US Torah Breakout At the Torah Service you are invited to join Rabbi Colin for a study breakout. "Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field." How have these blessings, 'promised' to us in our Torah reading, been understood in our tradition? Some obvious ones - but also some surprises... Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 835 9649 0891, Passcode: 138638).
YOUNG FAMILIES IN-PERSON Sensory in the Sukkah (10:45-11:30 and 12:00-12:45) Families with babies are invited to sign up for a very special Sensory service in the Sukkah. Each family will need to bring their own picnic blanket to sit on and will be directed to a designated area of the Sukkah. Please note that this service must be pre-booked and is subject to the weather. Click here to sign up.
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SUKKOT THROUGH THE WEEK
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah One of the joys of Sukkot is the singing of Hallel and shaking of Lulav and Etrog. This year, to enable as many members as possible to enjoy this mitzvah, we will be running daily, in-person Shacharit services in the synagogue sukkah. Please note that these services must be pre-booked and are subject to the weather (please check the website before leaving home). Sunday 4 October (10:00-11:00) with Rabbi Josh - please note the later time Monday 5 October (9:00-10:00) with Cantor Tamara Tuesday 6 October (9:00-10:00) with Rabbi Hannah Wednesday 7 October (9:00-10:00) with Rabbi Elliott Thursday 8 October (9:00-10:00) with Rabbi Elliott Friday 9 October (9:00-10:00) with Rabbi Josh Click here to sign up
BE WITH US IN-PERSON Sukkah Drop in Throughout the week there will be opportunities for members to come and sit in the Alyth Sukkah and to shake the Lulav and Etrog. Hosted by the Alyth clergy team. These sessions do not need to be pre-booked but you will be asked to sign in and by doing so you agree that we can share your details with NHS track and trace if necessary. If others are in the Sukkah when you arrive, please queue as directed, respecting social distancing. These sessions will take place even if it is raining, so please bring an umbrella.
Monday 5 October (10:30-11:30 and 17:00-18:00) Tuesday 6 October (10:30-11:30 and 17:00-18:00) Thursday 8 October (10:30-11:30 and 17:00-18:00)
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SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 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.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth Sunday Morning ⟳Reloaded⟳ (ASMR). Our Sunday morning programme open to everyone from Reception to Year 6. 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).
MONDAY 5 OCTOBER
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 Book Club (18:30-19:30) This month's book is The Third Daughter by Talia Carner. Join Rabbi Colin and Katie for our monthly Book Club discussion. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 816 0975 2765, Passcode: 785089).
TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER
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).
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 7 OCTOBER
BE WITH US News, Views & Schmooze (11:00-12:00) 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. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 810 6650 1155, Password: 847786).
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 8 OCTOBER
BE WITH US Mellow Chair Yoga (11:00-12:00) Our special Chair Yoga and Meditation with Maxine, open to all ages wishing to enhance overall mental and physical wellbeing! 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... (13:00-14:00) This month, looking at our favourite Jewish villians or troublesome characters in our texts or history. This week with Cantor Tamara. Click herefor the source sheets being used in the session (available from Thursday morning) Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361, Password: 019498).
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SIMCHAT TORAH
Please look out for your special Simchat Torah email, which will be sent next Tuesday, with details of all our Simchat Torah services and activities.
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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. 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. 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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HIGH HOLY DAY MACHZORIM
Did you borrow a High Holy Day Machzor from Alyth? If so, please remember to bring it back to the synagogue during office hours. Thank you
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Financial Support - How we can help
We believe that everybody who wishes should feel able to be a member of Alyth irrespective of ability to pay. In these difficult times, please do not leave the shul for financial reasons. If you are facing financial challenges, 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
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, for example in cases of hospitalization or bereavement. This number will be answered by a member of the Alyth professional team.
