On Simchat Torah we connect past and future, as we move straight from Moses’ death to Creation. We start again, never stopping. So it is for Alyth.
The High Holy Days and Sukkot are hardly behind us, having brought us together in unique and inspiring ways. This Shabbat, without a pause, we will celebrate Simchat Torah, reimagined to enable us to connect with one another, to see the scrolls and to share some sweetness. Please click here for details of our Simchat Torah services and activities. The Great Alyth Torah Tour, the biggest hakkafah in Alyth’s history is coming to a street near you. Click here for an "interactive" Google map of the route.
Simchat Torah is also a time to celebrate those who make Alyth a community of mutual care and sacred connection. This year we will celebrate Alyth as a community of volunteers, expressing our gratitude to the hundreds of members who have volunteered over the past few months, including those who came forward to be part of our Darkness into Light programme. We invite you to join the service to honour the many aspects of volunteering that ensure that our community continues to thrive.
As Alyth doesn't stop, so too our team of Clergy and Professionals . Their dedication and imagination has carried us from lockdown, through Ellul and into the High Holy Days and Sukkot. Now as we celebrate Simchat Torah and our community of volunteers, it is also a moment to express our enormous gratitude to our Rabbis, Cantor, team of professionals, educators and support staff. Thank you, from the Leadership and the community, to each and every one of the team. Your care, generosity and inspiration has given us all a community that we are incredibly proud to be a part of.
As we move out of the Yamim Noraim and reflect on the incredible experience that our Clergy and Staff crafted and delivered, it is now a moment to step back, to rest and to reset. Over the coming weeks, we will be encouraging the Alyth Team to take time out, to rest and care for themselves. Their wellbeing is our wellbeing.
Of course, our weekly services and programming will not stop. The Team will also be working on plans for reopening the building, beginning with some pilot programmes that will take place inside the building next week.
The continuity and resilience that are at the heart of Simchat Torah have sustained us for centuries. As we celebrate the renewed hope and possibility of Simchat Torah, we are proud that we continue to be a sacred and joyful community. Chag Sameach.
Noeleen Cohen and Russell Baum
.
EREV SIMCHAT TORAH FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER
IN-PERSON 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.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. Only two places left. Click here to sign up.
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.Click here to sign up.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach: Simchat Torah Special (17:00-18:15) Our programme for pre-b'nai mitzvah members. This weekend, please join Sophie & Mike online for a special Simchat Torah celebration, filled with creative stories, hakafot, treasure hunts, music & song and of course something sweet. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
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. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091). PRAY WITH US Erev Simchat Torah Service (18:30-19:30) A special service to welcome in Shabbat and Simchat Torah. This year, we may not be able to dance together, but we can still dance as if no one is watching! Join our special hakkafot: seven songs to represent the seven hakkafot, with dances you can do without leaving your chair. Click here for the supplement and to download the Community News and Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). After the service, we invite you to stay for a short drink with other Alyth members. Members joining us on zoom will split into breakout rooms for a quick l’chaim from home with one another. You might want to join the l’chaim with a special cocktail – click here to find some Simchat Torah appropriate cocktails and mocktails to try at home.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 892 4496 6637, 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
SIMCHAT TORAH MORNING SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER
The Great Alyth Torah Tour (from 9:00) Join the biggest Simchat Torah hakkafah in Alyth’s history, as the Alyth minibus drives a 10 mile circuit, bringing clergy and sifrei torah to you. And, it wouldn’t be an Alyth Simchat Torah without special sweet bags for our kids, and a little drink for the adults. Wave down the bus to say hello, see the scrolls, and to get your goodies. Click here to see the route and approximate timings. If you are coming out to meet the Alyth bus, please remember the rule of six if you see other Alyth members. We will be livestreaming as we go, including announcing where we are on the route. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 838 7503 3176, Passcode: 810846).
PRAY WITH US Simchat Torah Morning Service (10:30) As the big hakkafah continues, join us online for the start of our morning service with shacharit led by Rabbi Josh and Katie Hainbach, with a combination of choral and non-choral singing, accompanied by piano and guitar. Rabbi Hannah, Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott will join in time for our virtual hakkafot, once again including seven songs to represent the seven hakkafot, with dances you can join without leaving your chair.
Torah Service (from approx 11:30): a celebration of Alyth volunteering The last few months has seen as flourishing of volunteering in our community. Hundreds of members of all ages came forwards for our ‘Darkness to Light’ programme and to help the community to continue to thrive. In our special Torah service for Simchat Torah, we will celebrate Alyth as a community of volunteers. As we begin reading Torah again, each day of creation will be accompanied by a short video highlighting an area of volunteering in our community since March. Followed by concluding prayers, which will include a brief musaf and yizkor. 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 Shacharit and the Torah Service on Zoom (Meeting ID: 879 4869 0989, 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.
.
SUNDAY 11 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): Simchat Torah Special Our Sunday morning programme open to everyone from Reception to Year 6. This weekend, please join Sophie & Mike online for a special Simchat Torah celebration, filled with creative stories, hakafot, treasure hunts, music & song and of course something sweet. 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 12 OCTOBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (9:00) 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 13 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).
LEARN WITH US E-ssentials: Texts - what is the bible? (20:00-21:00) Our regular introduction to Judaism class begins its annual short course on Jewish texts, who wrote them and what they contain. 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 14 OCTOBER
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 15 OCTOBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (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, 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 Rabbi Hannah. Click herefor the source sheets being used in the session (available from Thursday morning) Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361, Password: 019498).
.
FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER
IN-PERSON 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 sign up.
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. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 423 529 768 Password: 785089).
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). PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join our Clergy 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: 839 8049 5020, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
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 Bat Mitzvah Service (9:00) Rabbi Hannah is leading an early Shabbat morning service to mark the Bat Mitzvah of Maya Grosman. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 891 5776 9197, Passcode: 138638).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Rabbi Elliott and Rabbi Hannah are running the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 847 6065 2111, Passcode: 785089).
.
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.
.
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
.
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.
