As we enter what we fear will be a difficult winter, we are committed to continuing to provide as full an Alyth programme as possible, to be a source of stability in uncertain times.
Click here to see the regular Alyth programming for November so you can plan the month ahead. This includes our services, study sessions, discussion groups, and our re-imagined Youth and Education programmes.
For more details of programmes, including zoom links, and special events, see our weekly Thursday email.
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FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat, this week with Cantor Tamara. 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 on Zoom (Meeting ID: 142 813 452 Password: 346202).
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. 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 with 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: 811 0991 0552, 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.youtube.com/c/AlythRS.
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Shabbat morning early Shacharit (09:00) An early start in-person service in the Youth Hall. This service, with Rabbi Josh is one of a series of pilot indoor activities as we explore what it is like to reopen parts of the synagogue building. A few notes about the protective measures for this service: Windows on both sides of the Youth Hall will be open throughout the service, so appropriate clothing should be worn. Masks must be worn in Places of Worship at all times by anyone over the age of 12 who is not exempt. No congregational singing is permitted. The officiating clergy will be leading/singing facing away from the community or from behind screens. Click here to sign up. 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) Rabbi Elliott and Katie Hainbach are running the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Please click here to download the Torah sheet and the Community News with 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: 889 6993 7507, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US Wellbeing Service (10:30) Join Lynette Sunderland 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. Click here for the special booklet for this service (this will be availbale from 17:00 Friday afternoon) Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 824 3676 4053, Passcode: 138638).
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SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 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 2 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (9:00) A small in-person Shacharit Service in the synagogue sukkah with Rabbi Elliott. 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).
BE WITH US Alyth Book Club (18:30-19:30) This month's book is Pumpkinflowers: A Soldier's Story of Forgotten War by Matti Friedman. Join Rabbi Colin and Katie for our monthly Book Club discussion. Click here for more information about the book (external link). Click here to join (Meeting ID: 816 0975 2765, Passcode: 785089).
TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER
IN-PERSON YOUTH & EDUCATION Year 10 Hadracha (17:30-18:30) Our leadership training course covering teamwork, programme development, leading songs/games, role modelling, public speaking and much more.
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 regular introduction to Judaism class taught by our clergy with Jon Epstein. Our short course on Jewish texts continues with four sessions taught by Rabbi Josh. This week: Different genres in biblical texts and how they are used. 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 4 NOVEMBER
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 hereto 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 5 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US IN-PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (9:00) A small in-person Shacharit Service in the synagogue sukkah with Cantor Tamara. 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 Short Course: The Apikoros (13:00-14:00) Is Judaism a community of belief? What would it mean to be a Jewish heretic? How did the authors of the Talmud feel about questioning the words of Torah or the edicts of the Rabbis? Join Rabbi Elliott for a 4-week series in which we will delve into these questions through a study of the heretical figure of the Apikoros. We are told that the Apikoros is not worthy of a place in the world to come, but who were they and why did the rabbis of the Talmud find them so threatening to their religious community? This week: The Mishnah (m. Sanh 10:1, m.Avot 2:14) with commentaries. Click herefor the source sheets being used in the session (available from Thursday morning) Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361, Password: 019498).
IN-PERSON YOUTH & EDUCATION FOR RUACH GROUPS 1 & 2 ONLY (17:00-18:00) Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah programme that asks the question, "What does it mean to become a Jewish adult?" Through an exploration of Torah, Prayer & Acts of Kindness, our B’nei Mitzvah can debate, explore, and create together as they grapple with their personal Jewish identity.
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FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER
IN-PERSON FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30-11:00) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat with Cantor Tamara. Sing your favourite Baby Den songs, dance to a shabbat beat and wave to some familiar faces. For families with Young Children. The service is indoors and will be subject to strict distancing and protective measures to protect staff and members. Click here to book. FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time (16:30-17:00) Those pre-school in age are invited to join Cantor Tamara for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 423 529 768 Password: 785089).
IN-PERSON YOUTH & EDUCATION FOR RUACH 4 ONLY (17:00-18:00) The final stage of the Alyth Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey introduces the mentoring programme. Young members who have experienced their Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony return as volunteers to support those in their final term before their ceremony. Our aim is that everyone can build confidence to write and share their Bar/Bat Mitzvah prayer, a unique articulation of their Jewish journey.
BE WITH US JMM on Friday (17:15-18:15) 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: 977 611 369 Password: 035091).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Cantor Tamara 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 (Meeting ID: 892 1467 6279, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER LEARN WITH US Shabbat Shiur (9:15-10:15) Our fortnightly Shabbat morning shiur, currently taught online. With Rabbi Elliott. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Password: 602287).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Cantor Tamara and Katie Hainbach are running the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. This service includes the Bat Mitzvah of Amelie Rosen. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 868 1291 3310, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Shacharit in the Sukkah (10:30) An in-person service with Rabbi Elliott in the synagogue sukkah (weather allowing…). This service must be pre-booked. Click here to sign up.
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Remembering Kristallnacht
Alyth, in partnership with the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre and Generation 2 Generation invites you to remember Kristallnacht and reflect on its impact on our community.
Staying Home, Remembering Together – Kristallnacht Sunday 8 November, 20:00 Join Memories in the Living Room for a virtual gathering and reflections on Zoom. During the session we will hear stories of those who survived and share our thoughts on its significance to our community.
Havdalah and commemoration Monday 9 November, 10:15 Rabbi Josh and Cantor Tamara will join members of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre for a special Havdalah and commemoration ceremony on Zoom.
Please email JCPresents@jcare.org, for Zoom joining details.
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Rabbi Hannah on sabbatical
Every few years, Alyth clergy take a sabbatical to learn, write and recharge. Rabbi Hannah will be taking a short sabbatical from Sunday 25 October to Thursday 26 November. We wish her well for a restorative month. During this period, please contact beth@alyth.org.uk who will make sure that your enquiry is directed to the right person.
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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.
