Please click here for the updated November programme.
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NEW - LOCKDOWN THURSDAYS Anti-Semitism in the Labour Party – Where are we now? Thursday 12 November, 19:00-20:00 In the first of our special Thursday evening discussions to get us through this second lockdown, we are delighted to welcome Mike Katz, National Movement Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, and Alyth member Adam Langleben, JLM's Campaign Officer and former Barnet Labour councillor, who left the Labour Party in 2019 and was deeply involved in the EHRC investigation. Together we will discuss the findings of the EHRC report, the events that followed, and the current state of the Labour Party. Is the current Labour Party a safe place for Jews, and if not, what still needs to be done? Hosted by Rabbi Josh. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 836 9118 9791, Passcode: 785089).
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FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER
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. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 142 813 452 Password: 346202). YOUTH & EDUCATION RUACH (17:00-18:15) This half-term, we will once again be bringing Ruach 1- 4 all together on Zoom for our Friday evening programme. Join Mike & Sophie and our team of madrichim, who will help you to engage with Torah and offer breakout spaces during the sessions to connect with your Ruach cohort. Families of students in Ruach 4 please note: as we are currently unable to deliver an in-person mentoring programme, Mike will also be in contact with students individually in the month of their ceremony to arrange support for the writing of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prayer. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
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. 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: 868 4561 0368, 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 14 NOVEMBER 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 Josh and Cantor Tamara are running a guitar led Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah. This service includes the Bat Mitzvah of Talia Pitish. 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: 870 8786 8317, Passcode: 138638).
PRAY WITH US Shacharit Deconstructed (10:30) Our regular study service in which we take apart the morning service to understand more about its origins, structure and core ideas. This month we will explore moments in our service that link back to Temple sacrifice. What does it mean in the twenty-first century to pray for the return of God to Zion? Have we left all that behind, or do we still yearn for a return to animal sacrifice? With Rabbi Elliott. Click here for the special booklet for this service (this will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon) Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 880 6890 1957, Passcode: 785089).
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MITZVAH DAY - SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Please click here for details of how you can get involved in Mitzvah Day with Alyth this Sunday. Click here for guidelines from Mitzvah Day on how you can be involved in activities safely throughout the month.
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SUNDAY 15 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).
YOUTH & EDUCATION Alyth Sunday Mornings (10:00-11:00) SMG covers a wide range of topics, challenging our young members to question and form their own understanding of Jewish practice; through games, arts and crafts, discussion and more. This half term, join our team of educators and madrichim, as we explore the circles of Tikkun, with activities for our young people to digest the Jewish concept of being kind to ourselves, our community, and the world. Reception - Year 2:Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 844 4569 3329, Passcode: 138638). Year 3 & 4:Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 853 4608 7290, Passcode: 261227). Year 5 & 6:Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 879 3016 1529, Passcode: 429937).
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 & EDUCATION Madrichim Quiz Night (17:00-18:00) For all madrichim to join Sophie and Mike for a night of trivia with a quiz prepared by some of your fellow madrichim. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 854 0293 6645, Passcode: 368080)
MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US Monday Shacharit Online (08:30) Our weekday Shacharit moves online. This morning with Rabbi Elliott. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 854 5403 7876, Passcode: 785089).
BE WITH US Craft, Chat and Cuppa! (15:00-16:00) The Craft, Chat and Cuppa group are making small presents for the Alyth Refugee Drop-in participants. Please join us in knitting a scarf or beany hat, silk flowers, or even creating collage pictures. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 588 095 846, Password: 468060).
TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US Service for Rosh Chodesh Kislev (08:30) A special service for Rosh Chodesh Kislev on Tuesday 17 November. With Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott, including the singing of Hallel. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 830 2815 3940, 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). YOUTH & EDUCATION Year 10 Hadracha (17:30-18:30) Our hadracha training programme, remodelled to enable participants to continue learning and to simulate leadership online. Join Sophie & Mike on zoom as you delve deeper into your leadership journey with Alyth. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 873 6286 0155, Passcode: 403496).
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, taught by Rabbi Josh. This week: The Formation of Judaism: Rabbinic Literature – Aggadah. 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 18 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 19 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US Thursday Shacharit Online (08:30) Our weekday Shacharit moves online. This morning with Cantor Tamara. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 854 8574 6664, Passcode: 785089).
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: Bavli (b.Sanhedrin 99b-100a) 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).
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NEW - LOCKDOWN THURSDAYS
Civil Rights in Israel Thursday, 19 November, 19:00-20:00 Join Rabbi Josh and guests from ACRI - the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, including Executive Director Sharon Abraham-Weiss and Gadeer Nikola, director of the Arab Minority Unit. Founded in 1972, ACRI is a policy driven, non-profit organization protecting the human rights and civil liberties of all people living in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Over the past year, ACRI has worked to protect civil rights in Israel in the context of the Covid crisis including its impact on freedom of expression and personal privacy. We welcome ACRI in conjunction with the New Israel Fund UK. ACRI received one of the New Israel Fund UK’s Human Rights Award 2020 at their ceremony last week. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 836 9118 9791, Passcode: 785089).
Next week's Lockdown Thursday, 26 November The Performing Arts in a time of Pandemic Cantor Tamara and Katie Hainbach host a special hour with guests who work in the performing arts, sharing their experiences of the last 8 months. Special guests include Raye Cosbert, Sarah Playfair, and Debbie Chazen.
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FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER
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).
YOUTH & EDUCATION RUACH (17:00-18:15) This half-term, we will once again be bringing Ruach 1- 4 all together on Zoom for our Friday evening programme. Join Mike & Sophie and our team of madrichim, who will help you to engage with Torah and offer breakout spaces during the sessions to connect with your Ruach cohort. Families of students in Ruach 4 please note: as we are currently unable to deliver an in-person mentoring programme, Mike will also be in contact with students individually in the month of their ceremony to arrange support for the writing of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prayer. Click here to join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
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 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 (Meeting ID: 880 6209 4029, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER LEARN WITH US Shabbat Shiur (9:15-10:15) Our fortnightly Shabbat morning shiur, currently taught online. This week with Rabbi Colin. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Password: 602287).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) A guitar led service with Rabbi Josh led from the Beit Tefillah. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Bayfield, reading Torah from home. The sermon will be given by Rabbi Josh. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 815 9661 6030, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US Little Bang (11:00) A smaller online version of our musical family service led by Cantor Tamara and Mark Greenfield. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 817 4605 8524, Passcode: 216040).
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Chanukah Delivery Volunteers
Our 'Darkness into Light' project are looking for volunteers to deliver Chanukah parcels to children in the Alyth community. These deliveries will take place during the week commencing 7 December. If you are able to help please contact Ruth Smilg at ruthcc@alyth.org.uk.
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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
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The Board of Reform Judaism strive to have in place the highest possible standards for safeguarding. The Board of Reform Judaism has commissioned an Independent Review of Safeguarding; their statement regarding this can be read on our website. The Review is underway, carried out by Jim Dyson of SAB Safeguarding. If you would like to contribute to the Review, please email Jim at sabsafeguardingjim@gmail.com, who will speak with you in confidence.
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 by a member of the Alyth professional team between 08:00 and 21:00. 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.
