The Trustees met this week and made the decision to once again close the synagogue building to all members.
Coming together for small in-person activities has been joyous. Lighting the Chanukiah surrounded by members of the community renewed our hopes of being together again. But this must all be put on hold for now. While the regulations for national lockdown in England allow places of worship to remain open for prayer, the Trustees have consistently stated that the welfare of our Clergy, Professional Team and members, must be our priority. In the current context this means minimising contact with one another. All of our services and activities will therefore be online only.
Statistics this week show that London’s Covid-19 infection rate is the highest seen anywhere in the country since the start of the pandemic, with Barnet having one of the highest rates of infection. The Office of National Statistics announced that one in 30 Londoners was infected between 27 December and 2 January. The rapid transmission rate of the new variant of the virus means that we must stay home and be a virtual community for a bit longer.
The joy and familiarity of Shabbat b’Zoom will continue. Friday evening services will continue to be led by the Clergy Team from the Beit Tefillah. As well as the Shabbat morning service from the Beit Tefillah, with members joining from their homes, there will continue to be the range of additional online services that we have enjoyed over the past ten months. Please click here to see an updated version of the January programme, with listings of the services, regular programmes and activities that are happening online for members of all ages.
Our B’nei Mitzvah will revert to reading Torah for their community from home once again. We are especially grateful for the support and understanding of all the families who had hoped to be together in-person in the Youth Hall to celebrate this special moment.
The Prime Minister has stated that these measures will last until at least the end of the February Half Term (around 22 February). The Synagogue building will remain closed to members as long as England is under the current restrictions. We will assess the situation again when the Government guidance changes and make a decision that ensures the health, safety and wellbeing of our Clergy and Professional Team, and of our members.
Of course we miss being together, but we have mastered the technology and got to know one another on screen and on the doorstep. Over the past ten months we have celebrated, comforted, mourned and reached out in new ways. As we go into a new secular year, with renewed hope and light at the end of the tunnel, we have so much to be grateful for and so much to be proud of. Ours is an extraordinary community.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2021. Noeleen Cohen and Russell Baum, Chairs on behalf of the Trustee Board Rabbi Josh on behalf of the Clergy and Professional Team.
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FRIDAY 8 JANUARY
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, Passcode: 346202).
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time (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, Passcode: 785089).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach 1 Introduction (17:00-18:00) A special introductory session for families who are starting the B’nei Mitzvah journey this term. Click here to join (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, Passcode: 035091).
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 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: 843 2976 9666, 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 9 JANUARY LEARN WITH US Shiur: Responding to Refugees (9:15-10:15) One of the consequences of the pandemic is that we have not been able to run our regular refugee drop-in in the same way as normal. In this session with Rabbi Elliott and guests from Alyth and the Barnet Refugee service, we will discuss the current reality for refugees in our area, and the challenge of helping those in need when our normal responses are not possible. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Passcode: 602287).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Hannah from the Beit Tefillah including the Bat Mitzvah of Sasha Benowitz. Rabbi Elliott will give the sermon from his home. 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 hereto view the Reform Judaism siddur online. Clicking here to join (Meeting ID: 820 8660 6144, Passcode: 507417).
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Havdallah Shabbat (16:00) Havdalah is one of our most Sensory experiences. We see the flickering candle flame, smell the sweet spices and taste the wine. Join Rabbi Hannah for this special Sensory Havdalah experience where our youngest members can wave goodbye to Shabbat and prepare to start the week new. Feel free to wear your PJs or onesies! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 847 4272 4028, Passcode: 311220).
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SUNDAY 10 JANUARY 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 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 term we will be exploring prayer. To find out more or to enrol, please contact mike@alyth.org.uk. Reception - Year 2: Click here to join (Meeting ID: 844 4569 3329, Passcode: 138638). Year 3 - Year 6: Click here to join (Meeting ID: 853 4608 7290, Passcode: 261227).
MONDAY 11 JANUARY PRAY WITH US Monday Shacharit (08:30) Our Monday online Shacharit. 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) This group made over 100 gifts for the Refugee Drop-in. They are now thinking of other things to make, with many people joining to get encouragement to finish their past projects. Join Brenda and the Craft, Chat and Cuppa group for a good chat! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 588 095 846, Password: 468060).
TUESDAY 12 JANUARY
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 9 Hadracha (17:30-18:30) Our leadership training course covering teamwork, programme development, leading songs/games, role modelling, public speaking and much more! This is a great way to reconnect with your Alyth peers and build a future with your community. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 873 6286 0155, Passcode: 403496).
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: Short Course on Jewish History (20:00-21:00) Our regular introduction to Judaism class taught by our clergy with Jon Epstein. This week: 18 Figures in Jewish History of whom you should have heard. 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 13 JANUARY
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 Online (20:00-20:45) Join us for a mid-week evening service led by Alyth members. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 880 9384 2526, Passcode: 543468).
THURSDAY 14 JANUARY
PRAY WITH US Rosh Chodesh Shacharit Online (8:30) A special service for Rosh Chodesh including the singing of Hallel. Led by Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott. 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 allthe 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 - ‘Is this not a logical argument?’ Where halachah comes from? (13:00-14:00) The rabbis of the Talmud often struggle with the question of why Jewish law falls the way it does. Join Rabbi Elliott throughout January to examine this question through an account of what happens when Pesach falls on Shabbat, as it develops through different rabbinic texts. Ths week: Tosefta Pesachim 4:13-14 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).
LEARN WITH US Alyth Chevruta Project (19:00-20:00) We invite you to join us in a special learning project for the whole community. Chevruta is a classical form of Jewish study, in which two people grapple with a text together. In the lead-up to Purim, the Alyth Chevruta Project will set-up and support study in pairs of Tractate Megillah of the Mishnah. Every Friday, participants will be sent a study pack containing texts, questions and supporting material to study in chevruta. This pack will also be uploaded to www.alyth.org.uk/chevruta. Every following Thursday from 19:00-20:00, a member of the clergy team will host a review session looking at the material, and answering questions coming out of the week of study. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259, Passcode: 138638).
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FRIDAY 15 JANUARY
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, Passcode: 346202).
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time (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, Passcode: 785089).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach (17:00-18:00) 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. Ruach 4: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 (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliot 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: 840 5779 7199, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY BE WITH US Community Choir Rehearsals (9:15-10:15) Online choir rehearsal. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 836 0523 2483, Password: 943829).
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) Led by Rabbi Hannah from the Beit Tefillah with members from their homes. Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 821 5571 2908, Passcode: 785089).
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Online Table Talk:
Tu B’Shvat Gin Tasting
Thursday 28 January (20:00-21:00)
On Tu B’Shevat we traditionally have a seder based around different categories of fruit and cups of wine. This year, instead of four cups of wine, join us for four gin and tonics. Emma Parker, Co-Founder and Director of Madam Geneva & Gent Gin Experiences, will be joining us to taste four gins with fruity tasting notes. Learn about the history of gin and see which fruits you can detect on the palate. There will be a charge of £20 to cover the cost of the Gin, but you can attend without the official set. Pleaseclick hereto sign up by Monday 18 January so we can order the appropriate amount and send it to you.
Celebrate Tu B’Shvat with us at our Annual Alyth Supper Quiz. We can’t sit together, but we can join together over Zoom for an interactive new format. Click here to register so that we can send you additional material including the first marathon round, cocktail recipes and joining instructions. This will be sent to you on 24 January. Please note you can join as groups or individuals. However each zoom user will be considered a ‘team’. This year will be different but it will still be great fun!
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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 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.
