Tu B’Shvat higgia, Hag Ha-Ilanot Tu B’Shvat is here, the festival of trees
Today is Tu B’Shvat. Join us for special events including a special Table Talk Gin Tasting, and the Annual Quiz on Sunday 31 January – this year, online See below for more details
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THURSDAY 28 JANUARY EVENING
LEARN WITH US Alyth Chevruta Project (19:00-20:00) Chevruta is a classical form of Jewish study, in which two people grapple with the text together. In the Alyth Chevruta Project, participants are sent a study pack on a Friday containing texts, questions and supporting material to study in chevruta. This pack is also uploaded to www.alyth.org.uk/chevruta. Every following Thursday from 19:00-20:00, Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Elliott host a review session looking at the material, and answering questions coming out of the week of study. In the lead-up to Purim, ACP is studying Tractate Megillah of the Mishnah. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259, Passcode: 138638).
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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. It is too late to order the specific gin, but you can attend without the official set. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 828 9438 0432, Passcode: 785089).
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FRIDAY 29 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 (17:15-18:15) 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 Rabbi Josh 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: 889 5845 5800, 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 30 JANUARY PRAY WITH US Bat Mitzvah Early Start Service (9:00) Rabbi Josh is leading an online early Shabbat morning service to mark the Bat Mitzvah of Emma Domb.
BE WITH US Synagogue Choir Rehearsal (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 Elliott and Rabbi Josh with Rabbi Colin joining from home. Please remember that this service is online only. Please click here to download the Torah portion 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: 859 6714 0774, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US Wellbeing Service (10:30) Join Cantor Tamara 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 to join (Meeting ID: 873 9281 7736, Passcode: 311220).
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SUNDAY 31 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).
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.
BE WITH US Singing for Pleasure (15:00-16:00) Join Viv and sing songs from the shows, Israeli folksongs, songs from the 60s and much, much more. No need to audition, read music or feel intimidated. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 731 393 138, Password: 197916).
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. 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! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 871 0048 5108, Passcode: 785089).
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MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY PRAY WITH US Monday Shacharit (08:30) Our Monday online Shacharit. This morning with Cantor Tamara. 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).
BE WITH US Alyth Book Club (18:30-19:30) This month's book is "All Who Go Do Not Return" by Shulem Deen. Click here for more information about the book. Join Rabbi Colin and Katie for our monthly Book Club discussion. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 816 0975 2765, Passcode: 785089). Future books are: - 1 March: Beware of God by Shalom Auslander - 5 April: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY
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: 837 4994 1137, Passcode: 500794).
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: Confronting Modernity: new challenges, new Jewish answers. 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 3 FEBRUARY
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 4 FEBRUARY
PRAY WITH US Thursday Shacharit (08:30) Our Thursday online Shacharit for Tu B'Shvat. This morning with 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 (13:00-14:00) Each week in February we will look at a different character from the megillah with a different member of the Alyth Clergy. This week: Vashti with Rabbi Hannah. 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) Chevruta is a classical form of Jewish study, in which two people grapple with the text together. In the Alyth Chevruta Project, participants are sent a study pack on a Friday containing texts, questions and supporting material to study in chevruta. This pack is also uploaded to www.alyth.org.uk/chevruta. Every following Thursday from 19:00-20:00, Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Elliott host a review session looking at the material, and answering questions coming out of the week of study. In the lead-up to Purim, ACP is studying Tractate Megillah of the Mishnah. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259, Passcode: 138638).
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FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY
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 (17:15-18:15) 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).
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 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: 865 8337 1498, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY LEARN WITH US Shiur: The Ten Commandments in Midrash (9:15-10:15) Join Rabbi Josh as we explore the treatment of the Ten Commandments in midrash, looking especially at rabbinic stories which give examples of how we should behave. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Passcode: 602287).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Josh from the Beit Tefillah with Rabbi Elliott giving the sermon from home.Please remember that this service is online only. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 5311 2690, Passcode: 785089).
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Shabbat (11:00) Our Shabbat experience designed to stimulate your babies’ senses in the first years of their life. Join Rabbi Hannah in this service where you and your baby can touch, see, smell and hear your way through the service. Click here to join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 923 1184 7370, Passcode: 148273).
ANOTHER SONG WILL RISE A celebration of the legacy of Debbie Friedman (18:30) Cantor Tamara will join musicians from around the globe to celebrate and sing some of Debbie's extraordinary melodies, which revolutionised the sound of Jewish music around the world. Click here to book your free ticket.
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Darkness into Light Community Project
We still need your help.
As many of you will know the Darkness into Light Community Project has been running since the first lockdown last March. We thank all those who have volunteered to reach out and be in touch with many of our members. Changing circumstances has meant that some of our volunteers are no longer able to continue and we are now looking for other members to come forward to help with the Project.
If you feel you can help us by making calls to one or two people on a regular basis (this could mean once a week or once a month), then please do let us know. These calls have been very much appreciated and so many new friendships have blossomed.
If you can volunteer a little time to be a part of this community project then please contact Sarah Langsford at sarahcc@alyth.org.uk or call 020 8457 8787.
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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.
Some of our partner organisations are also running programmes during this period. Click here to see additional programming offered by Reform Judaism that you are invited to join.
