At a Special Meeting held last Sunday, the Community voted overwhelmingly to give a green light to the Alyth Building Project.
The vote in favour of the £5.8million project enables us to finalise designs, appoint a contractor and start the building work before the end of 2021, with a view to completion of the project in early Spring 2023. The project will give us a completely new Leo Baeck wing, as well as other repairs and refurbishments throughout the building.
We have so far received pledges of just over £3.2 million, including an incredible £1 million pledge from a wonderful Alyth family. Thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far. We would not be where we are without you. We will continue to fundraise during the construction phase and also when the building is complete, and invite the whole community to support the project in whatever way you can.
The website and weekly emails will include updates on the progress of the project and ways that you can be involved. If you would like to hear more, or if you would like to offer support, please contact us at buildwithus@alyth.org.uk
Thank you for your support. We are excited to be beginning this new chapter in Alyth's story together. Shabbat Shalom.
The Alyth Trustees Noeleen Cohen, Russell Baum (co-chairs); Caronne Graham, David Brown (vice-chairs); Arieh Miller, Nicky Minter-Green, Michael Overlander, Julia Simmonds, Michael Simon.
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FRIDAY 5 MARCH
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 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: 838 9037 0808, Passcode: 785089).
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 852 1528 5223, 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 6 MARCH
PRAY WITH US Bat Mitzvah Early Start Service (9:00) Rabbi Hannah is leading an early Shabbat morning service from the Youth Hall to mark the B’not Mitzvah of Milly Bell and Lizzie Ostrovsky. Please click hereto 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. You can join this service online by: Clicking here to join (Meeting ID: 889 3719 4821, Passcode: 544887).
LEARN WITH US Shabbat Morning Shiur (9:15) Today is Shabbat Parah, in which we read of the Parah Adumah, the red heifer – but what is this mysterious animal, and what is significance of the ritual described in the special Torah reading for this Shabbat? Join this shiur to explore some ancient and contemporary commentators as they grapple with these questions. With Rabbi Elliott. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Password: 602287).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott and Cantor Tamara from the Beit Tefillah. Rabbi Colin will join from home to give the sermon. This service is online only. Please click hereto 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: 842 9097 0936, Passcode: 785089). PRAY WITH US FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Shabbat Online (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 (Meeting ID: 923 1184 7370, Passcode: 148273).
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SUNDAY 7 MARCH
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 Tea-time Concert with Katie and Tom (16:00) Join Katie and Tom for a live concert streamed directly into your home. This varied programme will include repertoire from the operas, musicals and more. For all the community. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 857 5504 7435, Passcode: 785089).
MONDAY 8 MARCH PRAY WITH US IN PERSON We are delighted to be re-opening from this week for small in-person services in the Youth Hall. All in-person attendance at Alyth must be pre-booked. Monday Shacharit In Person and Online (08:30) With Rabbi Elliott. Click here to sign up for this service. This services will also be available online. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 854 5403 7876, Passcode: 785089)
BE WITH US Craft, Chat and Cuppa! (15:00-16:00) We would like to invite anyone who enjoys crafts to create gifts for Homeless Action in Barnet. Join us to make: tote bags (pattern provided), masks (pattern provided), hats, scarves, gloves, shawls, leg warmers, socks, blankets or rugs. (We’re happy to receive knitted or crocheted squares and we’ll find someone to sew them together).We also intend to make small cuddly toys for children and distribute them via food banks.If you have other suggestions of things to make or people to help please do let us know. If you have any unused wool or fabric please consider helping by donating it to the project. 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 9 MARCH
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: Shabbat in Jewish Life (20:00-21:00) Our regular introduction to Judaism class taught by our clergy with Jon Epstein. This week we look at the Jewish home and Kashrut. 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 10 MARCH BE WITH US News, Views and 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 11 MARCH
PRAY WITH US Thursday Shacharit (08:30) Our Thursday online Shacharit. 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 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: Haggadah Deconstructed (13:00-14:00) Throughout March, join Rabbi Josh to explore the textual origins and development of the Haggadah. We will take a journey through Tanakh, Midrash and Talmud, and will look at Haggadot of the past. In this session, we will look at the earliest incarnations of Seder night, as found in the Mishnah. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361, Password: 019498).
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FRIDAY 12 MARCH
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 hereto 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. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 833 3109 5461, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON We are delighted to be re-opening from this week for small in-person services in the Youth Hall. All in-person attendance at Alyth must be pre-booked. Early Start In Person Service (9:00) With Rabbi Hannah. Click here to sign up.
BE WITH US Synagogue Choir Rehearsal (09:15) Online choir rehearsal. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 836 0523 2483, Password: 943829). BE WITH US JMM on Saturday (09:15-10:15) 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 (Meeting ID: 844 520 435, Password: 753749).
PRAY WITH US Kollot Online Service (10:30) A Kollot style Bat Mitzvah service, led by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah from the Beit Tefillah. The service includes the Bat Mitzvah of Ayala Overlander-Kaye who will be giving our D'var Torah and reading Torah. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 846 3225 1374, Passcode: 785089). PRAY WITH US Nusach and New Music Shacharit (10:30) Join Cantor Tamara for a special Shacharit, incorporating a bit more traditional nusach and hazzanut, woven in with the Shabbat morning melodies we know and love. This service will join Kollot for the Torah service. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 826 9903 0141, Passcode: 311220).
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SPECIAL LEARNING IN MARCH Why the census matters to the Jewish Community with Dr Jonathan Boyd, Executive Director of JPR Thursday 18 March, 19:00-20:00 On 21 March 2021, the decennial United Kingdom census will take place. On the Thursday preceding census day, we are delighted to welcome Dr Jonathan Boyd, Executive Director of one of the organisations that uses the information in the census, the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. See the full Alyth March programme for more details.
Alyth Chevruta Project: Pirkei Avot After the success of the pilot programme, the Alyth Chevruta Project returns for another series during the Omer (between Pesach and Shavuot). New members of this group are welcome. We will be delighted to find you a study partner, or let us know if you already have someone in mind. See the full Alyth March programme for more details. A SPECIAL SERVICE IN MARCH Shabbat Tikvateinu – A Shabbat of Hope Friday 19 March, 18:30 On Erev Shabbat 19 March, we will mark a full year of services away from our Beit Tefillah. As we look forward to a return to a more normal world, we want to create a hopeful moment to mark this painful anniversary, bringing us together as we did in those first weeks. Please join us for a very special Erev Shabbat service. This will include a community candle lighting and Kiddush, so please prepare these in advance, and, if you can, join us on zoom with candles in view.
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PESACH 2021
1st Night Saturday 27 March 1st Day Services Sunday 28 March Communal Sedarim Sunday 28 March 7th Day Services Shabbat 2/3 April See our special Pesach flyer next week for more details.
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Mazel Tov
Mazal tov to the following Alyth members who were nominees at the Jewish Volunteer Network Awards. - Ruth Smilg and Rachel Martin for ‘Volunteer Team of the Year Award’ for their hard work co-ordinating the Alyth Darkness to Light Team. - The Refugee Drop In team for ‘Innovation in volunteering during the Covid-19 pandemic’. - Jack Baum for 'Volunteer of the Year' for his volunteering with the Together Project. Their nominations are a reflection of all the amazing volunteering that has taken place during this difficult time. Very well done and thank you to everyone.
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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. Click here for activities by other organisations.
