Over the last few months, we have been working hard to welcome members back to Alyth in person in a way which is compliant with government guidelines and reflects our core values in this complex time (click herefor the leadership letter from May, and herefor the values of Alyth reopening).
This week's announcement of a delay to the end of lockdown measures impacts on us in a number of ways: congregational singing is still not allowed inside; masks must be worn inside in all places of worship; social distancing remains in place; test and trace (and the requirement for self-isolation as a result of close contact) remains in operation, and so on. As a result, Alyth life still cannot return to anything like normality.
We are continuing to prioritise our communal prayer life and bringing young people back into the building. We are also primarily still running activities outside, which is safer and involves fewer restrictions.
To this end we are delighted to announce that the sukkah area at the front of the synagogue has now been transformed, with the area extended, and a single marquee replacing the patchwork of gazebos. This will allow us to begin to reintroduce some other aspects of our programme outside (though already the pressures on this space are significant, and we must be aware of the impact on our neighbours).
The newly developed area also means that we can increase the numbers who are able to attend in-person services. From today, places can now be reserved at two services on Shabbat morning, 26 June - a choral service with keyboard and our choral repetoire at 09:00 (30 places) and an Imrei Finu service which will start at 11:00 (35 places). Please note that for these services a reservation must be made for every individual who is planning to attend, including children. If, having reserved a place, you are unable to attend, we ask that you let us know so that someone on the waiting list can be given a place.
We look forward to welcoming more members in-person over the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience and for your appreciation of the importance of opening up in the right way.
Rabbi Josh, June 2021
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Returning this week: The Alyth Chevruta Project
The Alyth Chevruta Project returns after a short break for its third series. In this third series of ACP, we will look at more texts from Pirkei Avot. 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. Every following Thursday from 19:00-20:00, Rabbi Elliott and Rabbi Josh host a review session looking at the material, and answering questions coming out of the week of study. The first pack of this third series will be sent out tomorrow, and the first review session is next Thursday evening, 24 June. New participants are welcome - please contact Rabbi Elliott at acp@alyth.org.uk if you would like to join this exciting learning project.
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FRIDAY 18 JUNE
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den In Person (10:30) 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. There is very limited space in these services, which must be pre-booked by clicking here.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time (16:30-17:00) Those pre-school in age are invited to join us for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. There is very limited space in this service, which must be pre-booked by clicking here.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach 1-4 NOW ONLINE (17:00-18:00) The weather forecast for this evening means that we are unable to run Ruach on the forecourt, and are moving back online for this one week. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 832 9038 5347, Passcode: 727813).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh, Rabbi Hannah and Rabbi Elliott for the Erev Shabbat service from the Beit Tefillah. Please remember that this service is online only. Please click here to download the Erev Shabbat Supplement and the Community News with Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). 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 view the Reform Judaism siddur online.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 878 6832 6523, 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 19 JUNE PRAY WITH US Early Start Bar Mitzvah Service (09:00) An in-person service including the Bar Mitzvah of Zeb Imber. Led by Rabbi Josh in the Sukkah area. This service will also be online. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 878 3257 7388, Passcode: 311220).
BE WITH US Synagogue Choir Rehearsal (09:15-10:15) 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, as we begin to emerge from restrictions. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 844 520 435, Password: 753749).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Online Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Josh from the Beit Tefillah. This service will also be online. Please click here to download the Torah supplement and the Community News with Yahrzeit list (these will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon). Click here to join (Meeting ID: 845 9701 0998, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US Big Bang In-Person and Online (11:00) Our musical family service, live from the synagogue Sukkah area. In-person spaces are limited and must be pre booked by clicking here. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 840 7140 8269, Passcode: 311220).
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SUNDAY 20 JUNE BE WITH US Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:30) Our lay-led minyan with bagel breakfast (please provide your own bagels…) Led by Alyth members from their homes. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION SMG - Primary Jewish Education (10:00-11:00 online, 11:30-12:30 in-person) This half term, SMG will run both online and in-person. SMG online will continue to run from 10:00-11:00 for all classes. From 11:30, we are delighted to welcome back two classes at a time for in-person learning. In-person sessions must be pre-registered. In-Person SMG (11:30-12:30): Yrs 2/3 - 20 June Rec /Y1 - 27 June
BE WITH US Biblical Hebrew (11:00-12:00) A programme for those with high level hebrew reading ability. Email 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).
MONDAY 21 JUNE
PRAY WITH US Monday Shacharit Online (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) Creating gifts for Homeless Action in Barnet and small cuddly toys for children to be distributed via food banks. If you have any unused wool or fabric please let sam@alyth.org.uk know and 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).
BE WITH US Midsummer Concert with Cantor Tamara and Katie Hainbach (18:00-19:00) Join Katie Hainbach and Cantor Tamara for a Midsummer Concert in the Alyth sukkah, spanning genres and generations. This event will be hybrid and will be available for limited in-person attendance as well as streamed on Zoom. Click here to register in-person. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 886 1101 2179, Passcode: 311220). TUESDAY 22 JUNE
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. This week: Marriage. 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 23 JUNE PRAY WITH US Wednesday Ma'ariv (20:00-20:45) Join us for a mid-week evening service led by Alyth members. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 880 9384 2526, Passcode: 543468).
THURSDAY 24 JUNE
PRAY WITH US Thursday Shacharit (08:30) Our Thursday online Shacharit. 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:The Power of a Name (13:00-14:00) With guest teacher, Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner What’s in a name? What can we learn about Jewish history, about our families and our destinies from Jewish names? A four week romp through the transformation of Jewish names, exploring Torah, Jewish history, Talmud and Jewish law. Today's session: Fascinating rabbinic responses to ethical issues surrounding naming. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Password: 019498).
LEARN WITH US Alyth Chevruta Project: Review Session (19:00-20:00) The return of the Alyth Chevruta Project. See above for more information. Click here(Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259, Passcode: 138638) to join this review session with Rabbi Elliott. YOUTH AND EDUCATION Academy In Person (18:00-20:00) Alyth Academy of Performing Arts has been a feature of the Alyth calendar for over 20 years and we are so excited to be back! Come and learn what being in Academy is like and be together in person again. For all those going into year 8-13 from September 2021. Click here to register.
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FRIDAY 25 JUNE
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Baby Den (10:30) 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. There is very limited space in this service, which must be pre-booked by clicking here.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Pre-Shabbat Story Time (16:30-17:00) Those pre-school in age are invited to join us for a pre shabbat story to help bring in shabbat. There is very limited space in this service, which must be pre-booked by clicking here.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach In-Person (17:00-18:00) We are pleased to announce that in June, all of Ruach 1-4 are invited to join us in-person at Alyth for our Friday evening programme. Join Mike, Sophie, the Clergy team and our dedicated madrichim, who will share the joy of Hebrew music and games. Arrival from 16:45. This activity will take place outside. Please bring a mask and weather-appropriate clothing, sun cream/water.
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, as we begin to emerge from restrictions. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369, Passcode: 035091).
PRAY WITH US Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) With Rabbi Josh, Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott. Please remember that this service is online only. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 819 1064 7877, Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 26 JUNE PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Early Start Choral Service (09:00) The opportunity to sing together from Alyth’s choral tradition. This service will take place outside to allow congregational singing, with piano accompaniment. This service must be pre booked by clicking here. Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 849 4066 1715, Passcode: 741243).
PRAY WITH US Shabbat Morning Online Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott from the Beit Tefillah, including the Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Clare from home. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 825 1531 0500, Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Imrei Finu (11:00) Imrei Finu includes lots of singing to new and familiar melodies, davening and space for personal prayer, as well as an informal Torah reading. This service must be pre booked by clicking here. Please note the slightly later time. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 899 7153 3952, Passcode: 508541).
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SAVE THE DATE
Talking about Israel: A Special Evening for Teens (14+) with Solutions not Sides Monday 28 June (18:00-19:30) We are committed to supporting our young members’ engagement with the continuing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. This session, run in partnership with Solutions Not Sides, will explore the history of the conflict and have plenty of space for questions and discussion. Our guest speaker Ali Amla will be joining us online. You can join us online or in-person. In-person attendance must be pre-registered by clicking here. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 817 1002 2340, Passcode: 311220).
General Meeting of Congregants ONLINE Sunday 4 July, 10:30 We are delighted to invite you to a General Meeting of Congregants on Sunday 4 July 2021. Please click here to the see the Notice and Agenda for the meeting which will once again be held on Zoom. Click here to register for the meeting and receive the Zoom link.
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Alyth receives a Commendation at the Sandford St Martin's Awards 2021
We are delighted that last year's Alyth High Holy Day services received a high commendation at the 2021 Sandford St Martin awards last week. The annual Sandford St Martin Trustees’ Awards celebrate broadcasters who have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of religion, ethics or spirituality through broadcasting. This year's awards included a special community category recognising the context of pandemic. We are very proud that the quality and breadth of our High Holy Days provision for 2020 has been recognised in this way. Thank you to our member who put our name forwards.
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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.
