Chanukah 5782: Lightings of Return Chanukah is, at its core, a celebration of return to a place of worship. The first Chanukah was an opportunity for the Maccabees to mark the festival of Sukkot that they had missed through their exclusion from the Temple. This Chanukah, our lightings will be ‘lightings of return’, as we mark our coming back to the Alyth building.
1st night - Sunday 28 November Many Alyth families were unable to be together for Chanukah last year, so will want to gather on this first evening. There will therefore not be a formal Alyth candle lighting on this evening. If you would like to share this first night Chanukah with another Alyth member, or can host another Alyth member to light with you, please contact Lynette.
2nd night - Monday 29 November (18:30) A special lighting for those who have been bereaved since March 2020 Bereavement without the ability to say kaddish together in person has been an especially challenging aspect of the pandemic. We begin our special Chanukah ‘lightings of return’ with an evening especially for those who have lost a loved one in the past 20 months. Beginning at 18:30 with light refreshments. Followed by a Yizkor service with the Alyth clergy team, including the opportunity to say Kaddish together, leading up to the lighting of the chanukiah. Yizkor can be joined online. See below for zoom details. Click here to let us know you are coming.
3rd night - Tuesday 30 November (20:00) A special lighting for those who have been on a status journey Anyone who has been through conversion or a status journey is invited to join with our current Essentials class for a lighting, celebration and refreshments at 20:00. Click here to let us know you are coming.
4th night - Wednesday 1 December (18:30) A special lighting for those who have been part of our Darkness into Light programme The opportunity for anyone who volunteered as part of our special care programme during the pandemic to join together for refreshments and a candle lighting from 18:30. Click here to let us know you are coming.
5th night - Thursday 2 December: Launch of ThursWAY (16:00) A special chanukiah lighting for Primary School age children We launch our new club for all primary school age children with a special Chanukah tea and Chanukiah lighting. ThursWAY (Thurs With Alyth Youth) will run from 16:00-17:00 every Thursday in term time. Click here to let us know you are coming.
6th night - Friday 3 December: Shabbat Chanukah (18:15) A special chanukiah lighting for all those who marked Bar or Bat Mitzvah with Alyth away from our Beit Tefillah Between March 2020 and October 2021, 70 young people marked becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah with Alyth away from our bimah. On this Shabbat Chanukah, we begin our service with a special Chanukiah lighting on the forecourt at 18:15 which will recognise this special group of young people. All are welcome to join this special moment of reconnection. Click here to let us know you are coming, and to book in for the Erev Shabbat Chanukah service.
7th night - Saturday 4 December: Shabbat Chanukah (16:00) A special chanukiah lighting for all Alyth babies born since March 2020 Join us for a special Sensory Havdalah and candle lighting beginning at 16:00. All babies (and their families) are welcome, especially those born in the last 20 months. Click here to let us know you are coming.
7th night - Saturday 4 December - Community Havdalah and Candle lighting (18:00) A havdalah and candle lighting on the Alyth forecourt for all of the Alyth community, with doughnuts and Baileys. Click here to let us know you are coming. 8th night - Sunday 5 December (14:00) A special chanukiah lighting for those married or engaged since March 2020 A late lunch, lazy afternoon, and early Chanukiah lighting for couples who have been married or got engaged in the last 20 month. Starting at 14:00. Click here to let us know you are coming.
.
ALYTH IN-PERSON SERVICES Quick Links to let us know you are coming
We are delighted to welcome members back into the Alyth building. All services are now fully hybrid and can be joined in person or online. We are currently increasing capacity for services while monitoring air quality. Please let us know that you are coming using the links below.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Baby Den (10:30) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat. Baby Den must be pre booked by clicking here.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Pre-Shabbat Story Time Pre-Shabbat Story Time is not taking place this week.
BE WITH US ONLINE JMM (17:00-18:00) Jewish Mindfulness Meditation helps us to open our hearts and find peace through our spiritual heritage. Click here to make a donation towards the costs of employing the facilitators. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON Ruach 1-4 In Person (17:15-18:15) Our Friday night Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme. Please note the updated timings for Ruach for this half term, as we return to synaogue services in person. Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.
EREV SHABBAT 26 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh, CAntor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott to welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person in the Alyth Beit Tefillah. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming by clicking here ONLINE If you are joining us online,click hereto join (Meeting ID: 874 0425 0189 Passcode: 785089). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS The Shabbat Supplement and Community News will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon on the synagogue website. Please click here to view the siddur online.
SHABBAT MORNING 27 NOVEMBER BE WITH US IN PERSON Choir Reheasal (09:15) Rehearsing Alyth’s choral repertoire. Please contact tamara@alyth.org.uk if you wish to join the synagogue choir.
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service in the Beit Tefillah (10:30) An in-person service led by Rabbi Elliott and Cantor Tamara with the Alyth Choir from our Beit Tefillah, including the Bar Mitzvah of Dylan Rock-Joffe. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming by clicking here. ONLINEIf you are joining us online,click hereto join (Meeting ID: 846 1965 8534 Passcode: 785089). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS The Torah Supplement and Community News will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon on the synagogue website. Please click here to view the siddur online.
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Imrei Finu (10:30) 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 will be led by Rabbi Josh with Justin Wise. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming by clicking here. Information about in person services and our current protocols can be found here. ONLINEIf you are joining us online,click hereto join (Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 859 3795 9990 Passcode: 223554). The Torah supplement will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon on the synagogue website. Please click here to view the siddur online.
.
WEEK COMMMENCING 28 NOVEMBER
SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER
PRAY WITH US ONLINE Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:30) Our weekly online minyan led by Alyth members. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Sunday Morning Galim (10:00-12:00) Our Jewish education programme for Reception to Year 6, led by a wonderful team of Educators and Madrichim (youth leaders). Click here to enrol into SMG. For more information, contact mike@alyth.org.uk
LEARN WITH US ONLINE 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.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Academy of Performing Arts at Alyth (18:00-20:00) This year's show: Legally Blonde! For more information, contact sam@alyth.org.uk This week includes a candle lighting with Rabbi Elliott for first night Chanukah.
MONDAY 29 NOVEMBER
BE WITH US IN PERSON Senior Club (14:00-15:30) Welcoming our senior members for in-person activities and tea. These sessions must be pre-booked with Lynette at lynette@alyth.org.uk or on 020 8457 8793.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Monday Club (19:00-20:30) A friendly meeting place for people with learning disabilities. This session must be pre booked. For more information please contact lynette@alyth.org.uk.
CHANUKAH IN PERSON AND ONLINE 2nd Night Chanukah (18:30) Welcoming back those who have suffered a bereavement since March 2020. See above for more details Click here to let us know you are coming in person. The Yizkor service can be joined online via Zoom at 19:00. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 889 5473 4516 Passcode: 785089)
TUESDAY 30 NOVEMBER
YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON Year 10 Hadracha (18:00-19:30) Our year 10 leadership course. For more information contact mike@alyth.org.uk
LEARN WITH US ONLINE Hebrew Reading from Scratch (19:00-20:00) Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman. Take an hour each week in term time to learn how to read Hebrew from scratch. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 909 882 685 Password: 686711).
CHANUKAH ONLINE AND IN PERSON 3rd night Chanukah Candle Lighting (20:00) Welcoming back those who been on a status journey since March 2020. See above for more details. Followed by E-ssentials: The Synagogue Click here to let us know you are coming. Click here to join the session online (Meeting ID: 668 234 069 Password: 419681). New students are always welcome. Please contact Rabbi Hannah for more information or to join the group.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Choral Society (20:00-22:00) New singers in all parts are welcome and there's still time to be part of the Choral Society concert on 12 December. Go to www.alythchoralsociety.org for more information.
WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER CHANUKAH IN PERSON 4th Night Chanukah (18:30) Welcoming back all those who have been part of our Darkness into Light programme. See above for more details. Click here to let us know you are coming.
PRAY WITH US ONLINE Wednesday Ma’ariv Online (20:00-20:45) A mid-week evening service led by Alyth members. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 880 9384 2526, Passcode: 543468).
THURSDAY 2 DECEMBER
BE WITH US ONLINE Mellow 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. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 892 6465 8503, Passcode: 202122). LEARN WITH US ONLINE Pardes (13:00-14:00) A series of Pardes sessions looking at what the rabbis of the Mishnah, Talmud, and beyond, have to say about gender identity. With Rabbi Elliott. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Password: 019498).
CHANUKAH IN PERSON 5th Night Chanukah: Launch of ThursWAY (16:00) Welcoming back our Primary School children, especially those who started school in the last 20 months. See above for more details Click here to let us know you are coming. BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Children's Theatre (17:00-18:15) This year's show: Matilda! Contact sam@alyth.org.uk for more information.
LEARN WITH US ONLINE Alyth Chavruta Project (19:00-20:15) A fourth series of our Chavruta project. For six weeks we will work our way through a section of Talmud that contains both legal and narrative sections. Click here if you are signing up for the first time, or email Rabbi Elliott at elliott@alyth.org.uk for more information. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259, Passcode: 138638).
.
FRIDAY 3 DECEMBER
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Baby Den (10:30) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat. Baby Den must be pre booked by clicking here.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Pre-Shabbat Story Time (16:30-17:00) Pre-Shabbat Story Time must be pre-booked by clicking here.
BE WITH US ONLINE JMM (17:00-18:00) Jewish Mindfulness Meditation helps us to open our hearts and find peace through our spiritual heritage. Click here to make a donation towards the costs of employing the facilitators. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON Ruach 1-4 In Person (17:15-18:15) Our Friday night Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme. Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.
CHANUKAH IN PERSON 6th night: Shabbat Chanukah (18:15) Welcoming back all those who marked Bar or Bat Mitzvah in the last 20 months. See above for more details. Click hereto let us know you are coming.
EREV SHABBAT CHANUKAH 3 DECEMBER
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30) Join Rabbi Josh, Rabbi Hannah, Cantor Tamara and Rabbi Elliott as we welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person in the Alyth Beit Tefillah. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming by clicking here ONLINE If you are joining us online,click here to join (Meeting ID: 873 8374 1249, Passcode: 785089). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS
SHABBAT CHANUKAH MORNING 4 DECEMBER PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service in the Beit Tefillah (10:30) An in-person service led by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah with Justin Wise from our Beit Tefillah, including the Bat Mitzvah of Natasha Rosenfield. This service must be pre booked and will also be available online. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming byclicking here. ONLINEIf you are joining us online: Click hereto join (Meeting ID: 847 3903 1284, Passcode: 785089).
NEW - PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Tefillateinu Lay-led service (10:30) Join us for our inaugural Tefilateinu service: a hybrid, lay-led Shabbat morning service. The sermon, Torah reading, and sections of liturgy will be led by members of our praying community, supported by Rabbi Elliott and Cantor Tamara. Please let us know if you would like to take part this week or in future services. IN PERSON If you are joining us in person, please let us know you are coming by clicking here. ONLINEIf you are joining us online: Click here to join (Meeting ID: 892 5586 6221, Passcode: 902899). SHABBAT CHANUKAH AFTERNOON 4 DECEMBER
CHANUKAH IN PERSON 7th night - Sensory Havdallah and Chanukiah Lighting (16:00) Welcoming all Alyth babies born since March 2020. See above for more details. Click here to let us know you are coming.
CHANUKAH IN PERSON 7th night - Community Havdalah and Chanukiah Lighting (18:00) A community candle lighting for all of the Alyth community. See above for more details. Click hereto let us know you are coming.
.
Alyth Choral Society Concert - 12 December, 19:00
Join us for Alyth Choral Society's Concert for Peace Joy, Loss & Hope, in aid of The British Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal. Tickets are £10/adult, under 16s go free. Click here for tickets and more information.
.
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.
