newsletter

ALYTH'S WEEKEND AWAY: 1 YEAR TO GO 
See below for more details 

This Erev Shabbat (please note special start time)

6th night  - Friday 3 December: Shabbat Chanukah (from 18:15)
Join us this Erev Shabbat for a special Chanukiah lighting at which we will  also celebrate the 70 young people who marked becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah with Alyth away from our bimah.  Our service will begin at the special time of 18:15 with the lighting of the Chanukiah. 
Click here to let us know you are coming, and to book in for the Erev Shabbat Chanukah service. 

Community lighting and havdalah

7th night - Saturday 4 December (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. 

For other candle lightings over the next few days, please see below

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.
Please let us know that you are coming using the links below.

This Shabbat
- Erev Shabbat Chanukah Service (3 December with Chanukiah lighting from 18:15) 
- Shabbat Morning Service  (4 December 10:30) 
- New - Tefillateinu Lay-led service (4 December 10:30)
- Sensory Havdallah and Chanukiah lighting (4 December 16:00) 
- Community Chanukiah lighting (4 December 18:00) 

Next Two Shabbatot
- Erev Shabbat Service (10 December 18:30)
- Shabbat Morning Service (11 December 10:30)
- Choral Repetoire Service (11 December 10:30)

- Erev Shabbat Service (17 December 18:30)
- Shabbat Monring Service (18 December 10:30) 
- Big Bang (18 December 11:00)

FRIDAY 3 DECEMBER 

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON
Baby Den (10:30) 
A special Baby Den for Chanukah. Chug-a-lug into Shabbat Chanukah and dance a special Maccabee beat. 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.
This is the last Ruach of term. We resume on Friday 14 January. 

CHANUKAH IN PERSON 
6th night: Shabbat Chanukah (18:15)
See above for more details. Click here to 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
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 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 by clicking here.
ONLINE  If you are joining us online: Click here to join (Meeting ID: 847 3903 1284, Passcode: 785089).
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.

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.
ONLINE  If you are joining us online: Click here to join (Meeting ID: 892 5586 6221, Passcode: 902899).
The Torah supplement will be available from 17:00 Friday afternoon on the synagogue website.  Please click here to view the siddur online.

SHABBAT CHANUKAH AFTERNOON 4 DECEMBER 

CHANUKAH IN PERSON 
7th night  -  Sensory Havdallah and Chanukiah Lighting (16:00)
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. 

CHANUKAH IN PERSON 
7th night - Community Havdalah and Chanukiah Lighting (18:00)
A community candle lighting and havdalah for all of the Alyth community. 
See above for more details. 
Click here to let us know you are coming. 

WEEK COMMMENCING 5 DECEMBER 

SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER  

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON 
Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:30)
We are delighted to welcome our weekly minyan led by Alyth members back to Alyth in person. Sunday Shacharit will also be online. 
Click here to join online (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
This is the last SMG of term. We resume on Sunday 16 January. 

CHANUKAH IN PERSON 
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. 

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 is the last Academy of term. We resume on Sunday 9 January. 


MONDAY 6 DECEMBER

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.

BE WITH US ONLINE
Book Club (18:30-19:30)
This month's book is "The Tunnel" by A.B. Yehoshua, click here for more information about the book.
January’s session is on Monday 10 January. The book will be The Passenger by Ulrich Boschwitz.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 816 0975 2765, Passcode: 785089).
 

TUESDAY 7 DECEMBER

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON
Year 10 Hadracha and graduation dinner (18:00, dinner from 19:30)
Please confirm whether you will be attending, and how many of you will be coming from your family by email to mike@alyth.org.uk
This is the last Hadracha of term and of this course. Year 9 hadracha starts on Tuesday 4 January. 

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).
 
LEARN WITH US ONLINE
E-ssentials (20:00-22:00)
This week (online): The formation of Judaism: Rabbinic literature - Aggadah
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 8 DECEMBER

BE WITH US ONLINE
News, Views and Schmooze (13:00-14:30)
Join us for a couple of hours of schmooze to discuss what is going on in the world around us. Led by volunteers from the Soup and Schmooze group.  All are welcome but these sessions must be pre-booked with lynette@alyth.org.uk.
 
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 9 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 here to join online (Meeting ID: 892 6465 8503, Passcode: 202122).

LEARN WITH US ONLINE 
Pardes: Special Guest teacher Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton
Why do Chanukah and Christmas both begin on the 25th of the Month?(13:00-14:00)
Join Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton to explore primary sources for the dating of Chanukah and Christmas, and why he believes there is a link. This story takes us down many byways, including Antiochus setting himself up as a God, the winter solstice, Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity and the Roman festival of the rebirth of the sun. 
Who would have thought that a calendar date could be so interesting?
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Password: 019498).

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON 
ThursWAY (16:00)
Kids come play… brighten up your Thursday afternoon with some cosy vibes With Alyth Youth!
Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.

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. 
This is the last ACT of term. We resume on Thursday 13 January.

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 10 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
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 
Hadracha Skills Weekend (Friday - Sunday)
A fun packed residential for all graduate madrichim.  Skills weekend brings together our Year 10-13 leaders for a creative and reflective Shabbat, and advanced Jewish youth work training. Spaces are limited and filling up fast! Only 10 beds left!  Click here to sign up. Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.


EREV SHABBAT 10 DECEMBER

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30)
Join Rabbi Josh 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 here to join (Meeting ID: 824 7417 7665, Passcode: 78508).  The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS


SHABBAT MORNING 11 DECEMBER

LEARN WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Shabbat Shiur (09:15-10:15) 
“It was not you who sent me here, but God”: Divine Providence in the story of Joseph.
In this week’s Torah portion, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers.  He reassures them that he will not take vengeance on them,  stating that when they sold him into slavery, this was part of a grand divine plan.  How does this idea sit with us?   What other aspects of Jewish tradition speak to this idea of Divine Providence?  Join Rabbi Elliott to explore these questions. This session will take place in the synagogue library with windows open, and can also be joined via Zoom.  If coming in person, please make sure you let us know you are coming, and remember to dress appropriately.
Click here to let us know you are coming.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 240 937 705 Password: 602287).
 

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Shabbat Morning Service in the Beit Tefillah (10:30) 
Led by Rabbi Hannah and Rabbi Josh, with guitar,  in our Beit Tefillah. Including the B’nei Mitzvah of Dylan Rae and Rosa Coury-Reid.
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: 892 0632 5108, Passcode: 785089).  The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Choral Repertoire Service (10:30) 
A special service led by Rabbi Elliott with piano accompaniment, in which we will sing together from Alyth’s choral repertoire. In the Youth Hall.
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.
ONLINE If you are joining us online, click here to join (Meeting ID: 835 5305 5921, Passcode: 503329).

Annual Meeting of Congregants 2022

Please save the date for our AMC which will take place on Sunday 23 January at 10:30am in person and online. The notice and papers for the meeting will go out via email in the last week of December. 

Alyth's Weekend Away - 1 year to go!
2 - 4 December 2022 

Pray with us, learn with us, be with us…
laugh with us, relax with us, create with us, ramble with us, play table tennis with us, quiz with us, eat chocolate with us, meditate with us, read the newspapers with us, stay up late with us, design with us, revise in a quiet corner with us,
drink coffee with us, connect with us, study Talmud with us, drink with us, dance with us, watch films with us, play with us, hide and seek with us, chill with us, play games with us, sing with us, make new friends with us,
make memories with us...
We are so excited that it is 1 year to go until the Weekend Away! For more information, click here or contact sam@alyth.org.uk 
Click here to book your place. 

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

Click here or phone 020 8457 8794 to be in touch.

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.