newsletter

Responding Together to events in Ukraine 

Throughout this week, we have watched horrific scenes unfolding in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Many of us have found ourselves wanting to respond - to help in practical ways, and to have a space in which we can express our horror and pain.  
As a community, we invite you to join with us in three ways over the coming days:

Coming together as a community this Shabbat:

Special Erev Shabbat Service
with Guest D'var Torah by Maurice Helfgott, Chair, World Jewish Relief
At the end of a week that has left many feeling uncertain, helpless and fearful, gathering as a community for Erev Shabbat is more important than ever. 
We will begin our service with a special Kabbalat Shabbat responding to events in Ukraine. 
The service will also include a message from Rabbi Alex Duchovny, Rabbi of the Hatikvah Reform Congregation in Kyiv, lead Rabbi to the Reform congregations and groups of the Ukraine. 
Our Dvar Torah will be given by Maurice Helfgott, Chair of World Jewish Relief, which is running a crisis appeal responding to Ukraine's urgent humanitarian needs.

Shabbat Morning
Sermon by Gordon Smith, President, European Union of Progressive Judaism
Ukraine is home to a number of Progressive synagogues, which are part of the European Union for Progressive Judaism.  We are proud that the President of EUPJ, Gordon Smith, is an Alyth member, as are three other members of the EUPJ Board.  Gordon will give our sermon on Shabbat morning, reflecting on the work of the EUPJ and the impact of the current crisis on Progressive synagogues in Eastern Europe.


Support for organisations working in Ukraine

Crisis appeals have been launched by two organisations with which Alyth has connections, World Jewish Relief and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
To donate to the World Jewish Relief appeal, click here: https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/ways-to-donate/appeals/1267-ukraine-crisis-appeal
Details of the World Union appeal can be found here:
https://wupj.org/give/ukraine/


Other practical ways to respond

Collection of goods for Ukraine
Goods For Good & HRIF Rescue Project – Ukraine are collecting goods to help refugees in the Ukraine and those crossing the borders into Poland and Romania.  
From this weekend, we will have collection points at Alyth for the following items which will be sent to Goods for Good for distribution.  Please ensure that all items are unopened and in date.  
First Aid: 
Bandages, Cotton Wool, Antiseptic wipes, Plasters, First Aid kits, Paracetmol/Aspirin, Antibacterial hand gel
Hygiene Goods:
Baby Wipes, Toilet Paper, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Shower gel, Deodorants, Nappies, Packs of Tissues, Soap Dispensers.

Preparing to host Ukrainian Refugees
As you may have read in the Jewish Chronicle, there is a proposal among congregations in the UK that we be prepared to host Ukranian refugees if that help is needed. If you would potentially be willing to host a Ukranian refugee or refugee family in your home please let us know by emailing Sam at sam@alyth.org.uk. There are no concrete plans in place yet, but by letting us know in this way we will be able to respond quickly if needed.

WEEK COMMENCING 6 MARCH

SUNDAY 6 MARCH
 
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:30)
Our weekly minyan led by Alyth members.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON 
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.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON
Academy of Performing Arts at Alyth (18:00-20:00)
This year's show: Legally Blonde!
Contact sam@alyth.org.uk for more information. 


MONDAY 7 MARCH 

BE WITH US ONLINE
Alyth Book Club (18:30-19:30)
With Rabbi Colin. This month's book is "Red Cavalry and other stories" by Isaac Babel. April's session is on Monday 4 April and the book will be "People Love Dead Jews" by Dara Horn. Click here for more more information about the book. 
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 816 0975 2765, Passcode: 785089).

BE WITH US IN PERSON 
Monday Club (19:00-20:30)
A friendly in-person meeting place for people with learning disabilities. This session must be pre-booked. For more information please contact lynette@alyth.org.uk 


TUESDAY 8 MARCH 

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 online (Meeting ID: 909 882 685 Password: 686711)

LEARN WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Essentials (20:00-22:00)
This week: Prayer 2: Key Prayers.  With Rabbi Elliott. 
This week can be joined both online and in person.
New students are always welcome. Please contact Rabbi Hannah or Rabbi Elliott for more information or to join the group.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 668 234 069 Password: 419681)

BE WITH US IN PERSON
Alyth Choral Society (20:00-22:00)
New singers in all parts are welcome. Go to www.alythchoralsociety.org for more information.


THURSDAY 10 MARCH 

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 register and pay for the class. 
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 892 6465 8503, Passcode: 202122).

LEARN WITH US ONLINE
Pardes (13:00) 
The stories of Esther.
On 17 March, we will read the story of Esther as it is found in the Tanakh.  But this is not the only version.  Join us for two special Pardes sessions in which we will explore other versions of the text.  On 3 March, Rabbi Josh looked at the story as it is found in the Targum, the Aramaic 'translation' of the bible.  This week, join Rabbi Ellliott to explore additions to the story as it is found in the Septuagint.
Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Password: 019498).

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON
ThursWAY (16:00-17:00)
Kids come play… brighten up your Thursday afternoon with some cosy vibes with Alyth Youth! Click here to let us know you are attending.
Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION 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 (19:00-20:00)
In this season, we are working through a section of Talmud that contains both legal and narrative sections, along with commentaries and supplementary texts. No prior knowledge is required and the text is accessible for all levels.  If you’re new, you can either come to the Alyth Chavruta Project with a partner in mind, or we can match you up with someone to study with.  Rabbi Elliott at elliott@alyth.org.uk for more information.

FRIDAY 11 MARCH  

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON
Baby Den (10:30) 
Chug-a-lug into Shabbat with Cantor Tamara and Ella. 

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON
Pre-Shabbat Story Time (16:30-17:00)
Pre-Shabbat Story Time with Cantor Tamara and Ella. 

YOUTH AND EDUCATION IN PERSON
Ruach 1-4 (17:15)
Our Friday night Bar and Bat Mitzvah programme. 
Contact mike@alyth.org.uk for more information.

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).


EREV SHABBAT 11 MARCH 

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Erev Shabbat Service (18:30-19:30)
We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person. 
ONLINE
If you are joining us online, click here to join (Meeting ID: 826 3680 3901
Passcode: 785089).  The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS 


SHABBAT MORNING 12 MARCH 

BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Synagogue Choir Rehearsal (09:45-10:15)
Rehearsing Alyth's Choral repertoire. 

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) 
Led by Rabbi Elliott with the Synagogue Choir. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Asa Taub. 
ONLINE  
If you are joining us online, click here to join (Meeting ID: 899 4025 6586
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 
Kollot (10:30) 
Our informal, unaccompanied, participatory minyan in which the Torah reading and D'var Torah are given by members. Led by Rabbi Josh and Justin Wise. 
ONLINE  
If you are joining us online, click here to join (Meeting ID: 884 6812 8927
Passcode: 100973).  

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.