Over the next 18 months, during our building project, our use of space at Alyth is very challenging. The number of available rooms to accommodate our breadth of activities is now significantly reduced.
We are therefore asking that, for some events in our programme, members and friends please still let us know in advance that you are coming. You will find links for these events in the weekly email.
Knowing in advance will allow us to allocate appropriate spaces for different activities. By knowing numbers, and whether people are joinng us in person or online, we can ensure that activities take place in a space that has an appropriate capacity, set up, and technology. During the build period, we do not have a lift, so please also let us know if you are coming to an activity and cannot use the stairs by including this information in your registration or by emailing alythadmin@alyth.org.uk.
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LEARN WITH US ON THURSDAYS TONIGHT: Thursday 12 January, 19:30 - 21:00 Jewish Music for this Moment: Making Sense of the Squiggles Following their introductory session on leyning on the Weekend Away, join Cantor Tamara to deepen your understanding of the history and variety of Torah chanting. We'll explore the history of leyning, the sound of the different cantillation systems, and their applications throughout the year. You do not need to have come to the Weekend Away session. All are welcome. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 832 6040 2538 Passcode: 311220)
Thursday 19 January, 19:30 - 21:30 Alyth Interfaith: Issues that divide us and how we find common ground: “Gender and Sexuality” One of the highlights of the Alyth calendar is our annual Iftar - the opportunity to study with members of other faith traditions, to grapple with our differences, and to speak and eat together. we are delighted to welcome Revd. Dr Ayla Lepine and Amani Saeed. Ayla is the Ahmanson Fellow in Religion and Art at the National Gallery in London. Her work includes teaching the King’s College London and National Gallery collaborative MA in Christianity and the Arts, and building diverse new networks within arts organisations and faith communities. Amani Saeed is an international writer whose work brings the big issues to your kitchen table. She explores the crisis cultivated by living between sometimes (but not always) contradictory cultures, treading the line between masjid and mini skirt. Contact hannah@alyth.org.uk for more information or click hereto sign up.
Thursday 26 January, 19:30 -21:00 Judaism and the Big Ethical Questions: Inequality Join Rabbi Elliott for this text based learning programme, in which we delve into Judaism and the Big Ethical Questions of our time. The reality is that humans live in a state of inequality, with some having more, others less. But is this how it should be? Should we be working to create a society in which all have and are treated the same, or is inequality part of the divine plan for the world? Together we will explore how our textual tradition approaches this big ethical question, hearing diverse voices from the bible, rabbinic literature, medieval thinkers and modern sources.
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THIS SHABBAT AT ALYTH
FRIDAY 13 JANUARY
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Baby Den Chug-a-lug into Shabbat. Sing your favourite Baby Den songs, dance to a Shabbat beat and wave to some familiar faces. For families with Young Children.
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 hereto make a donation towards the costs of employing the facilitators. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach 1-4 (17:15) Our pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah programme delivered by our wonderful team of madrichim. Participants explore their Jewish identity through the lens of community. Participants can come from 16:30 for Drop-In and are expected to stay for the Erev Shabbat Service, finishing at 19:30.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach 1 New Starters Meeting (17:15) For all families joining Ruach to explore the programme and the B'nei Mitzvah journey at Alyth. This one off session is for both parents and children.
EREV SHABBAT 13 JANUARY PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat Service (18:30) We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person. Led by Rabbi Josh, Rabbi Hannah and Cantor Tamara. This service will also include the baby blessing of Sasha Burman. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 869 5618 8776 Passcode: 785089).
SHABBAT MORNING 14 JANUARY
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) An informal, participatory minyan led by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah, with guitar. This service will include a supervised kids corner so parents can join in the service. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Harry Bayfield and the baby blessing of Julius Stringer-Watkins. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 816 9826 2963 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Torah Breakout (during the Torah Service): The Burning Bush and The Art of Noticing The story of the burning bush is one of the most memorable in the Torah, but our Sages teach us that it contains hidden meanings and deeper lesson for our own lives as well. Join Cantor Tamara for a Torah breakout to dive deeper into this familiar text. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 850 0200 3433 Passcode: 685655)
Click here for the Shabbat Supplement and the Community News (available from 17:00 on Friday afternoon). The "Zoom screen" can also be seen via our YouTube channel by going to www.youtube.com/c/AlythRS
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SUNDAY 15 JANUARY
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:15) Our lay-led minyan with bagel breakfast, led by Alyth members. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Sunday Morning Galim (10:00-12:00) Our Jewish education programme for Reception to Year 6. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk for more information.
LEARN WITH US ONLINE Biblical Hebrew (11:15) 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.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Academy of Performing Arts (18:00-20:00) A feature of the Alyth calendar for Secondary School aged children for over 20 years. The end of year production takes place over the early May bank holiday weekend. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk for more information.
MONDAY 16 JANUARY
BE WITH US IN PERSON The Alyth Social (14:00) Our Monday afternoon social. Join us for an afternoon of entertainment, discussion, lovely homemade tea and great company! Contact Lynette for more information. Today:Quiz Put your brain in gear and come along to answer questions on all sorts of subjects!
BE WITH US IN PERSON Monday Club (19:00) A friendly in-person meeting place for people with learning disabilities. For more information or to let us know that you will be attending, please email lynette@alyth.org.uk.
LEARN WITH US IN PERSON The Alyth Chavruta Project (19:00) In this series, we will dive into one of the most famous stories of the Babylonian Talmud: that of Rabbi Eliezer and his excommunication by the other rabbis.This series runs on Mondays: 16 and 23 January and 6, 13, 20 February. Sessions will be in person and on Zoom, and will be recorded. Email acp@alyth.org.uk for more information and to register your interest.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 886 5917 6259 Passcode: 138638)
TUESDAY 17 JANUARY
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 9 Hadracha (18:00) The start of our two year leadership programme for those in Year 9. Please email ella@alyth.org.uk for more information.
LEARN WITH US IN PERSON Essentials (20:00) Our regular introduction to Judaism class taught by our clergy with Jon Epstein. New students are always welcome. Please contact Rabbi Elliott (elliott@alyth.org.uk) for more information. Today's session: 18 Figures in Jewish History of whom you should have heard BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Choral Society (20:00) For Choral Society Members only. Go to www.alythchoralsociety.org for more information.
THURSDAY 19 JANUARY BE WITH US ONLINE Mellow Yoga for All Ages (11:00) Our special Chair Yoga and Meditation with Maxine, open to all ages wishing to enhance overall mental and physical wellbeing. Click hereto register and pay for the class. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 892 6465 8503, Passcode: 202223).
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Pardes: Come and Meet the Medieval Commentators (13:00) So often when we read the Torah, we do so alongside scholars from the past. Over seven weeks, join Rabbi Elliott as we meet these biblical commentators. This week: Rashbam Click here to join (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Password: 019498)
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth Children's Theatre (17:00-18:15) Our drama group for Primary School aged children. The group rehearse all year and then perform the show in June 2023. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk for more information.
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Alyth Interfaith: Issues that divide us and how we find common ground: “Gender and Sexuality” (19:30 - 21:30) See more details in the box at the top of the email. Contact hannah@alyth.org.uk for more information or click hereto sign up. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 850 3411 1583 Passcode: 785089)
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FRIDAY 20 JANUARY FOR YOUNG FAMILIESIN PERSON Baby Den (10:30) Chug-a-lug into Shabbat. Sing your favourite Baby Den songs, dance to a Shabbat beat and wave to some familiar faces. For families with Young Children.
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 hereto make a donation towards the costs of employing the facilitators. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 977 611 369 Password: 035091).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Ruach 1-4 (17:15) Our pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah programme delivered by our wonderful team of madrichim. Participants explore their Jewish identity through the lens of community. Participants can come from 16:30 for Drop-In and are expected to stay for the Erev Shabbat Service, finishing at 19:30. This week's programme will include special activities to recognise that this is Mental Health Shabbat.
EREV SHABBAT 20 JANUARY
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat Service with Special Guests (18:30) We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person. This week is also Mental Health Shabbat. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 892 0290 0302 Passcode: 785089).
STOP PRESS: We are delighted to welcome Anna Kislanski and David Bernstein from our sister movement in Israel, the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). Anna, who took over as CEO of IMPJ from Gilad Kariv in 2021, will give the Dvar Torah in our Erev Shabbat service. You can find out more about the IMPJ at reform.org.il/en/
SHABBAT MORNING 21 JANUARY
BE WITH US IN PERSON Mental Health Shabbat Safe Space (09:15) Do you, or someone you know, experience mental health challenges? On this Mental Health Shabbat, join Lynette, our Head of Community Care, in a safe space to share these challenges and to speak about how we can support each other. If you would like to speak before this session, please contact Lynette on 020 8457 8793.
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Josh with the Alyth choir. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Louis Bloom. This Shabbat is also the annual Mental Health Shabbat. We will read a special Haftarah for this Shabbat, and the sermon will be given by our Head of Community Care and Life Cycle, Lynette Chazen. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 841 9411 8170 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US: FOR FAMILIES IN PERSON Gesher (11:00) Our musical 'Gesher' service provides a bridge between our youngest family services and the next stage in Alyth families’ prayer life.
Click herefor the Shabbat Supplement and the Community News (available from 17:00 on Friday afternoon).
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SUNDAY 22 JANUARY Jewish History in the British Museum 10:30 - 12:00 Some of the most important extra-biblical artefacts from the ancient near-East can be seen in the heart of London. In this annual ‘Essentials’ trip, open to all, we use the evidence found in the British Museum to piece together ancient Jewish history. Pleaseclick hereto register - please note that places are limited
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SAVE THE DATES Annual Meeting of Congregants 2023 Monday 30 January, 19:30 The Annual Meeting of Congregants of Alyth, will take place on Monday 30 January 2023 at 19:30. Click here to see the Notice Of the Meeting, which includes the Agenda and Explanatory Notes, as well as the minutes from the 2022 AMC. The Trustees Report and Financial Statement will be available on the Alyth website (www.alyth.org.uk/amc) from Friday 13 January. Profiles of the Trustees standing for election will be available on the Alyth website (www.alyth.org.uk/amc) from Monday 16 January. Please click here to register and let us know if you plan to attend in person or online.
Tu BiShvat Supper Quiz Sunday 5 February, 19:00 - 22:00 The return of an Alyth institution! After two years in which we could not gather to eat, laugh and quiz together, we are delighted to announce the return of the Alyth Supper Quiz on Sunday evening 5 February. Tickets are £25 including supper. Pleaseclick here to register or call Deborah on 02084578784
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YOUTH AND EDUCATION UPDATE
We are sad to announce that Ella Garai-Ebner is leaving us in the middle of this month. We wish her all the luck in the world for her new role and look forward to seeing her at Alyth as a member in the coming weeks and months. Please join us to say thank you to Ella as part of our Erev Shabbat Service on Friday 20 January.
Emergency Careline – 020 8457 8798 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.
