newsletter

Celebrating Volunteering by Alyth Members

We are delighted that two Alyth members were recognised at this week's Jewish Volunteer Network awards:
Martin Cohen was recognised for the enormous amount of time and heart he brings to his volunteering at Alyth, and Michael Lubliner as part of Chai Cancer Care's team of the year.  
Mazal tov to them both.

Volunteers giving the Erev Shabbat D'var Torah:
Alyth members bring their skills and passion to the Jewish community in many ways. This year, one Erev Shabbat D’var Torah each month will be given by a member of Alyth who will speak about something to which they commit as an expression of their Jewish identity or values.  Some of these will be trustees or professionals of Jewish organisations, and others members who volunteer or live their Judaism in a special way.  On Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January, our first D’var Torah in this series will be given by Ruth Wellin who is one of three Alyth members who is a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.  
If you are would like to offer a D’var Torah, please contact Rabbi Josh at josh@alyth.org.uk

If you would like to volunteer at Alyth, we are currently looking especially for members to help with the following roles:
- Minibus drivers to help members who are unable to come in other ways to join us in person for services and events;
- Drivers to bring participants to and from our Monday Club on a Monday night;
- Members to help with our online service and event provision, so friends and members can join us from home;
- Visitors for our new Alyth Home Visit Project;
- Members to help prepare tea for the Alyth Social on a Monday afternoon
- Volunteers for our homeless night shelter.
To contribute in one of these ways, please email lynette@alyth.org.uk, or to help with online provision, adam@alyth.org.uk or with the night shelter elliott@alyth.org.uk

LEARN WITH US ON THURSDAYS
 
TONIGHT: 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 here to sign up. 
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 850 3411 1583 Passcode: 785089)

THIS SHABBAT AT ALYTH

FRIDAY 20 JANUARY

FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN 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 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 
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. Led by Rabbi Josh, Rabbi Hannah and Rabbi Elliott. 
Click here to 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 Study Passage and Haftarah for this Shabbat, and the sermon will be given by our Head of Community Care and Life Cycle, Lynette Chazen.
Click here to 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 here for the Shabbat Supplement and the Community News (available from 17:00 on Friday afternoon). 

SUNDAY 22 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).

YOUTH AND EDUCATION
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 IN PERSON
Jewish History in the British Museum 10:30 - 12:00
This trip is now full.  To register interest for a future trip, please email josh@alyth.org.uk

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.

BE WITH US IN PERSON 
Refugee Choir (13:30) 
The Alyth Refugee Choir brings together people who love to sing and to sing together, led by Viv.

BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Singing for Pleasure (15:00) 
Join Viv and sing songs from the shows, Israeli folksongs, songs from the 60s and more.  No need to audition, read music or feel intimidated.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 731 393 138, Password: 197916)

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 23 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: Debbie Chazen One Woman Show
Actress, Debbie Chazen, presents a reading of Sarah Sigal’s one woman play “Stills”.
 
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:  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 24 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
Intensive Hebrew Reading Course (19:00) 
An intensive Hebrew course running for eight weeks, aimed to help beginners learn the Hebrew alphabet and the basic decoding skills needed to read. Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman.
 
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: Anglo Jewish History

LEARN WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Hebrew Reading Course (20:00) 
An intensive Hebrew course running for eight weeks, aimed to help beginners learn the Hebrew alphabet and the basic decoding skills needed to read. Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 812 5752 6877 Passcode: 461382)

BE WITH US IN PERSON
Alyth Choral Society (20:00) 
For Choral Society Members only. Go to www.alythchoralsociety.org for more information.
 

THURSDAY 26 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 here to 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: Ibn Ezra
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
Judaism and the Big Ethical Questions: Inequality (19:30 - 21:30)
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.Contact elliott@alyth.org.uk for more information. 
Click here for more information (Meeting ID: 833 3746 2170 Passcode: 785089)

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY 2023: ‘Ordinary People’.
This year's HMD commemorative ceremony will be streamed at 19.00.
To register in advance to watch the ceremony, or to explore this year's theme, visit https://www.hmd.org.uk/ukhmd/. 
On Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January, join the national moment of commemoration at 4pm as people across the nation light candles and put them safely in their windows.  For more information, click here
Become part of the conversation about Light the darkness online by sharing a photo of your candle on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtags #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness.

FRIDAY 27 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 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 
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 Holocaust Memorial Day. 

EREV SHABBAT 27 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.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 832 0909 5772 Passcode: 785089). 

On this Holocaust Memorial Day, our D’var Torah will be given by Ruth Wellin who is one of three Alyth members who is a trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.  This is the first in a series of Divrei Torah to be given by members of the Alyth community about the way in which they contribute to the wider Jewish world.

SHABBAT MORNING 28 JANUARY  

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Shabbat Morning Service (10:30)
Led by Rabbi Elliott with the Alyth choir.
Including the Bar Mitzvah of Milo Griffiths.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 854 8831 7640 Passcode: 785089).

PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE 
Imrei Finu (10:30)
An informal Shabbat morning service with guitar, including the singing of new and familiar melodies. Led by Rabbi Josh and Cantor Tamara.
Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 844 2838 8280 Passcode: 261134)

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

LETTING US KNOW YOU ARE COMING TO ALYTH EVENTS

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.

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

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.