Yom HaShoah 2023: Telling the Stories of the Shoah – A special evening for Yom HaShoah (19:30, Yom HaShoah service at 20:45) See the box below for more information.
Yom HaZikaron Israel and Me: Sharing our Stories, Sharing our Heritage Monday 24 April, 19:30 Our main commemoration of Israel 75 will take place on the evening of Yom HaZikaron, Monday 24 April. The evening will begin with a special Yom HaZikaron evening service in which we acknowledge all that has been given to create the State of Israel, and have the opportunity to mourn those lost in its creation and protection. We will then, over dinner, share our own histories, stories and relationship with Israel: the land, the vision, and the country as it now is. As well as a number of Alyth members with unique stories, everyone who wishes will have the opportunity to share the role Israel plays in their life, as we express our commitment to the vision of Israel as articulated by its founders 75 years ago. Click here to register. If you have a particular story that you wish to share, please email josh@alyth.org.uk
Yom HaAtzma’ut Tea Tuesday 25 April, 16:30-18:00 A pre-Yom Ha’Atzma’ut tea for our younger members, with lots of different activities to mark Israel’s birthday. Includes a falafel dinner. Click here to register so that we know how much food to make.
Yom HaAtzma’ut Film Club - Blue Box Thursday 27 April, 19:30 Join us for a special Film Club for Yom HaAtzma’ut, delving into the nuances of Israel’s complex history with the film ‘Blue Box’. The JNF's Blue Boxes were part of a successful fundraising campaign to support the purchase of land in Palestine. Joseph Weitz was the man who orchestrated the acquisition and expropriation of Palestinian lands. This film, made by his great-granddaughter, offers a stark contrast between the myth and the multi-layered reality of Israel. The screening will be followed by viewing of a filmed Q&A with the filmmaker, Michal Weits. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be provided. This film is in Hebrew with English subtitles. Click here to register. Alyth Academy of Performing Arts Presents: High School Musical 2 Sunday 30 April, 15:00 and 19:00 Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Academy Show: High School Musical 2! This year marks the 30th anniversary of Academy of Performing Arts at Alyth. Be part of the celebration. Tickets: £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £3 for children (still in school). Please click hereto book your tickets and please spread the word to friends and family! You can also buy tickets on the door! Please come and show your support and sing along to some familiar songs.
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BUILDING AT ALYTH We are really excited that the builders are in and the work started this week! Click here to see the first of our weekly updates about the building project. To follow the building project on Instagram click here
FACES OF ALYTH
We are really excited to be launching the Faces of Alyth project. Each week, over the expected 54 weeks of the building project, we’ll share a short video clip of Alyth members, Trustees, Clergy and Staff Team speaking about why they love Alyth, what matters to them, and why the renewal of our building is such an important and exciting time for the future of the whole community.
Every Friday we’ll post a video on our social media and on the website. If you don’t already follow us, click here for our Facebook page and click here for the buildwithus Instagram page.
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THIS SHABBAT AT ALYTH FRIDAY 14 APRIL
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).
EREV SHABBAT 14 APRIL
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 and Cantor Tamara. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 843 5615 4979 Passcode: 785089).
SHABBAT MORNING 15 APRIL PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Josh and Cantor Tamara, including the Bar Mitzvah of Ezekiel Gordon. The sermon will be given by Rabbi Elliott. Includes a Torah Breakout with Cantor Tamara during the Torah service. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 892 4617 6818 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Shabbat Morning Torah Breakout (during the Torah service) Aaron's silence in the face of his sons' deaths is one of the more confounding details of Parashat Shemini, both to the Rabbinic commentators and to us as modern readers of this text. Join Cantor Tamara to explore the implications of Aaron's silence and what it reveals about how our tradition approaches mourning. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 811 2278 5772 Passcode: 311220).
Click herefor the Shabbat Supplement and the Community News (available from 17:00 on Friday afternoon).
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SUNDAY 16 APRIL BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Cycling Community Bike Ride (08:15) Bringing riders of all abilities together to enjoy cycling and conversation. For more information contact laurancemendoza@aol.com.
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).
BE WITH US IN PERSON Outing: Imperial War Museum (10:00-12:30) In advance of Yom HaShoah, a visit to the Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. This will be an opportunity to learn about the history of the Shoah accompanied by some of our members with Holocaust stories. This trip is primarily for members of the Essentials class but is open to all members of the community. To register click here. Please contact elliott@alyth.org.uk for more information. BE 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.
MONDAY 17 APRIL BE WITH US IN PERSON The Alyth Social (14:00-16:00) Part of the Alyth Friendship Project. Join us for an afternoon of entertainment, discussion, tea and great company! Today: Jackie Goymour presents: There’s No Such Thing as Authentic Jewish Food except... Our very own Alyth member, Jackie Goymour, will present a history of Jewish Food through the ages. Some tasting and sampling will be allowed!
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Yom HaShoah 2023: Telling the Stories of the Shoah – A special evening for Yom HaShoah (19:30, Yom HaShoah service at 20:45) As we lose the last generation of survivors, Yom HaShoah is an opportunity for us to commit to telling the stories of the Holocaust. On this special evening, we will be joined by some of those who are preserving the memory of Shoah through writing and film. Local author Jackie Kohnstamm discovered her family’s Holocaust story only late in life. Her book, “The Memory Keeper: A Journey Into the Holocaust to Find My Family” is published on 20 April. This will be the first time that she has read excerpts from her book and talked about her journey of discovery. You can find out more about the book here. Alyth member Gloria Abramoff is currently making a documentary on the Holocaust: the story of the Commandant of Auschwitz and his son, of a survivor and her daughter and the long shadow the past has cast down the generations. Together with her Creative Executive, Wendy Robbins, they will speak about both the professional and personal experience of remembering the Shoah in documentary form. At 20:30 we will break for refreshments, before our annual Yom HaShoah service begins at 20:45, led by Rabbi Josh, Cantor Tamara, and Katie Hainbach. Yellow candles for Yom HaShoah can be purchased from the synagogue office at a cost of £2. Please contact Deborah at alythadmin@alyth.org.uk or on 020 8457 8784 Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 831 7161 5769 Passcode: 785089)
TUESDAY 18 APRIL
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Mentor Training (17:30) Please email abi@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. Essentials is the perfect class for those coming to Judaism for the first time, or looking to consolidate the learning of a lifetime - or anywhere in between. New students are always welcome. Please contact Rabbi Elliott (elliott@alyth.org.uk) for more information. Today: The Yoms – The Shoah and Israel in Jewish life
BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Choral Society (20:00) For Choral Society Members only. Go to www.alythchoralsociety.org for more information.
THURSDAY 20 APRIL 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: 202324).
LEARN WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Pardes (13:00) Over the last three months, we have studied a range of major and minor commentators from medieval times. In April and May we will turn our attention to modern figures who dedicated their lives to illuminating and elucidating the biblical text, from Robert Alter to Aviva Zornberg. You do not need to have attended previous sessions to join us, as we encounter modern commentators who have transformed the way we read Torah. Today: Shadal
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth's Children's Theatre (17:00) Our drama group for Primary School aged children. The group rehearse all year and then perform the show in June 2023.
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FRIDAY 21 APRIL
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 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 21 APRIL
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat Service (18:30) We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person, including special songs and readings for Shabbat Atma’ut / T’kuma. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 841 1180 9239 Passcode: 785089).
SHABBAT MORNING 22 APRIL PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Hannah. A guitar led service, including the Bat Mitzvah of Isabella Garrett and a special Torah and Haftarah reading for Shabbat Atma’ut / T’kumah. With a supervised Kids’ Corner. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 886 6783 6867 Passcode: 785089).
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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The Hidden History of Israel Tour REGISTER YOUR INTEREST and SAVE THE DATE
We are delighted to invite you to our next Alyth Israel Trip, the first since 2017. Taking place from Sunday 29 October to Thursday 2 November, with an optional Shabbat (from 3-4 November) with our sister community in Holon, led by Rabbi Galit Kedem Cohen).
Together we will explore the North of Israel, discovering 900,000 years of history up to the present day. Archaeology, politics, spirituality and, most of all, enjoyment, will come together in this unique journey to the parts of Israel you are unlikely to have seen before. We will hear from experts in all these areas who are living and working in Israel. Cost: £1,800 approx. excluding flights.
Please email lynette@alyth.org.uk to let us know you are interested.
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.
Click hereto view our partner organisations including links to sign up to their weekly communications.
