We continue to be horrified and saddened by the ongoing events in Israel. As a community we need to respond and support one another and those who need our care. Over Shabbat there will be opportunities to gather to reflect and share and there are also practical ways in which we can respond.
This Shabbat
Friday 13 October - Erev Shabbat During Ruach (17:15) A space for all Ruach particpants and madrichim to discuss, process and ask any questions about what is happening in Israel.
Opportunity to gather before the Erev Shabbat Service (17:15) A space for members of the community to meet, share and reflect together on what is happening in Israel.
Opportunity to gather before the Shabbat Morning Service (09:15) A space for members of the community to meet, share and reflect together on what is happening in Israel.
Drop In for Israeli families not able to get back to Israel at present Alyth, together with MRJ and FRS, will be hosting a Drop In for Israeli families who find themselves in the UK and not able to return home. Families must register beforehand and parents must stay with their children. Refreshments will be provided. In order to register please click here. If any adults from the Alyth community, would like to attend the Drop In to help host our Israeli guest and if you speak Ivrit and would like to volunteer please let lynette@alyth.org.uk. So that we do not overwhelm anyone, if many of you come forward we may set up a rota accordingly asking people to come different weeks.
Volunteer to Bake If you would like to bake cakes or biscuits for the Drop In, this would be much appreciated. Please let lynette@alyth.org.uk know if you are willing to make something. Shabbat Hospitality If anyone is able to offer Friday night Shabbat home hospitality to an Israeli family, please let lynette@alyth.org.uk know.
Other ways you can help Please click here for a list of resources and ways to help, collated by The Reform Movement, including appeals to which you may wish to donate.
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SECURITY AT ALYTH
In these times of heightened security, it is very important that we have full teams for volunteer security. Please make sure that you open your Rota central emails and respond positively if you are able. If you are willing to do an extra shift at this time please contact security@alyth.org.uk. We are very greatful to our security team leaders for their extra commitment at this time. Thank you
As always, we are taking advice from CST and police and adapting our security protocols as advised. If you would like more information please feel free to contact adam@alyth.org.uk
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FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER
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) 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 (17:15-19:30) A space for all Ruach particpants and madrichim to discuss, process and ask any questions about what is happening in Israel.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Opportunity to gather before the Erev Shabbat Service (17:15) A space for members of the community to meet, share and reflect together on what is happening in Israel.
FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER - EREV SHABBAT PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat and Service (18:30) We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person. The service will include special readings and prayers for Israel. Led by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Elliott. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 892 7116 7329 Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER - SHABBAT MORNING BE WITH US IN PERSON Choir rehearsal (09:15) Rehearsing Alyth’s choral repertoire for Shabbat Services. BE WITH US IN PERSON Opportunity to gather before the Erev Shabbat Service (09:15) A space for members of the community to meet, share and reflect together on what is happening in Israel. PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott with the Alyth Choir. Including the B’not Mitzvah of Isaac Mackie and Sofia Jungbacke. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 828 1256 3058 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Kollot (10:30) Our informal, unaccompanied, participatory minyan. Led by Rabbi Josh with members of the community reading and teaching Torah. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 869 3836 0620 Passcode: 662977).
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SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:15) Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 864 4782 5935, Password: 785089).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Sunday Morning Galim (10:00) SMG provides our youngest members the opportunity to explore their Jewish identity, key Jewish behaviour and rituals and Jewish texts. Contact phoebe@alyth.org.uk for more information or to enrol. This is the last SMG before half term. We resume on Sunday 5 November.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Talk with Us: This Year's High Holy Day Services (10:30-12:00) This year, 2,500 Alyth members from ages 0 to 100 joined us for a wide range of High Holy Day services and sessions. Please join us for a conversation over bagels in which we will share the experiences we loved, and speak about the ways we might have liked the High Holy Days to be different. If you would like to take part, please register your interest by clicking here. This will only take place if there are enough people who have registered. 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 Alyth Academy of Performing Arts (18:00) A feature of the Alyth calendar for Secondary School aged children for over 20 years. The end of year production takes place in March. Contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
MONDAY 16 OCTOBER
BE WITH US IN PERSON The Alyth Social (14:00) Part of the Alyth Friendship Project. Join us for an afternoon of entertainment, discussion, tea and great company! Today: Lynette Sings! Andrea Plays! Accompanied by Andrea Van Pelt, Lynette will sing some favourite well known tunes for you to sing along with.
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.
TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 10 Hadracha (17:00) Our new Year 10 cohort comes together for our weekly leadership programme. Contact phoebe@alyth.org.uk for more information. LEARN WITH US IN PERSON Intensive Hebrew (19:00) For beginners, to learn the alphabet and basic decoding skills. Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk.
LEARN WITH US IN PERSON Judaism: The 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. Today's session: Foundations 1: Introduction. What's in the bible? Please contact Rabbi Elliott (elliott@alyth.org.uk) for more information.
LEARN WITH US ONLINE Hebrew Reading Course (20:00) For those already proficient in Hebrew reading, to continue to develop their skills. Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk. Click here to join (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 19 OCTOBER
BE WITH US ONLINE Mellow Chair 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 (Meeting ID: 892 6465 8503 Passcode: 202324)
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Pardes (13:00) We see a painting or a photograph and ask, "what's going on here? what's the 'back story'"? 4 sessions, looking at a moment in modern Jewish history seen through the lens of that image and the wider story with Rabbi Colin. Today: "Lord Balfour makes a speech" Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Passcode: 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 2024.Contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
BE WITH US IN PERSON Opportunity to gather for Young Adults (19:30-20:30) Join Rabbi Elliott and Sam to meet, share and reflect together on what is happening in Israel. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact sam@alyth.org.uk to let us know you are coming or for more information. Our film night that was going to take place this evening has been postponed.
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FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 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) 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 (17:15-19:30) Our pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah programme delivered by our wonderful team of madrichim. Participants explore their Jewish identity through the lens of community. This is the last Ruach before half term. We resume on Friday 3 November. FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER - EREV SHABBAT PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Erev Shabbat and Service (18:30) We welcome Shabbat as a community, joining together online and in person. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 814 6531 8254 Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER - SHABBAT MORNING PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Student Rabbi Eleanor with the Alyth Choir. Including the Bat Mitzvah of Neve Conway. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 811 7011 0652 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Gesher (11:00) Our musical service providing a bridge between our youngest family services and the next stage in Alyth families’ prayer life. We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Hannah back to our monthly Gesher. With Rabbi Hannah and Abi.
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SAVE THE DATE: Celebration and thank you to Rabbi Josh Shabbat 27 and 28 October We invite you to join us on Friday 27 October 2023 for a celebratory Erev Shabbat. The evening will begin at 17:30 with drinks and snacks. This will be followed at 18:30 by a joyful, extended service, finishing at 20:00, during which we will celebrate and say thank you to Rabbi Josh.
On Shabbat morning, 28 October, join Rabbi Josh for a shiur at 09:15, the last in his series looking at ‘Sugyot every Jew should know’. After a Shabbat morning service all together, please stay for a special kiddush in which we will have an opportunity to drink a l’chaim to Rabbi Josh and his family.
The Trustees considered what gift to give Rabbi Josh. Knowing that he doesn’t like surprises, we asked him what he would like. He said that the best gift that the community could possibly give him would be for everyone to donate to the Building Project.
The renewal of the building has been a priority for the community since the need was first raised over eight years ago. Alyth matters hugely to Rabbi Josh, and the new building will make an enormous difference to the community.
As we mark the beginning of a new year it is time for us to turn our attention as a community towards the future. 5784 will be a year of celebration, as we open the new building, and also of transition, as we work to build on the strong foundations that have been laid under Rabbi Josh's exceptional leadership. As we enter this period of transition, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves what we value about the community we have built so far, what we hope for the future, and what kind of leadership will support us as we meet the needs of both those who are with us today and those who will come in future generations.
To support this conversation, the Trustees invite you to one of our upcoming 'Talk Together' events on one of the dates below. Each will last for two hours, will be held in person, and will be an opportunity to talk with other members of the community and to share your thoughts, hopes, insights, concerns and aspirations for the future of our community. What we learn together will be really valuable as we begin the process of search and recruitment later in the year. You can sign up online by clicking here. Full details of the venue will be sent to you when you sign up. If these dates are over-subscribed, we will offer more dates.
Dates Monday 6 November 19:30-21:30 Sunday 19 November 19:30-21:30 Monday 20 November 19:30-21:30 Sunday 26 November 10:30-12:30 Thursday 30 November 19:30-21:30
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BUILDING AT ALYTH
Click hereto view previous newsletters and blogs. Click here for our Instagram and click here for our Facebook page for regular building updates. There are photos and a face of Alyth on social media this week.
FACES OF ALYTH During the expected 54 weeks of the building project, we’ll share short video clips 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. Click herefor Faces of Alyth on Instagram and click here for Facebook.
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.
