We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Or Zohar for a three week residency in November, in which he will teach, lead services, and bring his unique musical gifts to our community.
At the heart of his visit will be a special “in residence” weekend for which he will be joined by his wife Feliza Bascara-Zohar. This will include a ‘Sing With Us’ and Erev Shabbat Service on Friday 17 November, and a special concert on Saturday 18 November at 18:00, in which they will showcase some of their original compositions. BOOK NOW for the concert on Saturday 18 November by clicking here.
Rabbi Or Zohar is the Reform rabbi of the Misgav Region in the Galilee, founder of Hibura School for Kabbalah and Jewish Spirituality, and co-CEO of the Spirit of the Galilee Association. He was ordained at the Jerusalem campus of Hebrew Union College and received his BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has a Masters Degree in Jewish Philosophy from Tel Aviv University, where he is currently working towards a PhD in Kabbalah studies.
Feliza Bascara-Zohar is a singer-songwriter, song leader, artist and choreographer. She teaches a mindful holistic approach to worship, which she calls Embodied Prayer and practices Voice Movement Therapy. She has an MA in Expressive Art Therapies from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Musicology and Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The “in residence” weekend is part of Alyth Composers and Songwriters in Residence, a programme made possible in memory of Raymond and Joy Goldman.
Other highlights of Or’s residency include: Pardes: Introduction to Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism (Thursdays, 13:00) The Alyth Chavruta Project: Delve into a key text of Jewish Mysticism (Thursdays, 19:00) Essentials: A special session on the development of Kabbalah (Tuesday 21, 20:00) Shabbat Shiur: What it means to be a Progressive Rabbi in Israel today (Shabbat 25, 09:15) Imrei Finu: Rabbi Or will lead our regular musical service with guitar (Shabbat 25, 10:30) The Alyth Social: Singing Israeli folk music classics (Tuesday 13, 14:00)
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FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER 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. Contact phoebe@alyth.org.uk for more information. FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER - 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. Led by Rabbi Elliott and Student Rabbi Eleanor Davis. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 814 6531 8254 Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER - SHABBAT MORNING PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott and Student Rabbi Eleanor Davis with the Alyth choir. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Leo Wolman. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 811 7011 0652 Passcode: 785089). SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER - SHABBAT AFTERNOON
BE WITH US IN PERSON Shabbat B'yachad (12:30) As part of the Alyth Friendship Project, please join us for our Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30, followed by a lunch. For catering purposes, please let Lynette know you are coming at lynette@alyth.org.uk or 020 8457 8793. There is no charge for this but donations are always appreciated.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Sensory Havdallah (16:00) Havdallah is one of our most Sensory experiences. We see the flickering candle flame, smell the sweet spices and taste the wine. Join us for this special Sensory Havdallah experience where our youngest members can wave goodbye to Shabbat and prepare to start the week new. Feel free to wear your PJs or onesies! Led by Rabbi Hannah and Han.
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SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
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. 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 6 NOVEMBER
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: Louise Heilbronn: Amazing Women you have Never Heard of! Louise returns with one of her fascinating talks on Amazing Women you have Never Heard of!
BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Book Club: Nadia Ragozhina, Worlds Apart (18:30) Author Nadia Ragozhina will be with us in-person to talk about her book “Worlds Apart”. Adolphe and Marcus, two brothers from Warsaw, follow different life-paths 100 years ago. They never see each other again. Nadia Ragozhina, Marcus' great-granddaughter, rediscovers the missing parts of her broken family and finds an amazing story of six women who fought for the survival and happiness of their families. With Rabbi Colin. 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 7 NOVEMBER
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 10 Hadracha (17:00) Our 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 9 NOVEMBER
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: Kabbalah for the 21st Century (13:00) Join Rabbi Or for a special series of Pardes, in which he will introduce the basic premises of the ancient spiritual path of the Kabbalistic tradition in a way that is approachable, meaningful, and useful for a progressive and curious 21st-century audience. We will explore various Kabbalistic ideas and practices, immerse ourselves in intriguing Kabbalistic texts, engage in Kabbalistic meditation, and discuss how these ancient concepts and practices can be relevant to our lives today. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 123 761 361 Passcode: 019498).
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Alyth 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 2024. Contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
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FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN PERSON Baby Den Please note there is no Baby Den today. We resume on Friday 3 November.
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. Contact phoebe@alyth.org.uk for more information.
FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER - 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: 892 7116 7329 Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER - SHABBAT MORNING PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott. Including the Bat Mitzvah of Sophie Kanter. 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 Or and Justin Wise, with members of the community reading and teaching Torah. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 829 4576 6870 Passcode: 963246 ). SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER - SHABBAT AFTERNOON
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Afternoon Service (15:00) Led by Lynette Chazen with Justin Wise. Including the Bat Mitzvah of Lily Bo Stanley-Hooper.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 5 and 6 Secret Cinema (17:30-20:30) We are very excited to be launching our first Secret Cinema of 5784 for school years 5 and 6 Join us for an evening of games, adventures, dinner, immersive cinema and lots of chocolate, all right here at Alyth! This is an exclusive social event for Years 5 and 6; expect to see friends old and new. £15 for Alyth members, £20 for non Alyth members. Contact hannahwood@alyth.org.uk for more information and click here to sign up.
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TALK TOGETHER - NOVEMBER
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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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - ALYTH REFUGEE ACTIVITIES
At Simchat Torah, we honoured Cheryl Brodie and Debbie Rose, who together dedicated 11 years to developing and running the Refugee Drop In at Alyth. While the Sunday Socials are on a break, we still run monthly trips around London and a Refugee Choir, which meets monthly at the synagogue. We are always looking for volunteers who are welcoming, empathetic, and able to pitch in for 2-3 hours a month. Please email Rabbi Elliott (elliott@alyth.org.uk) if you would like to be involved.
MITZVAH DAY COLLECTION
This year, for Mitzvah Day on Sunday 19 November, children at SMG will be delivering items for the All Saints Childs Hill Food Bank and Great Ormand Street Hospital.
The All Saints Childs Hill Food Bank is a community run food bank in association with the All Saints church. With an objective to be a constant source of help for families who do not have enough to feed their families, the All Saint Childs Hill Food Bank relies on local donations to keep everyone fed and sustained. Following the success of our visit on Mitzvah Day 5783, having donation 157 kilos of food, we will be returning with donations to stock up the food bank.
Every day, around 750 seriously ill children and young people from across the UK are seen at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Many children, who visit GOSH have extended hospital stays, complex medical needs, illnesses, and go through great challenges. Despite the greatest challenges a child can face, the hospital is a place where being sick does not always mean being sad. During these extended stays, where children and young people (from the ages of 0-18) often spend birthdays, the gifts (no matter how big and small) that are donated, will go directly to poorly children, making their days seem a little brighter.
Click herefor the items we are collecting for the food bank and hospital.
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BUILDING AT ALYTH Click here to 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.
