FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES From the Chair Our Annual Meeting of Congregants is this Monday 5 February at 19.30. Please join us for this important meeting. Click here for the agenda and papers, and to register. We are well into our transition year and have exciting and important decisions to make in the coming months, and at the AMC I will include an update on the Rabbinic Transition process which is now underway.
In November we completed a series of ‘Talk Together’ conversations with members about Alyth now and in the future. You can read a summary of themhere and you can request an extended summary by emailing alythadmin@alyth.org.uk, which we will gladly email to you.
Justin Wise, Chair of Trustees
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AROUND ALYTH IN FEBRUARY Click here for February's Around Alyth.
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FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES 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) 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.
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 Rabbi Golan. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 892 7116 7329 Passcode: 785089).
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY - SHABBAT MORNING
BE WITH US IN PERSON Choir rehersal (09:15) Rehearsing Alyth’s choral repertoire for Shabbat Services.
BE WITH US IN PERSON New Members' Breakfast (09:15) We are delighted that over 40 households have joined Alyth in the last 6 months. We are pleased to invite you all to join us for breakfast from 9:15. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet one another, other members of Alyth, members of the Alyth team and clergy, and our lay leadership. Breakfast will be followed by a choice of three Shabbat morning services - listed below.
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Choral Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott with the Alyth choir. There will be a supervised kids' corner. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 828 1256 3058 Passcode: 785089).
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON Shin Gi and the Art of Jewish Prayer in Motion (10:30) Join Rabbi Golan to experience the fusion of Shin Gi (akin to Tai Chi) and Jewish prayer as a means of gaining new insight into T’filah. Practicing these ancient forms and meditations gives our bodies and souls a new way to understand and participate in prayer. No prior experience or particular expertise required. An open heart, free-spirited soul and easy fitting clothes recommended.
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Sensory Shabbat (11:00) A Shabbat service designed to stimulate your babies’ senses in the first years of their life. Led by Rabbi Hannah, Abi and the dungareenees.
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY - SHABBAT AFTERNOON BE WITH US IN PERSON Shabbat B'yachad 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.
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SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Sunday Shacharit (09:00-10:15) Every Alyth week begins with a lay-led minyan with bagel breakfast at Alyth, led by Alyth members. All are welcome. 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. Email phoebe@alyth.org.uk for more information. This is the last SMG of half term. We resume on Sunday 25 February.
BE WITH US ONLINE Prayer Book Hebrew: Studying the Hebrew and how it is Translated (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 Academy of Performing Arts performs Little Shop of Horrors (18:00) A feature of the Alyth calendar for Secondary School aged children for over 20 years. The end of year production takes place on Sunday 3 March at 14:30 and 18:00 and tickets are on sale! Tickets: £15/adult ticket, £12/concession ticket, £7 child ticket (still at school) Please click hereto purchase tickets and contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY
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! Contact Lynette for more information. All are welcome. Today: Super Quiz Following on from Alyth’s Annual Supper Quiz, come and exercise the little grey cells with some questions and see which team wins!
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.
BE WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Annual Meeting of Congregants 2024 (19:30) Click here to see the Notice Of the Meeting with the Agenda and Explanatory Notes. The Trustees Report and Financial Statement, Profiles of the Trustees standing for election, and the minutes from the 2023 AMC are available from www.alyth.org.uk/amc. Please click here to register and let us know if you plan to attend in person or online.
TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Hadracha Course: Year 9 (17:00) The start of our two year leadership programme for those in Year 9. Click here to sign up or contact phoebe@alyth.org for more information. BE 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.
BE WITH US ONLINE Hebrew Reading Class (20:00) A short course, running for eight weeks, aimed to help those already proficient in Hebrew reading to continue to develop their skills. Taught by Alyth member Jan Roseman. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 880 0628 9192 Passcode: 725071). For more information on both Hebrew courses, contact sam@alyth.org.uk
BE 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. Please contact Rabbi Elliott elliott@alyth.org.uk for more information. Today: Fronting Modernity: new challenges, new Jewish answers
BE WITH US IN PERSON Alyth Choral Society (20:00) New members are always welcome to join the choir. We have two or three concerts a year, one with full orchestra. Go to alythchoralsociety.org or email alythchoralsociety@gmail.com if our future programme inspires you. Alyth Choral Society, as part of Alyth Synagogue’s Yom Hashoah Commemoration on 5 May 2024, will be performing Annelies by James Whitbourn. The Society would warmly welcome singers to join them and be a part of this special occasion.
WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY BE WITH US ONLINE Biblical Hebrew: Studying the Weekly Parashah (18:00) 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.
THURSDAY 8 FEBRUARY 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: 202122)
LEARN WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Pardes: Midrash - The Art of Living & A Living Art. How Midrash Shapes the Jewish Mindset (13:00) Pardes during February will be taught by Rabbi Golan. For more than twenty centuries, the Bible has challenged the imagination and ingenuity of its interpreters. Midrash represents the ongoing response of generations of Jewish scholars to this challenge. Midrash is meaning making in story form. Today: A tug of war between God and Moses - how far can Midrash go and how has this shaped Judaism as we know it? Click hereto 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. This is the last session before half term. We resume on 22 February with an outing.
YOUTH AND EDUCATION Year 8 Chavurah Supper (18:30) Join us for the Year 8 Chavurah Supper at 18:30; a “pot luck” dinner, where everyone provides and vegetarian or fish (nut free) dish, main course or dessert, and we all sit down together and enjoy dinner. This is for all families in year 8! This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones and continue the journey in the most meaningful way by enjoying the company of all those sharing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey with you. Contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
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FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY
FOR YOUNG FAMILIES 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. Please note there is no Baby Den on Friday 16 February.
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) 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.
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 10 FEBRUARY - SHABBAT MORNING BE WITH US IN PERSON Choir rehersal (09:15) Rehearsing Alyth’s choral repertoire for Shabbat Services.
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Shabbat Morning Choral Service (10:30) Led by Rabbi Elliott with the Alyth choir. Including the Bar Mitzvah of Jonny Fuss. Click here to join online (Meeting ID: 811 7011 0652 Passcode: 785089)
PRAY WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE Kollot (10:30) Our informal, unaccompanied, participatory minyan. Click hereto join online (Meeting ID: 860 4950 8051 Passcode: 158314)
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SAVE THE DATES
Academy of Performing Arts Performance Sunday 3 March, 14:30 & 18:00 Join us and support our annual Academy show that our teenagers have been working hard on since September. This year’s show: Little Shop of Horrors! Tickets: £15/adult ticket, £12/concession ticket, £7 child ticket (still at school) Pleaseclick here to purchase tickets and contact abi@alyth.org.uk for more information.
Path to Progressive Judaism Breakfast Saturday 9 March, 9:15 In April 2023, the Movement for Reform Judaism (MRJ) and Liberal Judaism (LJ) announced that we will be working in close partnership to create one new unified movement to represent all of Britain’s Progressive Jews. MRJ Chair, and Alyth member, Paul Langsford has said “As a unified movement, we will be stronger, our voice will be louder and we will be able to make an even bigger contribution to wider society. As one Progressive Judaism, we will help more people in more places enjoy rich and vibrant Jewish experiences.” We are delighted to invite you to a community forum over breakfast with Rabbis Josh Levy and Charley Baginsky. This will be a conversation about the creation of a new Movement to represent all Progressive Jews in the UK. Please click here to sign up so that we are able to cater appropriately. For more information about this please go to www.pathtoprogressivejudaism.org.uk. Shirei Meets Chagigah Friday 15 – Sunday 17 March 2024 Shirei meets Chagigah is an all singing, all learning weekend away with the Movement for Reform Judaism. Join your friends and family in our biannually held conference to learn together, pray together and have fun together! Click herefor more information.
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Responding as a Community to Events in Israel
Many of us continue to be shocked and concerned by the ongoing violence and the suffering of all those affected. Please know that we continue to be here for you if you need us. If we can do anything to support you in this difficult time, please contact Lynette by email to lynette@alyth.org.uk or at 020 8457 8793.
Leaders, rabbis and members from across the Jewish community have signed a statement of Jewish values and core principles in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Click hereto read the statement. Ways you can help We are a collection point for Sebby's Corner. Please click here for a list of items that they are collecting.
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
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. CST are running additional training courses, please see their website if you are interested in doing any of these. We are very grateful to our security team leaders for their extra commitment at this time.
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BUILDING AT ALYTH
If you would like to have a tour to see the building progress in-person, please email buildwithus@alyth.org.uk.
Click here to view previous newsletters and blogs. Click here for our Instagram and click here for our Facebook page for regular building updates. 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 hospitalisation 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.
