3rd December 2020 - 18th Kislev 5781 |
|
Greetings!
Now, as the days, get shorter, colder, and darker, it might be a time for generating more warmth ourselves, for family and self-care, for community, for hibernating, storing up, and returning to what we care about. Jacob, in last week's Torah portion, taught us patience. He worked for seven years to marry Lea, seven years to marry Rachel, and then another further seven years for his uncle Laban.
Our Rabbis imagine that as Jacob first sets out, feeling his brother, and making his own way on the world, he is starkly aware that he has nothing, nothing in his hands, nothing to his name. They imagine in these moments that he compares himself to his auspicious ancestors and almost plummets into despair; ‘They knew so much, and learnt so much, they were so engaged in lofty and spatial pursuits’; and here I am about to have to dig in for years. Yet, then, according to our Rabbis, he recalls the Divine is the Creator of all, and so there will be divinity and divine service in the years ahead.
In the coming days and weeks we have wonderful opportunities to come together and find the divine. This Saturday we have a special B'Yachad service. B'Yachad means ‘together’ and these are opportunities to sing together, to be with the children of our community, and to enjoy something a little different. A week on Friday , we also have a special Friday night service with our B'nei Mitzvah students at the heart of it.
Of course, do join us for Chanukah. We have lighting every night, as well as plenty of learning - in an exciting cross-communal initiative - and some comedy too. Our plans for Chanukah will be revealed in detail over the next few days, but do make sure you keep the Chanukah First and Eighth Nights (10th and 17th December), from 6:30pm, free for Candle lighting and festivities.
Best wishes.
Rabbi Benji
P.S. Are you part of our Private Community Facebook Group? It's a great place for members and friends to interact, share photos, tips, events and general well wishes! Click here to join the group.
|
|
We announce with regret the death of Ezra Dingoor, a member of the Synagogue from its earliest days. Ezra taught in the religion school and served as senior warden and subsequently as chairman in the early 1990s. Long standing members will recall the purity and lyricism of his Hebrew readings from the Torah and more broadly in many services. Ezra and Eileen are believed to have been the first couple married at Kent House and our deepest sympathies are extended to Eileen, Jonathan and Deborah and the entire Dingoor family. Messages of condolence can be sent to the family by email to the Synagogue Office.
|
|
Shabbat Services Links and Resources
Friday at 6:30pm -
Shabbat Evening Service
Tomorrow evening, Rabbi Benji will be leading the evening Service as we welcome in Shabbat.
Meeting ID: 687-484-054
Password: 518750
Saturday at 10:30am -
Shabbat B'Yachad Service
This week, Yael Roberts will be leading our Shabbat Morning service as we come together for a B'Yachad service for members and friends of all ages.
To follow along, click here to download the Siddur we will be using. This is updated on Friday afternoons.
Meeting ID: 809-168-590
Password: 146760
If you want to pick up a WS Siddur from Kent House, or wish to have one posted to you, rather than using the online version, let us know by clicking here.
As part of continuous reviews we have now opened our doors on Shabbat for members who are unable to access the Zoom services at home. If you, or someone you know, would like to attend, let us know. Please note, you must register each week before Friday afternoon, by either phoning us on 020 7584 3953 or by sending an email here.
|
|
We are meeting again to sing, connect to each other and enjoy ourselves- and if you didn’t come to these wonderful sessions when we were in person then you absolutely can start coming now.
We will come together next week on Tuesday 8th December from 8:00-9:00pm.
We are excited that Yoav Oved will teach some Leyning and singing. Hebrew, transliteration and sheet music will be provided. You don’t need to be “a great singer” to come, the purpose is to connect to our services and each other better, and to enjoy the singing.
Next week's get together will be the second of four over the coming two months (the other two sessions will be on 19th and 26th January), in which we will especially focus on singing for Friday night. We will also explore some of the meaning and structure of our prayers together, so that you might even integrate some elements into your personal routine at home.
You can come to any or all the sessions.
Many of you will remember some wonderful Chulyot sessions, and a service in which we all sang before Lockdown. Our momentum was postponed, but we have now thought about how to really make this work over Zoom, and can’t wait to be together singing again.
For more information and to sign up to (one or all of) the sessions, click here.
|
|
“B’Yachad” means “together” and we are excited to welcome
members of all generations to our Shabbat B’Yachad service this week on Saturday, 5th December, at 10:30am, via Zoom.
The service will be led by Yael Roberts, Emily Moxon and Yoav Oved and is a wonderful opportunity for all members to come together to celebrate Shabbat as a community.
We look forward to seeing you then!
Saturday 5th December
10:30am
|
Take part in our Pass the Candle video! All you have to do is pass a lit candle (or a light of any form) from the edge of the camera screen to another – if you have many people in your household you can all be in one shot and pass to each other first, or you can send us a variety of videos. If you want to get inspiration, why not view this Pass the Candle clip.
When you have recorded your video, please send it to Louise by the end of tomorrow, Friday, 4th December. The finished video will give us a chance to see the community connected and united, even if we can’t be together in person. Let us know if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help! |
|
This year we have come together Learning for Times of Uncertainty and Challenge to support us to cultivate love and care for our neighbours, our community, and all of humanity.
This Monday, 7th December, will be the last session of the autumn series which has explored The Two Most Important Principles in the Torah: Love your Neighbour as Yourself, and Humanity Being made in the Image of God. Our learning, over the sessions, will explore both the concepts of V’ahavtah L’reachah Kamocha (loving our fellow as ourselves) and B’tzelem Elohim (human beings created in the image of God).
On Monday 7th December
Yael Roberts will teach on what our Jewish spiritual texts and Kabbalah have to say about loving our neighbour and creation in God’s image. How can we cultivate love and treat everyone with care, when we encounter people that challenge us?
Monday 7th December
7:30-8:30pm
For more information, and to see the full list of upcoming sessions and their topics, click here.
|
|
It's always important to give ourselves the time to break away from the hustle and bustle - perhaps even more so when the stress of staying in can be getting stronger. As such, we're delighted that our Yin Yoga teacher, Shelly Annapurna, is back and running our Yin Yoga.
Yin Yoga focuses more on meditation than complicated poses, so everyone can join!
We will now be running Yin Yoga sessions on the first Friday of each month. Whether you can attend one session or every month, do join in and make sure you're looking after your mental health as well as physical.
Register below to receive the Zoom link to join in.
For the session we would normally use a yoga mat, a bolster and blanket to keep warm. This can be accomplished at home with some blankets and pillows, do bring some to the session and Shelly will instruct you on how to use them.
Friday 4th December
5:15pm-6:00pm
|
|
Please note all classes are currently being held online.
Saturday 12th December
11:00am
Friday 4th December
5:00pm
Friday 29th January
5:30pm
Wednesday 6th January
5:30pm
Wednesday 6th January
6:30pm
Monday 7th December
7:30pm
|
|
A Cup of Coffee with Sandy is a weekly instalment on AirTV where Sandy Kaye interviews a special guest.
Don't miss out on the latest instalment where she interviews our own Rabbi Benji, as they discuss his childhood, his passions and the importance of relationships, both with people and with Torah.
|
In the build up to Chanukah, you may wish to start getting into a gift-giving spirit, so why not give one that will help make the world a better place?
MyIsrael is home to life-changing charities in Israel that fall under-the-radar of the UK Jewish community. This year, they've created MyChanukahGift - a site where you can donate a gift that feels good and does good.
There'll be more ideas on good deeds to do throughout Chanukah in the coming weeks!
|
|
“Same old classic story, I fell in love during an Arabic class with an Italian girl that at first sight I thought was Palestinian”
Fragments of nightmares, traces of memories, and inherited wounds are creeping into Maia’s sleepless night. On Cloud Nine flows in a stream-of-consciousness form and portrays moments of the writer’s life that overpower her nights. Imprisoned within her own mind and unable to fall asleep, Maia is re-experiencing frantic episodes on a quest to find the wholeness of her existence. Juggling between her sexual, political, religious, and ethnic identities, Maia remembers her past and confronts her present. Spacing between childhood memories, intimate revelations, and recurring nightmares of wars never fought, On Cloud Nine echoes the history of Jews in Diaspora and the Middle East.
This show is written and performed by Mai Weisz and directed by Laura Wohlwend, both teachers at Or Shabbat.
This show will be performed fully live, streamed, and watched online in real-time. Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 we have decided to adapt our production for a digital audience. A viewing link will be sent to you on the day, an hour before the performance you book.
Monday 7th December
4:00pm
7:30pm
|
|
We are proud that Chesed - Care in the Community - is becoming an increasingly strong value in our community. As such, we're delighted to announce that we are recruiting for a new position on our staff team: a part time Community Welfare Manager
This will be a key role in the community, helping to ensure that all members are provided the appropriate welfare support they require - both internally and from external agencies. You will build on the existing framework to create a long-term sustainable community care programme, ensuring high quality, pro-active outreach and quick response times – often offering care and support yourself. This is a new professional role within the community and so an ideal opportunity to help us build and develop a first-class provision for someone who puts relationships and care at the heart of their work.
Westminster Synagogue is a growing, dynamic, independent, progressive synagogue of over 550 families / 800 members. Relationships with members and collaborative working is at the core of how we operate, ensuring that our members find a spiritual, welcoming and engaging Jewish home within our community - supported by a skilled and collaborative professional team of 16 people.
You must have relevant experience in managing various case-loads of this nature. Relevant professional qualification in this field are desirable. Whilst knowledge of the Jewish religion and customs is advantageous, it is not a requirement.
Email Gary Sakol for a full copy of the job description. |
|
Shabbat Services
Shabbat Evening Service - Every Friday night, 6.30pm - Join here.
Shabbat Morning Service - Every Saturday morning, 10.30am - Join here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
