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Author Archives: Mark Frazer

  1. ShabbatUK @Brondesbury Park

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    Approximately 550 people attended the various ShabbatUK events arranged by Brondesbury Park, which kicked off with a huge ladies Challah Make that didn’t just celebrate the mitzvah of making challah, but also featured wine, sushi, music and song. Also part of the build-up was a Whisky and Torah evening at which Rabbi Tatz spoke on the Hidden Dimension of Shabbat. Family activities and a captivating talk from Rabbi Sharon Shalom about his journey to becoming the first Ethiopian Rabbi enlivened the communal Friday Night Dinner no end. The Havdalah programme was equally upbeat, with attendees joining in a musical ceremony and children enjoying arts and crafts activities and a special supper.

    Objectives

    To generate a greater awareness of the value of Shabbat resulting in an increased level of observance

    To facilitate networking between less affiliated families in a warm shul environment

    To highlight various dimensions of Shabbat both in terms of preparation for Shabbat and in terms of how to get the most out of Shabbat through positive family interaction

    Evaluation from Rabbi Levin:

    “The challah bake drew in a swathe of people in the community who would not normally engage in our routine activities and gave them an appreciation of this unique mitzvah. The Friday night dinner generated a wonderful sense of communal spirit whilst reinforcing the value of Shabbat in people’s minds and allowing them to experience what it should feel like when done right. Havdalah left people feeling deeply moved. With our Eruv going live shortly this was an opportunity to hopefully set the scene for several families to fully embrace Shabbat observance once the Eruv is up and running.”

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  2. ShabbatUK @Heaton Park

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    Building on the success of their ShabbatUK last year, Heaton Park aimed to showcase just how enjoyable Shabbat can be with a full Shabbat day programme running from Shacharit through to Havdalah. Popular touring group The Travelling Chassidim really enhanced the ruach and spiritual nature of the service by lending their voices to the davening, later performing at the communal lunch, for which a marquee had been hired to accommodate demand.  A roster of high-profile speakers was led by Joe Flacks of AJEX, who had been invited to talk over Heaton Park’s AJEX Shabbat, and also included Yair Marom, an Israeli minister for Culture. The warm and hospitable environment created attracted both regular attendees and the less affiliated, as well as a cross-section of the community.

    Objectives

    Maintain momentum after our highly successful Shabbat UK last year – bring those people whose interest was piqued last year back into the shul environment

    Create a Shabbat environment that everyone will feel comfortable in, including those who are not usually engaged with Shul and/or Shabbat, which will inspire and positively reinforce both the Shabbat and Shul experience

    Encourage further participation in programmes throughout the year

    Evaluation from Hilary Foxler:

    “The Shabbat day programme continued through to the end of Shabbat and Havdallah, so for many, Shabbat was observed to a greater degree than usual. It reached out to all ages, bringing them together in warm, welcoming and spiritual environment to show how Shabbat is a day of switching off. Having The Travelling Chassidim showed how enjoyable a Shul service can be, while the marquee enabled us to accommodate a greater number than our shul hall – something the CRE helped us facilitate.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • Experienced a Shabbat Shacharis and Musaf service which was upbeat very enjoyable – the uplifting spirit Enjoyed a whole Shabbat day in a warm friendly welcoming environment in the spirit of Shabbos
    • I enjoyed the day and spending time with friends. Excellent speakers but rather spoiled by the traffic noise from the main road next to the tent
    • Thanks to the Heaton Park Shul Shabbat UK committee for organising this event and the CRE for helping fund it along with other donors Great to see how Shul grounds could be used to accommodate Marquee to enable more people to attend for Shabbat Lunch and programme

  3. ShabbatUK @Hillock Hebrew Congregation

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    Hillock Hebrew Congregation signed up to the ShabbatUK experience for the first time this year, and after an uplifting weekend that saw their numbers boosted to 40 people, hopes to repeat their success next year. An atmospheric service was followed by a catered lunch that gave attendees the opportunity to bond with others who they had met previously, but not had the chance to properly engage with.

    Objectives

    To promote a stronger understanding of the customs of Shabbat

    To demonstrate how enjoyable the Shabbat experience can be

    Evaluation from Clive Weller:

    “All attendees were very complimentary on entering the Shul and seeing how it had been set up for our luncheon. I read out the lovely message that was sent from the Chief Rabbi, which was well received. I felt it was a successful social occasion and that the ethos and whole “unity” aspect was appreciated. The general feeling was that we would like to join in next year, all being well. I was very pleased that we participated in the way that we did, and appreciate the initiative taken by the CRE in this way.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • Our small Shul is not in a position to put on many events due to a small membership, but this event was an exception and I was honoured to be part of the organising and attendance. I believe it strengthened us as a community
    • I knew a lot of people there so it was nice to meet up with friends. A great opportunity to affirm my Jewish identity in a social context
    • I gained much pleasure from having the extended company of those who I normally just see during the service

  4. ShabbatUK @Southport

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    ShabbatUK helps small communities like Southport feel part of the bigger whole, whilst providing an impetus for them to develop a memorable programme for members. Their Friday Night service attracted over 30 (including some who were unaffiliated), compared to a usual attendance of 5, with the joyful singing and great atmosphere culminating in some spontaneous dancing. This sense of unity and pride in Jewish identity was strengthened further at the catered communal dinner laid out in the shul hall.

    Objectives

    To maintain services and preserve the Shul

    To strengthen participants’ connection with their Jewish identity by providing a traditional Shabbat experience

    Evaluation from Rabbi Hackenbroch:

    “Food is always a good draw for Jews so a Friday night dinner provided an excellent opportunity to bring our community together, as well as alerting other communities that we are still very active. We ended up with 30 of our own members plus 6 who are unaffiliated to any shul, plus our visiting minister, Rabbi Kaye, bought a further 8 family and guests. The atmosphere instilled by the Rabbi was captivating, and he emphasised the importance of enjoying performing Mitzvot, especially keeping Shabbat. With your help we were able to provide an excellent meal at modest cost. Hopefully we can build on this success and repeat something similar on a regular basis.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • I came away with a greater sense of community spirit and warmth
    • Over the course of the service and meal I developed a greater bond with members of our community. The ‘market share’ that we achieved for a small community was very rewarding
    • The sense of community feeling was palpable, long may it continue

  5. ShabbatUK @Barnet Shul

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    A full ShabbatUK weekend involved 154 members keeping Shabbat right through from Candle Lighting to their Musical Havdalah, something made all the easier and more special by the launch of the Barnet community Eruv on Shabbat. An array of Shabbat afternoon activities – among them a ‘shloof station’ and a ‘board games station’ – were complemented by the presence of Dayan Abraham and Rabbi Daniel Rowe, two sterling speakers whose thought-provoking talks left listeners feeling spiritually enriched. Earlier in the week members enjoyed creative Challah Makes for both women and men.

    Objectives

    To have as many people enjoy a wonderful Shabbat experience as possible

    To stage a truly memorable Shabbat for all the family

    To encourage people to keep Shabbat

    Evaluation from Rabbi Lerer:

    “After the most beautiful singing Friday night service ever to grace our Shul, 190 members sat down to a delicious Friday Night Dinner and were inspired by the stirring words of Dayan Abraham. On Shabbat we all assembled again— we were not going to let some rain get in the way of our Shabbat! We sang slow songs as Shabbat ebbed away…..leading up to that Magical Havdala Service where we sang some more as we reflected on a truly remarkable Shabbat and a momentous achievement for our community! Everything impacted in a very positive way, the Shabbat reached so many people and at the same time kept a strong communal feel! Thank you to CRE for the support, we could not have achieved it without you.”

    Participant Feedback

    • I came away with an enhanced feeling of living in a community where you mix with people who you wouldn’t normally- we were all coming together for a common goal
    • This has inspired us to continue on our journey and inspire our sons to continue too
    • The whole programme was jam-packed and catered for everyone. It was the most thought out event I have ever seen in any Shul. Every aspect was well thought out logistically – mainly down to our wonderful Rabbi and Rebbetzin!
    • Kabbalat Shabbat was incredible. I’ve always loved the service since pre-bar mitzvah age – the way the whole community sung together was emotionally lifting

  6. ShabbatUK @Ahavas Yisrael

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    One of Edgware’s youngest communities certainly created a memorable ShabbatUK programme with an array of unique events and activities throughout the weekend. Their Challah Make brought together two different communities as members joined Langdon service users to knead challah, while a new spin was put on Friday Night proceedings with the ‘Shots & Sushi’ Kiddush that followed the upbeat Carlebach service. Langdon residents came back for a musical Melava Malka with a thoroughly British twist – a Fish ‘N’ Chips supper!

    Objectives

    • To bring together our kehilla on Friday night with a special service and Kiddush marking the uniqueness of Shabbat UK
    • To hold a Melaveh Malka to bring in new people with a supper and evening of musical entertainment
    • To join in the Shabbat UK events to further enhance our connection with the US family
    • To bring Shabbat UK to the Langdon community with a Challah bake held jointly with Brady Club

     

    Evaluation from Annette Koslover:

    “We made multi-coloured rainbow challah at our Challah Make, a fun and stimulating activity which perfectly suited Brady Club attendees and Ahavas Yisrael ladies and girls. It was a moving, unique and uplifting event. It was great to see children, parents, ladies and visitors who don’t regularly attend Friday night services at our Carlebach Friday Night service, which was incredibly uplifting. Our events enhanced the connection between Ahavas Yisrael and Langdon, where our Shabbat services are held. They demonstrated to the wider community our ethos of inclusion, warmth and hospitality”

    Participant Feedback

    • I thought both events were excellent. The entertainment was really excellent from Chazan Caplan’s singing to Yossi Fachler’s amusing Dvar Torah which still managed to carry good messages with it
    • I really enjoyed the Challah Make. I have never made Challah in such a friendly and welcoming environment. The Musical Melava Malka was a lovely way to connect with the community through music and singing
    • It was great and made a real change. It was very busy and a real family atmosphere which is something different on a Friday Night
    • Lovely atmosphere at a cross-communal, multigenerational event that attracted a range of people. The Dvar Torah presentations were just the right style and length and it was a great idea. It was all so enjoyable

  7. ShabbatUK @Solihull

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    A young man who became Shomer Shabbat in his teens was the guest speaker at Solihull’s ShabbatUK, which revolved around boosting community feeling and educating attendees further about the Jewish day of rest. A successful Challah Make on Thursday was followed by an explanatory service on the Shabbat morning, which saw Rabbi Pink give an enlightening running commentary while a guest Chazan took over davening. A community lunch was the perfect social accompaniment to the service.

    Objectives

    To expose members to the beauty of Shabbat

    To attract both the affiliated and the unaffiliated to shul

    Evaluation from Rabbi Pink:

    “We attracted people who were unaffiliated to attend both the Challah Make and the explanatory service, and raised the profile of Shabbat by utilising a young, orthodox professional as speaker. We attracted fresh participants, strengthened existing links and reinforced the perception that Judaism is relevant in the 21st century. Bringing in someone to help with davening enabled me to give a running commentary that allowed people to gain from the service.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • The explanatory service and lunch was a wonderful experience; I found Rabbi Pink’s discussion of aspects of the service really interesting. The Chazan sang nicely, the food was delicious, it was a great experience of what Shabbat can be like in a small community
    • I attended the entire Shabbat service. The quality of the explanations given by Rabbi Pink as the service progressed was excellent, both in content & delivery. It gave me real meaning and insight to what Shabbat really means.
    • I found the whole experience to be spiritually enlightening and uplifting. The attendance and support by our community was excellent. Lunch was beautifully cooked, tasty and well- presented. A special thank you should also be given to Rebbetzen Pink and her hard-working volunteers
    • It was excellent having the service explained and the page numbers read out, so for once I could follow the service! The lunch was excellent and, as the waitresses failed to turn up, there was a genuinely friendly community atmosphere as everyone mucked in

  8. ShabbatUK @ HGSS

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    Inspiring the youngest contingent of the shul membership was a recurring theme of HGSS’ ShabbatUK bonanza, which featured a huge marquee decked out as Abraham and Sarah’s tent, world-class speakers and manifold communal meals that buzzed with ruach. An energetic Youth Friday Night Dinner that offered a programme of fun activities attracted over 100 people, while hundreds flocked to the adult Friday Night and various Challah Makes.

    Objectives

    To make use of existing structures to integrate Shabbat UK activity into everyday shul activity

    To engage the youth in a more meaningful way during Friday night, to be continued through the youth directors and madrichim

    To create the Abraham’s Tent theme in the hope it will be a great springboard for more involvement in children’s services, BA and Tribe

    Participant Feedback:

    • We found both the Friday Night and Havdalah joyful, inspiring and truly communal. My wife wants to attend shul every Friday night and do more at Havdalah
    • What impressed me most was the wonderful atmosphere that filled the hall and it was delightful just to be there, and for those who missed out, they missed out big time
    • There is no doubt that our Rabbinic team are second to none; they carry the community spirit that is promoted by the Chief through the whole year, and it culminates with 600 members attending ShabbatUK
    • I loved the Challah Make – it was very smoothly organised with a good variety of activities to keep us occupied whilst we waited for the dough to raise and clear instructions. Thank you to all the organisers

  9. ShabbatUK @Finsbury Park

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    ShabbatUK at Finsbury Park got off to a creative start as children created wooden stars in a Parashat Lech Lecha-themed session titled ‘Ani Kohav’. These created the backdrop for their Shabbat, which was also preceded by FPS’ first ever Challah Make, where attendees included a handful of people who had never made challah or attended a ShabbatUK event before. FPS laid on the full Shabbat package over the weekend, with a Kabbalat Shabbat followed by dinner, talks from speaker Rabbi Dr Lowenthal and an upbeat Melava Malka featuring the band ‘Soul Flame’.  Participants came away encouraged by the vigour of community life and buoyed by the uplifting experience of a full Shabbat.

    Objectives

    To make people aware of the joys of Shabbat and to engender a community spirit

    To attract people who are less observant to shul and to the Shabbat experience

    Evaluation from Maytal Charing:

    “The children loved the ‘Ani Kohav’ activity and the fact that their stars were made for creating the atmosphere for our Shabbat UK events. For our Challah Make and our Shabbaton, we all sat “under the stars” that were made by the FPS kids and it was a pleasure to see for all. The Challah Make was a first at FPS. It was so successful that people who have never made Challot before promised to make challah every week and want another Challah Make event!”

    Participant Feedback:

    • It was the first Melava Malka that I have been to. My children felt welcomed and I met knew people, it was joyful! I am thinking about joining the shul
    • Since I keep Shabbat anyway, it was just an opportunity to have an enjoyable social evening. Kudos to the Chief Rabbi for initiating this event in the U.K.
    • I think the board are doing a marvellous job reviving the shul and focusing on what the community want. About a year ago, I rarely attended shul, but the fact it is taking part in Shabbat UK makes me want to attend shul more often
    • There was something for everyone, from the inspiring address by Rabbi Dr Lowenthal, the out of this world “Soul Flame” singers and the well-presented food

  10. Stanmore: 220 Challenge

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    A landmark learning event in the week before ShabbatUK brought a strong sense of community into the homes of Stanmore United members as attendees signed up to hear talks addressing different aspects of Shabbat. Seven guest speakers presented a rich array of topics to over 170 people at seven homes, building on the excitement created pre-ShabbatUK to connect congregants more closely to their Jewish identity.

    Objectives

    To provide people with a deeper understanding of Shabbat ahead of ShabbatUK
    To generate more excitement around ShabbatUK

    Evaluation from Rabbi Fine

    This event set the perfect prelude to ShabbatUK. All the speakers spoke about Shabbat and the community loved the choices available in genre, host and speaker. Also, for the community to come together for this project, with each host having to send out invites and really adopt the project, was superb. Everyone really took to it and there was a great relationship formed between the speakers and their hosts.

    Participant Feedback: