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Author Archives: Mark Frazer

  1. Birmingham central: Neshot Chayil Shabbat

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    Event

    In honour of Shabbat Bereishit, Birmingham Central held their first Neshot Chayil Shabbat in celebration of the great contribution of female members to community life. There was a higher than expected, cross-generational turnout for a communal lunch that was given a unique edge by playwright, theatre director and performer Rachel Creeger, who spoke eloquently about the significance of the Ayshet Chayil poem and the miracles of creation.

    Objectives

    To recognize the central role that ladies play within the shul and community
    To create a warm environment in which different generations can come together
    To provide opportunities for Jewish learning, both through the Shabbat experience and the speaker

    Evaluation from Enid Korn

    The aim of this event was to recognise the work done by the ladies who quietly and frequently, and with little public recognition, give of their time and skills to support and enhance the shul community and its programmes. The event totally met its aims and objectives. The retelling of the work and life stories of our two neshot chayil brought the community together and fostered a sharing between the generations. One unexpected outcome was that there were members of other Birmingham congregations present, fostering good will and harmony. The event was more popular than had been expected which was a great achievement.

    Participant Feedback:

    • There was a great feel-good factor. A joyous and happy experience.
    • A very satisfying and uplifting experience. The atmosphere was great!
    • The Bnot Chayil lunch was a first for Central Synagogue and proved very successful.
    • A wonderful occasion which was well supported. Another plus factor was that people from different parts of the community were united together.

  2. Singers Hills: Succah Crawl Bus Hop

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    Event

    To stimulate interest in Succot, and specifically the building a Succah, Singers Hill arranged for their teen members to board a special bus that took them on a Succah Crawl of 7 families in the community, thereby increasing opportunities for positive and enjoyable engagement with the festival and each other. The Rabbi also built a Succah with them, and the ruach and great atmosphere generated on the bus carried through to Simchat Torah the next day, when more people turned out as a result.

    Objectives

    To encourage people to build sukkah and teach children the fun side of having a Sukkah

    Evaluation from Rabbi Jacobs

    ‘Despite being half term and many young families being away we had 27 children and teens which for a small community is fantastic. We visited five Succot and all the children had a great time and have been talking all about it. This has become the talk of town and people were surprised we still have so many Jewish children in Birmingham. Seeing the children with the elderly was amazing and brought so many different parts of the community together.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • The children spent valuable time with their friends, learning all about Succot and how families spent their time
    • What a great social event and Succot experience. My child had a great time
    • This was a brilliantly fun and informative activity for teens

  3. Borehamwood & Elstree: Simchat Torah Fairground-Style

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    Event

    A Simchat Torah party to end all Simchat Torah parties, BES’ novel fairground-style celebration brought the community together in honour of their Chatanim and Neshot Chayil to enjoy funfair stalls such as darts and coconut shyes and classic funfair food like gourmet burgers and hotdogs, as well as some exciting cocktails. All sections of the community were engaged and the atmosphere resembled a buzzing simcha, leaving everyone who attended in high spirits and with a greater sense of togetherness.

    Objectives

    To honour the Chatanim and Neshot Chayil
    To run a Simchat Beit Hashoeva giving people an opportunity to celebrate Succot as a community
    To bring the adults of the community together for a fun informal evening

    Evaluation from Simon Mitchell

    ‘We succeeded in bringing in lots of people who wouldn’t normally attend a shul event to celebrate with our honourees. From the feedback received many will come back and attend other events and programs. It was described as the best shul event one very longstanding member had ever attended. Huge thanks as ever to the CRE – without you we would not be able to run the events we do.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • It was a great evening with friends and people I didn’t know as well
    • From this I have gained a closer affiliation to the shul, a greater sense of community and an appreciation for our Chatanim and Neshot Chayil
    • Thanks to the CRE for supporting this event – it was good fun

  4. Barnet: Ellul Learning Programme

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    Programme

    Barnet members were treated to a series of three enlightening lectures that provided refreshing angles on the High Holidays in advance of the Yom Tovim. The Ellul Learning Programme brought in renowned speakers from LSJS to discuss such topics as the meaning of Teshuvah and its importance, thereby providing spiritual nourishment to participants and strengthening their connection to textual study. This left them feeling prepared as they headed into Rosh Hashana.

    Objectives

    To involve as many members as possible in a series of Jewish Education lectures for all different levels
    To make prepare members for a more meaningful spiritual experience over the Yom Tovim

    Evaluation from Rabbi Lerer

    ‘It was an opportunity for members of the community to engage with the upcoming High holidays. The talks were excellent, all given by professionals who are top of their field and pitched at varying levels, so there was something for everyone. It allowed members of the community to come together and learn about the High Holidays before the event so that they did not enter them blindly. A big thank you to the CRE for their help with funding this project. It would not have happened without your support!’

    Participant Feedback:

    • This programme has made me realise that it’s time to think about myself and study text
    • I have gained a deeper appreciation of the meaning of Teshuvah, as well as a motivation to improve myself over the High Holy Days
    • Was wonderful to hear my favourite speakers from LSJS in my own synagogue, without having to drive to Hendon!

  5. The Chief Rabbi’s Tribute to Shimon Peres

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    On the 28th September 2016, the Chief Rabbi gave the following tribute to the late Shimon Peres.

    There will be countless tributes to Shimon Peres over the coming days, but I fear that few, if any, will adequately capture the palpable sense of collective grief felt across the world, nor do justice to the memory of a true giant amongst men.

    It is true that Shimon Peres was a great statesman. He was the noblest of soldiers, a born leader, a uniquely talented diplomat, an inspiring speaker and a relentless campaigner.

    But, more significantly than any of those things, Shimon Peres was the greatest living example of an unshakable belief in the pursuit of peace against all odds.

    ‘Shimon Peres was the greatest living example of an unshakable belief in the pursuit of peace against all odds‘

    However dark the day and however distant the dawn seemed, his unflinching optimism gave hope to millions of people, not just in Israel but across the world, that if we could just cling onto that dream of peace for a little while longer, we would eventually celebrate its realisation.

    Tragically, thus far, we have not succeeded. But from Shimon Peres we learned that we must never let go of that audacious commitment to peace, even when all around us are ready to do so.

    When he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 he said: “…while one is obliged to plan with care the stages of one’s journey, one is entitled to dream, and keep dreaming, of its destination.”

    ‘From Shimon Peres we learned that we must never let go of that audacious commitment to peace, even when all around us are ready to do so’

    Today, Shimon Peres’s journey through this world has finally come to its end and he has arrived at his destination. As for those of us whom he inspired during his remarkable lifetime, we say:

    No matter what the future holds, your legacy lives on in the Jewish people who will never rest until we achieve our eternal dream of peace among the peoples of the world.

  6. Chief Rabbi’s Regional Leaders gather in Birmingham

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    Birmingham Central Synagogue hosted 60 regional community leaders from across the UK yesterday as delegates from locations including Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff and Newcastle came to learn, network and share ideas at the Chief Rabbi’s Regional Community Leaders Conference 2016, where the theme was ‘Working Together’.

    On the table for discussion were the key issues affecting UHC (United Hebrew Congregation) communities outside London, as well as advice on how best to realise aspirations for revitalised shul services, increased membership and improved self-sufficiency.

    Delegates received best practice tips from their counterparts on topics including inter-shul twinning initiatives and ‘Visiting Rabbis’ – both projects of the Chief Rabbi’s CRE – and how to make more creative use of their Shul buildings. This provided the impetus for constructive discussions in subsequent breakout sessions.

    The Chief Rabbi, the Chief Executive of the United Synagogue, Steven Wilson, and renowned Jewish education and programming specialist Elana Chesler shared inspiring examples of community development and refreshed programming. Speaking on ‘Community Initiatives That Change Lives’, the Chief Rabbi emphasised the importance of ‘Minyan not Binyan’ – focussing investment on people rather than buildings.

    He praised the conference as a “remarkable example of how the unbridled enthusiasm and creativity of committed lay leaders, together with the game-changing projects of CRE have coalesced to kindle further the flame of Jewish life in communities beyond the London bubble. Kol HaKavod to everyone involved.”

    Participant Malcolm Hyams, a Trustee of Solihull & District Hebrew Congregation, credited the “very informative conference” with providing useful information to all the communities represented and thanked CRE for its support: “It has enabled Solihull to play in a league far above what we could achieve alone”.

    Uptake for the annual conference, which is organised by the Centre for Rabbinic Excellence (CRE) department of the Office of the Chief Rabbi, has grown year on year since its debut in 2013 to become an invaluable fixture for those involved in the fabric of community life.

    Click the images below to enlarge.

     

  7. Enfield & Winchmore Hill: Tashlich Cruise II

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    Event

    The Tashlich Cruise developed by Rebbetzen Sufrin of Enfield is fast becoming an annual tradition, as members embarked on their second educational and social barge trip in honour of this mitzvah. In addition to learning about the Rosh Hashana custom and embracing the opportunity to perform it, members enjoyed lunch and entertainment delivered by madrichim and a speaker. Levels of praise for a shul-organised event were unprecedented.

    Objectives

    To put Tashlich on the map and to satisfy popular demand for the next Tashlich Cruise!
    To promote understanding of this very important annual custom

    Evaluation from Rebbetzen Sufrin

    ‘The cruise brought an awareness of Tashlich to a group of people who not only had not practiced it, but may not have even heard of it. One person was so moved by it, that he wanted to do an extra mitzvah, probably becoming the first person ever to don Teffilin on the Golden Star on the Thames. Never before had there been such a volume of praise, compliments, and adulation for a shul organised activity. Coming off the boat and later off the coach, the smiling faces were a pleasure to behold. People were already signing up for the next one on the day! Thank you CRE for the encouragement to go bigger and bigger.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • It gave me a lovely feeling of combined religious and social belonging
    • An innovative idea and a bit different from the norm. For a small Synagogue Enfield punches above its weight
    • Thanks for an inspiring and spiritual day out which gave us the motivation to go home and build a Succah.
    • The entire afternoon was beautifully orchestrated and went off without any hitches. Everyone participating thoroughly enjoyed it and our wonderful Rebbetzen Mrs Sufrin even managed to get lovely weather thrown in!
    • The reaction of the other community members from various synagogues who attended was of joy, happiness and togetherness. Everyone participated and enjoyed the entertainment. I would definitely go again next year.

  8. Yeshurun: Shabbat Under the Stars

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    Event

    Shabbat became an outdoor adventure when members of the Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation joined family and friends to pitch tents at the Bowley Scout Camp in Blackburn. The programme for ‘Shabbat Under the Stars’ included a musical Kabbalat Shabbat in a field (!), a late night Tish with songs plus a Q & A with Rabbi Atlas, discussions about Jewish dilemmas and a spectacular Havdalah barbecue and bonfire, all of which engaged everyone, regardless of their age, gender or level of religious observance, and created a festive atmosphere. The weather wasn’t brilliant, but this didn’t matter at all.

    Objectives

    To get community members together in a different environment to spend time outside of Shul with the Rabbi and his family
    To attract people who are not necessarily regular Shul goers
    To provide education outside of the Shul environment, especially for children and youth, to show that Shabbat can be fun

    Evaluation from Rebbetzen Atlas

    ‘There were many different community members from different social groups and ages, all happy to get to know those who they were less familiar with. There was a wonderful Shabbat atmosphere – away from modern life. There was a real communal feel to the whole weekend, especially as we got non-members involved, with everyone helping and taking part. We would highly recommend this to other communities. You get to know your community in a different way, outside of shul. Members also get to know their Rabbi and family as we are more approachable. There is more quality time for conversations and discussions.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • Very interesting discussions with just the right balance of religious and secular content
    • The ruach and sense of togetherness over the Shabbaton were very special. I particularly enjoyed the davening outside on Friday night and the discussion of dilemmas on Shabbat morning after the service
    • What a fantastic weekend enjoying a wonderful Shabbat under the Stars! Organised brilliantly by Rabbi Chanan and his lovely wife Nechama. We were all made to feel so welcome from the moment we pitched our tents. I’m already looking forward to next year
    • A lovely supportive non-judgemental atmosphere, plus some great discussion sessions
    • A chance to engage with people and ages I may not normally mix with. What I gained: some thought-provoking discussions on faith vs ritual, respect for the beauty of Shabbat, singing and bensching

  9. CCE: The Impact 2016

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    Since its inception two years ago, the Centre for Community Excellence (formerly Centre for Rabbinic Excellence) has evolved into an invaluable hub for sharing best practice, sourcing creative ideas for programming and events and accessing funding that can transform innovative concepts into impressive and unprecedented realities. Across the UK, communities large and small have availed of CCE’s resources to enhance Jewish community life, with well over 200 programmes and events receiving funding in the past two years.

    Parallel to this, CCE has supported various initiatives primed to reinvigorate community life, such as The Chief Rabbi’s Etz Chaim Project, and has committed itself to investing in the spiritual and lay leadership of communities by helping establish such programmes as Rabbis for Communities and Valerie Mirvis’ Investing in Rebbetzens series. You can read more about these projects and view a selection of some of the exemplary events CCE has funded in The Impact brochure, our latest publication.

    Click the thumbnails below to scroll through the booklet on the website. Alternatively, you can download a PDF of the report here.

     

     

     

  10. Join the Chief Rabbi at Midnight Selichot

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    Please join the Chief Rabbi for this year’s ‘Midnight Selichot’, which will be held on Motzei Shabbat of 24th September, at Hendon United Synagogue.

    Rabbi Eliyahu Silverman will give a shiur at 10.30pm, before the service commences at 11.30pm with a short address by the Chief Rabbi. The service will conclude at 1.00am.

    All attendees will receive a free copy of Koren Selichot for the First Night, which contains commentary by Chief Rabbi Mirvis.

    No advanced booking necessary.

    The full address is:

    Hendon United Synagogue

    Raleigh Close

    London NW4 2SY