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Author Archives: Mark Frazer

  1. The Chief Rabbi and his communities celebrate The Queen’s 90th Birthday

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    The Chief Rabbi and his communities joined with people throughout Great Britain and the Commonwealth in celebrating The Queen’s official 90th birthday over the weekend of 10-12th June.

    Delivering BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day early on Thursday morning, the Chief Rabbi reflected that British Jews would have occasion to rejoice in both their religious and national identities over the Shavuot-Royal Birthday weekend.

    At the invitation of Her Majesty, the Chief Rabbi took part in a national thanksgiving service on Friday morning, together with other faith leaders, which was televised live by the BBC.

    In a video message released across his social media channels that day, the Chief Rabbi conveyed his congratulations to The Queen and prayed that the Almighty would “bless [Her Majesty] with continued good health, happiness and…strength”.

    An amended Prayer for the Royal Family which acknowledged The Queen’s birthday was issued by the Chief Rabbi to all of his communities for recital in their synagogues on Saturday. They also received a message from the Chief Rabbi that spoke warmly of the strong relationship between the monarchy and the Jewish community.

    Almost 60 UK-based US and UHC communities received a celebratory banner from the Office of the Chief Rabbi, which they hung proudly inside or outside their shuls (see gallery below). Many staged patriotic community events, such as a ‘Street Party Kiddush’, with many opting to combine them with their Shavuot celebrations.

  2. Redbridge Shavuathon

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    Event

    A packed three-day programme offering inspiring learning and exceptional ruach over Shabbat and Shavuot brought Redbridge members together to celebrate not just the ‘Festival of Weeks’, but also the Queen’s 90th birthday. A varied learning programme involved sessions delivered by a visiting Yeshiva University graduate, Rabbi Wilson himself and chavruta learning with The Travelling Chasidim, who also enhanced the celebratory atmosphere during the acapella Shabbat service. Sunday saw an appropriately milky ‘cream tea’ Kiddush in honour of the Queen, followed by a talk on ‘Sovereignty in Jewish history’. Communal meals were enjoyed throughout the weekend.

    Objectives

    The aim of the programme is to continue to raise the profile of Shavuot and completely change its image from a niche festival to a Chag that everyone can enjoy
    To offer learning opportunities that suit a range of members’ needs
    To create an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere by hosting The Travelling Chasidim
    To offer a new experience of Jewish unity for members by bringing together the scholar-in-residence, the Chasidic families and Redbridge members

    Evaluation from Rabbi Wilson

    ‘The programme undoubtedly achieved my aim of updating Shavuot’s image, by making the entire three days into a celebration, which included learning, musical davening and wonderful food. In addition to enjoying the Yom Tov spirit, the scholar in residence was extremely well received. It was eye-opening for the community to have both a group of lively Chassidim and a young YU graduate for the Chag. Some of the verbal feedback was incredible. Thanks again to CRE for the support!’

    Participant Feedback:

    • I felt that the atmosphere was very good and I am sure everyone who attended got a lot out of the several talks, learning sessions and services and look forward to more of these communal events. It shows with the correct mix of events Shul can be a good social event.
    • It shows with the right amount of effort, going to Shul can be a nice occasion and a very social occasion where you can reach out and get more of our congregation involved and interested in coming to Shul more often.
    • Both Rabbi Schwarz and Rabbi Wilson gave very interesting and informative shiurim, we learnt a lot. Having The Travelling Chasidim with us worked very well, it was very enlightening for all of us having the wives and children too.

  3. Chigwell: Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Solomon

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    Over Shavuot, Chigwell & Hainault welcomed Rabbi Johnny Solomon as their scholar-in-residence, benefiting from his thought-provoking Torah insights at numerous points throughout the weekend, which included two enlightening sermons. His talks variously targeted different groups in the community, making each subject more personal to them, and he was commended for his refreshed and modern outlook. Participants left feeling inspired.

    Objectives

    To inspire, uplift and inform the various different groups comprising the Chigwell & Hainault community over Shavuot

    Evaluation from Rabbi Davis

    ‘Rabbi Solomon spoke many times across the chag, covering a wide spectrum of subjects, in varying degrees of depth, depending on the size and make-up of audiences. This way he reached a huge number of our members which was deeper when it was lighter. People left the Yom Tovim inspired, uplifted and – we hope, somewhat better educated!’

    Participant Feedback: 

    • It was great, a really thought-provoking series of talks from a brilliant scholar
    • In sum, they were excellent, thought-inspiring and spiritually-uplifting
    • I found the guest speaker to be a refreshing voice showing an awareness of the modern world and whilst strictly orthodox, not bound up by dogma or outdated views
    • The weekend was very inspiring and it has enhanced my wish to keep learning

  4. Prayer in Honour of The Queen’s 90th Birthday

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    The Chief Rabbi has released an amended version of The Prayer for the Royal Family that acknowledges the occasion of Her Majesty’s official birthday this weekend. He is encouraging all communities to recite the Prayer in shul this Shabbat.

    Prayer in Honour of The Queen’s 90th Birthday

    Shabbat 11th June 2016

    ‘He who gives salvation to kings and dominion to princes, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom – may He bless;

    OUR SOVEREIGN LADY QUEEN ELIZABETH
    PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH
    CHARLES PRINCE OF WALES
    AND ALL THE ROYAL FAMILY

    May the supreme King of kings, who in His mercy, has seen fit to preserve the Queen in life and good health beyond her ninetieth year, continue to guard her and deliver her from all trouble and sorrow. May He bless and protect Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. May He put a spirit of wisdom and understanding into her heart and into the hearts of all her counsellors, that they may uphold the peace of the realm, advance the welfare of the nation and deal kindly and justly with all the house of Israel.

    We offer our gratitude for the blessings You have bestowed upon our gracious and noble Sovereign throughout the ninety years of her life. In Your infinite wisdom, You have guided the hand of Her Majesty the Queen and made her a worthy Monarch who loves peace, inspires loving-kindness and champions the finest values of our society. May she continue to reign in good health for many years to come.

    In her days and in ours, may our Heavenly Father spread the tabernacle of peace over all the dwellers on earth; and may the redeemer come to Zion; and let us say Amen.’

    Please follow the link below to download a PDF version of this Prayer:

    Prayer in honour of The Queen’s 90th Birthday

  5. New York’s Touro College awards Chief Rabbi Honorary Doctorate

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    The Chief Rabbi has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Touro College, New York, in recognition of his commitment to strengthening Jewish education.

    He accepted the accolade at a graduation ceremony attended by over 650 students of Touro’s Schools, among them graduates of the Lander Colleges that were established to cater for the needs of the American observant Jewish community.

    Addressing the gathering, the Chief Rabbi drew parallels between lessons from the Torah and the achievements of those graduating.

    “Many of you have had the intention, the thoughts, the dream to someday actually receive a degree. Today, you have translated that dream into a wonderful reality” he told them.

    You can watch the Chief Rabbi’s address to graduates of the Lander Colleges here.

     

  6. Chief Rabbi launches Bushey’s new learning programme

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    The Chief Rabbi was pleased to join members of Bushey United Synagogue on Wednesday to launch ‘Engage’, a new adult learning programme that he praised as “ambitious”.

    A crowd of 140 attended the launch, for which the Chief Rabbi spoke at length on the topic of ‘The Omer, Zionism and Anti-Semitism’, before opening the floor to a lively Q & A.

  7. Alei Tzion: Scholar in Residence Rabbi Shalom Rosner

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    Alei Tzion’s latest Scholar-in-Residence programme involved a range of high-quality lectures delivered by Rabbi Shalom Rosner over the course of a weekend. Rabbi Rosner, of the Modern Orthodox Zionist community in Israel, shared thought-provoking Torah insights with a crowd composed of both members and non-members, who left inspired.

    Objectives

    To expose the members of the community as well as members of the wider community to the best of the Torah scholarship from one of today’s modern orthodox Zionist rabbinic leaders

    Evaluation from Rabbi Roselaar

    ‘The aim of the programme was to provide a weekend of high-level and intellectually challenging education. The scholar-in-residence gave shiurim to a wide cross-section of the community and the range of shiurim presented meant that there was something for everyone. A significant number of members and non-members attended the shiurim and lectures and were inspired by them.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • Excellent range of talks and events over the weekend that catered to different parts of the congregation and levels of learning. I felt that the shul made good use of Rav Rosner’s time
    • Rabbi Rosner was a highly motivating speaker with impressive Torah insight.
    • The shiur was very impressive with high quality content and really excellent delivery
    • Very talented and engaging speaker. Thank you!

  8. Birmingham Central: A pioneering concert for Lag B’Omer

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    As part of their programme celebrating Lag B’Omer, Birmingham Central members enjoyed an evening of orchestral music that featured works by Jewish composers and used pioneering technology to enhance the sound of the music, thus creating the impression of a full orchestra. Rabbi Kaminetsky was among the musicians, as a professional violinist, and attendees were given an explanation as to the historical and religious background of Lag B’Omer, as well as its connection to music. Attendees mingled over light refreshments.

     

    Objectives

    To raise awareness of the significance of Lag B’omer

    To bring together in a religious setting many diverse groups from around the wider Birmingham community

    To provide both cultural entertainment and to expand communal awareness of a significant day within the Jewish calendar

    Evaluation form Sybil Prais

    ‘The concert was fantastic with amazing performances from the musicians, together with the uniquely pioneering Symphonova method, which has only been performed a few times worldwide. 26 musicians, technicians and support staff travelled up from London and the Home Counties. The audience absolutely loved it! Some of the comments received: “Brilliant!” “Atmospheric and unforgettable!” “Fabulous, what talent!” “More concerts please.” ‘

    Participant Feedback:

    • I certainly came away with a greater understanding about Lag Ba’Omer
    • It was nice to socialise with people from the other communities in the city
    • I found the whole experience uplifting. The atmosphere in the synagogue was joyful and celebratory and the quality of music and musicianship from all participants was exceptional
    • A knowledge of an amazing new technology bringing the sound of a full orchestra to the likes of a small shul hall. Shelley Katz – a brilliant man

  9. Valerie Mirvis heads Rebbetzens Leadership Trip to Gibraltar

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    This week forty Rebbetzens from London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Hong Kong, travelled to Gibraltar on Valerie Mirvis’ two day leadership trip as part of her landmark Investing in Rebbetzens Series, which has been developed in conjunction with the Chief Rabbi’s Centre for Rabbinic Excellence (CRE).

    After touring the island, the group attended a session on interfaith work and a leadership panel chaired by Mrs Mirvis, on which The Hon. Mrs. Justice Ramagge Prescott, the first woman to be appointed to the Bench of the Gibraltar Supreme Court and Alice Mascarenhas, Deputy Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle, discussed their respective career paths.

    Valerie (centre) presided over a special Leadership panel that featured Justice Ramagge Prescott (left) and senior journalist Alice Mascarenhas (right)

    Valerie (centre) presided over a special Leadership panel that featured Justice Ramagge Prescott (right) and senior journalist Alice Mascarenhas (left)

    140 ladies of the Gibraltar Jewish community hosted the group at a special sell-out banquet in the Grand Battery, during which The Hon Samantha Sacramento, Minister for Tourism, Social Services, Equality and Housing spoke impressively.

    The next day, Valerie delivered a lively lecture on ‘Managing Change’ and then paid a visit to Governor Lieutenant General Edward Davis.

    The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, The Hon. Fabian Picardo, addressed the group in the Nafusot Yehuda Synagogue.

    Eleven of the Rebbetzens gave shiurim to their fellow participants, who included eighty women from the Gibraltar community and pupils at the Gibraltar Jews’ High School and the Talmud Torah Primary School.

    Following the visit, Valerie Mirvis commented, “This ground-breaking, jam-packed trip was designed to teach leadership skills in a fun, innovative and impactful way to equip and inspire our Rebbetzens to initiate new projects in their communities, with the support of the CRE. Gibraltar is a model of inter-faith co-existence and with its vibrant Jewish community and outstanding leaders, was the perfect place for our trip.”

    Valerie delivers an insightful session on Managing Change to Rebbetzens on the trip

    Participants returned inspired to apply what they had learnt to their communities back home. Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein of Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue and Head of Project Development of the United Synagogue’s Living & Learning Department said: “Valerie’s thought-provoking talk on Managing Change, had more than one Rebbetzen texting her husband with ideas that I’m sure will be coming to a neighbourhood near you very soon.”

    Rebbetzen Shoshana Landau of Kingston United Synagogue added: “The trip was a resounding success, both in execution and achievement.”

    Investing in Rebbetzens is a  landmark new series devised by Valerie Mirvis to empower and inspire our community’s leading ladies. Through a combination of professional development and leadership seminar days and the Gibraltar Leadership Trip, the series is offering new avenues for spiritual exploration, facilitating closer rapport between Rebbetzens across the UK and the Commonwealth and the chance to broaden both skill and mind-sets.

    In addition to the gallery of photos below (please click each image to enlarge), you can view a slideshow of images from the Gibraltar Trip here.

  10. Chief Rabbi celebrates with Stanmore at 70th Gala Dinner

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    The Chief Rabbi spoke with warmth of the outstanding achievements of the Stanmore & Canons Park community at a gala dinner held in honour of their synagogue’s 70th anniversary.

    He joined over 300 people, among them former minister, Rabbi Dr Jeffrey Cohen, the entrepreneur Dame Stephanie Shirley and the Holocaust survivor, Gena Turgel.

    He observed a kehilla that had gone from strength to strength under the direction of Chairman, Merrick Wolman and Senior Rabbi Mendel Lew, together with their teams of spiritual and lay leaders.

    Stanmore Gala dinner