Comments Off on Visit to National Holocaust Centre has profound impact on Bushey members
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The importance of Holocaust education was reaffirmed for members of Bushey’s SAGE group during a sombre trip to the Beth Shalom National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Nottingham. The group, which comprises retired and semi-retired members of the community were moved by the vivid written, illustrated and recorded testimonies that brought the horrors of the Holocaust to life. They were also humbled to hear first-hand the account of a survivor from Germany.
Evaluation from Stuart Bloom, Organiser:
‘Whilst all attendees are fully aware of the atrocities of the Holocaust, to be able to see written and illustrated testimony as well as photography and recorded interviews, bought it all sharply into focus yet again. We all came away with our own personal thoughts on how this affected us but even more determined that future generations must be taught about the Holocaust and never be forgotten.’
Participant Feedback:
‘Extremely well organised and well worth a visit learnt quite a lot.’
‘It was the most amazing, awe-inspiring and moving trip. I will go again.’
Comments Off on Herts synagogues bring together top speakers for inspirational day
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A cluster of Hertfordshire synagogues pooled their creative ideas and enthusiasm for Jewish life to stage Encounters 18, an inspirational day that provided a range of Jewish learning opportunities and plenty of time for forming cross-communal bonds. Attendees travelled from communities including St Albans, Shenley, Luton, Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City to hear from sought-after speakers such as Jewish writer-comedienne Rachel Creeger and Aish UK Executive Director, Rabbi Daniel Rowe. Also on the agenda were sessions on mental health, delivered by Jonny Benjamin MBE and JAMI’s Neil Laybourn, Israel and Jewish history. There was a warm and friendly atmosphere during the buffet lunch.
Evaluation from Event Organiser:
‘Encounters 18 inspired, educated and entertained the audience. Feedback was excellent, praising the outstanding speakers, and requesting further such occasions to be organised. The highlight of the day was the moving presentation by Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn, relating their story of ‘The Stranger on the Bridge’. Jewish Care, who kindly contributed to the day, provided additional advice and information packs.’
Participant Feedback:
‘This was an outstanding programme. All sessions were excellent.’
‘A chance to meet and talk with similar minded folk, opportunity to learn something new, opportunity to listen to good speakers.’
‘This was a very good, value for money day, of the right duration and with good speakers at an excellent venue.’
‘All were excellent. The diplomat gave a real insight into dealing with the media, Ilana gave a fascinating talk, Rachel was brilliant talking about her experience as a female Jewish stand-up and Jonny and Neil were inspirational.’
Comments Off on Bushey invites Edwin Shuker to present film ‘Remembering Baghdad’
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The Bushey community couldn’t fault their evening with Edwin Shuker, the Jewish philanthropist, Board of Deputies Vice-President and documentary filmmaker, whose film ‘Remembering Baghdad’ was the focus of an enlightening and educational evening for the congregation. After a screening of the film, which interviews Jewish-Iraqi family about their memories of home, and follows Shuker as he sets down roots anew in Iraq, there was time for a Q & A and Iraqi-themed dinner.
Evaluation from Sarah Zackheim, Organiser:
‘This was the most amazing evening. The room looked incredible, the Iraqi dinner was delicious, the film was fantastic and having Edwin Shuker with us to run a Q&A absolutely made the evening. He was so inspirational and got a standing ovation at the end. We haven’t run this type of evening before so it was great to offer something different.’
Participant Feedback:
‘Excellent – one of the best we have ever come to at Bushey’
‘Very interesting and very fluent with his knowledge of his subject’
Comments Off on Hampstead stages festival of learning and culture to mark 125th anniversary
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As part of Hampstead’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, the community joined with Mizrachi UK to host the Spirit of Hampstead Festival. The Festival consisted of a full day’s programming that combined Jewish themes and textual learning with sessions featuring prominent leaders and thinkers in culture and politics. The speaker line-up included prominent lawyer Anthony Julius, Benny Davidson, who was involved in the Entebbe rescue mission, Rabbi Andrew Shaw of Mizrachi, map expert Steven Feldman and local MP Tulip Siddiq.
Evaluation from Adrienne Powell, Chair:
‘The festival was designed to celebrate the synagogue’s 125th anniversary by focussing on modern orthodox principles including Jewish learning, Israel and engagement with the wider community. The range of speakers covered all of these key areas and the audience feedback was excellent on the day. It was a wonderful opportunity for all age groups and backgrounds to come together and share learning, socialise and see Hampstead at its best – as a beacon of modern orthodox thinking.’
Participant Feedback:
‘An event of which Hampstead and the wider community can be very proud. Well done and thank you for all the hard work that went in. It certainly paid off.’
‘I had a really inspiring and enjoyable morning with original topics and great speakers.’
‘Steven Feldman’s mapping session was a delightful surprise. I didn’t really know what to expect and it was well researched, entertaining and educational’
‘Benny Davidson was brilliant, the whole room was silent as he was speaking.’
‘I heard Rabbi Shaw, whose talk was cogently argued, very well delivered, with an excellent tone and an interesting message.’
Comments Off on The Chief Rabbi’s Chevra Kadisha Seminar attracts volunteers from across the UK at first event of its kind
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Over 120 members of regional Chevrot Kadisha came together for the first time last Sunday at an unprecedented seminar dedicated to providing practical training in the preparation of a Jewish person for burial (Tahara). Demonstrations for both male and female volunteers formed the cornerstone of a programme which also recapped on the halachic (Jewish legal) requirements for those safeguarding the deceased and provided insight into both coronial procedure and the advent of scanning for Jewish communities.
The day-long seminar at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, which welcomed delegates from Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Hale, Leicester, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle and elsewhere, was devised by the Chief Rabbi to show his appreciation for volunteers. Dayan Gelley, Rosh Beth Din of the London Beth Din, opened the event by explaining the halachot volunteers must observe, immediately following a person’s death, taking questions throughout.
After lunch, Professor M. Jennifer Leeming, Senior Coroner for Manchester West and Shlome Sinitsky, volunteer liaison between burial societies and Coroner’s Offices in London, gave a joint presentation. This covered new ground for many participants and helped to demystify the role and remit of the Coroner. It also confirmed a person’s right to request scans instead of post-mortems, given the latter procedure is invasive and regarded in Judaism as compromising the sanctity of the body. Mr Sinitsky was instrumental in standardising the practice of using scans in London 15 years ago, so drew on his experience to explain this further.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed engaging and networking with others similarly committed to this essential mitzvah and noted with interest the regional differences between minhagim (customs) observed during Taharot.
Dayan Berger, Av Beth Din of the Manchester Beth Din, gave well-received Divrei Bracha (words of blessing) during lunch, before the Chief Rabbi expressed his delight at the turnout and opened the floor to questions to the theme of ‘Where do we go from here?’
One participant said: ‘It was the first time in 39 years of involvement [in Chevra Kadisha work] that I have been offered a demonstration. It was great, and the talk by the Coroner was also very relevant and beneficial.’
The Chief Rabbi told delegates: ‘Let no Chevra Kadisha in the country feel that they are operating without anyone to approach for guidance. Come to us, come to the Dayanim, come to your Rabbanim with your questions.’
Comments Off on Homemade Hamantaschen get Luton into the Purim spirit
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To build excitement ahead of Purim, Luton invited Rebbetzen Vogel of Ealing to run a Hamantaschen-baking workshop that not only taught its members how to make the traditional Purim treats, but also explored the various symbolic associations that the triangular pastries have acquired. It functioned well as a social event, with the Rebbetzen noting how people stayed behind to chat.
Evaluation from Rivkah Schwei, Rebbetzen:
‘People enjoyed learning the art of making pastry dough and then rolling out and filling one that had been prepared in advance – everyone took home hamantashen in a pretty box. I noticed that at the end, many people stayed around to chat, which always indicates to me that they are enjoying themselves. The event attracted nearly thirty people, including children, from various places as well as members who do not usually come to our social events.’
Participant Feedback:
‘It was great to be among our fellow Jews, connecting, laughing but also doing something very seriously spiritual. It is so nice for the Chief Rabbi to support this event.’
‘It was well planned and well executed. I thoroughly enjoyed it!’
‘We really enjoyed it. It was fun to be with our friends and meet new people.’
‘Very well run event, a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed it. Learnt something as well!’
Comments Off on Chief Rabbi: “The inexcusable suffering of the Rohingya is a stain on the conscience of humanity”
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Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh due to the continued persecution and destruction of their homes, which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.
In response, three large Jewish humanitarian organisations have come together from across the world in a joint campaign to help the Rohingya; World Jewish Relief in the UK, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and Israeli-based humanitarian aid agency IsraAid.
The Chief Rabbi backed the campaign with the following message:
Comments Off on Bushey zips through 6,000 years of Jewish History with educator Ronnie Halibard
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Members of Bushey Synagogue had an educational treat in store after work when Jewish historian and educator Ronnie Halibard came to present his popular ‘Jewish History in a Flash’ presentation. Designed to provide participants with a basic, but vital knowledge of key events and junctures in 6,000 years of Jewish history, the audio-visual presentation went beyond a typical lecture with its original format and entertaining presenter.
Evaluation from Sarah Zackheim, Organiser:
‘It was a really unique evening and everyone really enjoyed it. Was definitely worthwhile and we would have Ronnie back again. It also brought in some different people who haven’t come to events before. It was great to have an educational offering midweek which was original.’
Participant Feedback:
‘The presentation was very good. Lots of information presented well in a light-hearted manner.’
‘He was extremely good – informative and interesting.’
‘He was educational and entertaining in equal measure’.
Comments Off on Rabbi Kelemen brings fresh perspective as Scholar in Residence for Stanmore
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As an authority on community wellbeing and family relationships, Rabbi Kelemen found an enthusiastic and willing audience in the many young families who attend Stanmore shul, when he spoke during the Shabbat morning service. He fascinated members with his exploration of parenting strategies that were derived solely from Torah sources, providing them with effective strategies for raising happy children. Meanwhile, their children were being entertained by an alternative programme.
Evaluation from Assistant Rabbi Daniel Fine:
‘Rabbi Kelemen was superb. He was without a doubt a great speaker and certainly got more people thinking and engaged with Torah content.’
Participant Feedback:
‘Rabbi Kelemen was brilliant – well thought out, relatable and some amazing ideas on relationships and parenting. I have gained a new awareness and perspective on marriage and parenting.’
‘Rabbi Kelemen is one of the best speakers I know and I enjoyed listening to him very much.’
Comments Off on Israeli scientists educate crowd in Birmingham for Israel’s 70th
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Two Israeli scientists shared their expert knowledge and provided fascinating insights into their work at the first of many Israel70 events taking place in Birmingham to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary. University Faculty Chair Mouna Maron and Chief Vet Igal Horowitz discussed their respective work, with Ms Maon speaking about her research into memory and emotion and Mr Horowitz discussing historical figures who owned large menageries. People came from as far afield as Coventry to attend the event and all rated the speakers very highly.
Evaluation from Ruth Jacobs, Organiser:
‘The event attracted a very good quality audience who were inspired to hear the speakers. This event was important to the shul as it launched a series of Israel 70 events. The program attracted members of the audience who would not usually come to events in the shul and also attracted non shul members and people from neighbouring communities.’
Participant Feedback:
‘An excellent event. Both speakers were very informative, highlighting the wonderful and very important work that they were doing in their individual fields.’
‘A very interesting and stimulating talk by two charming Israeli academics.’
‘I greatly enjoyed it and appreciated hearing two enthusiastic scientists talk about their work. They were both excellent communicators with fascinating topics.’
‘Superb! Inspiring! Heart-warming! Made one proud to be a Jew!’
