Bushey’s ‘next generation’ were invited to get to know their new Rabbi and Rebbetzen in a relaxed and fun environment with a quiz at their local pub. Rabbi and Rebbetzen Feldman were on hand to chat with attendees, who were both regulars and non-Shul-goers, as they puzzled over Jewish and non-Jewish quiz rounds and enjoyed chatting over refreshments. The event was for people aged 30 -50, which worked well, and set an innovative tone for community life that Bushey will seek to continue.
Evaluation from Organiser Sarah Zackeim:
“We had not organised any programmes specifically targeted at this age group for a long time. Happily the event was a sell-out, as we think people liked the idea of it being in the pub and not in the shul. It has created a very positive vibe. We have brought some new people in, or at least made the first step to involving them in our community.”
Participant Feedback:
“It was great to come to something different, especially as someone who doesn’t come to Shul very often. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and location.”
“It was excellent. Well put together and included lots of new faces who were impressed with the warmth of the community. I am sure we will see them again.”
Comments Off on The Great Get Together comes to Muswell Hill
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Event
One year on from the tragic passing of MP Jo Cox, communities across the UK joined together for ‘The Great Get Together’ – a nationwide celebration of shared values spearheaded by the Jo Cox Foundation. Following a call to action by the Chief Rabbi, Muswell Hill Synagogue immediately began planning an ‘Open House’-style Shabbat morning that invited local neighbours into the Shul for tours and laid on a special street Kiddush for them to enjoy with members. It showed itself to be an exemplary model for interfaith programming.
Evaluation from Community Director Eli Gaventa:
“It was a very successful event and we will definitely be running it again next year! We wanted to foster community cohesion within Muswell Hill so we opened the Shul to around 20-30 local neighbours who all mingled, chatted and got to know members of the community. We demystified the synagogue for the local community, having Shul members lead them on tours.”
Participant Feedback:
“A unique and special event where members of the wider local community were welcomed to the Shul for lunch with the community.”
“It was a wonderful event and made me hugely proud to be part of such a welcoming community. A brilliant idea bringing everyone together. We were all still talking about it in the evening.”
“Really lovely and important for our community. The rabbi made everyone feel welcome and there was an inclusive and fun vibe which in these days of bad news was much needed. Thank you to CCE for supporting this important event.”
“A real achievement with a wonderful friendly atmosphere. You could see that interested local neighbours thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A great speech from the Rabbi, plenty of delicious food and Pimm’s helped too!”
Comments Off on Bristol hears from Raid on Entebbe Commando
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Event
In a promising start to their growing social events programming, the Bristol community hosted Major Rami Sherman, an IDF commando who was instrumental in ensuring the success of the historic mission to rescue hostages from Entebbe airport. He spoke captivatingly about his experiences at the event, which was held to mark both Pesach Sheni and Yom Yerushalayim and drew a crowd of all ages, both from within the shul and student communities.
Evaluation from Rabbi Singer:
“The event was an amazing success, making history in Bristol with a full hall that was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! People from across the region came to Bristol Synagogue, made new friends in the community and came away with an increased awareness of the community’s services and programming.”
Participant Feedback:
“This was a fantastic event and I am so glad I went. It was so interesting, I could listen to him again. Thank you very much for arranging this event and I look forward to more like this.”
“Loved it. Rami was really inspiring and I felt quite moved by his narrative, especially when he was describing the tragic death of Roni Netanyahu.”
“Brilliant. This was one of the most interesting talks I have ever attended. It was an honour to hear Rami recounting his experience of saving Jews held prisoner. He makes one proud to be a Jew.”
“I have come away with an even deeper respect for our brave brothers and sisters that have served and are currently serving the state of Israel. I hope we can have more speakers of this calibre.”
A full Shabbat experience was laid on for Radlett members at the Oxford Belfry Hotel, drawing glowing feedback from those involved. Participants were inspired to think more deeply about certain aspects of Judaism by various shiurim delivered across the weekend, while uplifting communal services and meals solidified a sense of unity. New friendships were made, old ones were strengthened and the general enthusiasm for keeping Shabbat was palpable.
Evaluation from Rabbi Hughes:
“The programme was unbelievably successful. It gave our participants inspiration and education in a fun and accessible way. Participants came away inspired, thrilled and enthused. Some people kept Shabbos for the first time in their lives and experienced an authentic, relevant and motivating orthodox retreat. A highly effective tool of engagement, which, if done well, can change stagnating Jewish lives for the better!”
Participant Feedback:
“This Shabbaton has excited us to try to observe Shabbat at home too. We will definitely be taking a more active role in our Judaism and in shul communal life.”
“It was fantastic – spiritually, culturally and socially uplifting and informative. A real boost to the community and its spirit.”
“There was a really good range of talks and activities – something for everyone. Rebbetzen Hughes was particularly effective in delivering her message and the weekend as a whole gave me a better understanding of elements of observance.”
Comments Off on Chief Rabbi and Valerie meet Syrian refugees with World Jewish Relief
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Last week, the Chief Rabbi and Valerie visited World Jewish Relief’s work in Yorkshire, meeting refugees to discuss the challenges of integration and their aspirations, as part of #RefugeeWeek.
The Chief Rabbi commented: “It is humbling to listen to the remarkable positivity of people who have endured such enormous upheaval, and yet refuse to allow this to define their future. I am tremendously proud of the generosity of our community, which is helping the refugees to meet their needs so impressively. The response of World Jewish Relief to the refugee crisis, a major challenge of our time, has been exemplary.”
Comments Off on Chief Rabbi and Valerie visits Zurich
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The Chief Rabbi and Valerie have just concluded a wonderful weekend with the Jewish Community of Zurich.
The Chief Rabbi delivered a sermon and gave a shiur to the Israelitische Cultusgemeinde Zurich (ICZ) community on Shabbat morning and addressed the Woolishofen minyan on Shabbat afternoon. On Sunday morning he was the guest speaker at the Noam School Scholarship Brunch where he shared thoughts on his visit to the school on Friday, when he and Valerie were deeply impressed by the outstanding levels of Kodesh and Hebrew tuition.
The Chief Rabbi congratulated Rabbi Noam Hertig and Emeritus Rabbi Marcel Ebel on their spiritual leadership of the community and left Zurich being deeply moved and inspired by the vitality of Jewish life there.
Comments Off on The Chief Rabbi’s statement following the Finsbury Park attack
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Following the devastating attack outside Finsbury Park Mosque, the Chief Rabbi released the following statement.
“It is heartbreaking to hear of yet another deadly attack on the streets of London, this time targeting Muslims who had been at prayer. This is a painful illustration of why we must never allow hatred to breed hatred. It creates a downward spiral of violence and terror with only further death and greater destruction.
As ever our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and may each of us resolve to respond to this latest tragedy with the same compassion and determination not to be divided, which has defined our society over recent months.”
This week, the Chief Rabbi had the great pleasure in partaking in two Iftar events, with the topic of interfaith dialogue high on the agenda.
On Tuesday evening, the Chief Rabbi was delighted to join the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Vincent Cardinal Nichols, for the Naz Legacy Foundation’s #InterfaithIftar at Archbishop’s House. Highlights from the wonderful event can be seen below.
For more pictures and feedback from the #InterfaithIftar, click here.
Following the successful event, on Sunday evening, the Chief Rabbi and Valerie hosted an Iftar in their home, in conjunction with the Great Get Together, an initiative established in the memory of the late Jo Cox, MP.
The Chief Rabbi commented: “Bearing in mind the devastation that hatred and division can cause, recent events in the UK have shown how crucially important it is for us to strengthen the bonds of warmth and friendship between communities and faiths. In this very spirit, Valerie and I were delighted to host an Iftar this week. The guests were all determined to emulate the words of the late Jo Cox MP, that there is far more which unites us than that which divides us. It was truly an unforgettable occasion.”
Comments Off on Valerie Mirvis invests in UK Rebbetzens with trip to Rome
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In a rare and invaluable opportunity for Rebbetzens based across the UK, 40 ladies travelled to Rome from as far afield as Cardiff, Newcastle and Liverpool to participate in a 2-day leadership development trip that aimed to supercharge British communities from the top down.
Above: Valerie Mirvis runs one of the three learning sessions held at the Renzo Levi Jewish school
At the top of the agenda was discussion of the competing roles incumbent upon the contemporary Rebbetzen, as one who is at once helping to lead a community, often juggling another job and raising a family. This was addressed by Rebbetzen Chaya Zimmerman of Gateshead in her session on the trials, tribulations and opportunities that emerge from being a role model.
‘At the top of the agenda was discussion of the competing roles incumbent upon the contemporary Rebbetzen’
Her’s was one of three focused learning sessions that took place in the Renzo Levi Jewish school on the Monday and was followed by a session by Valerie Mirvis, who drew upon the world of clinical supervision to discuss in detail the key elements of healthy working relationships. She highlighted the importance of mutual empathy and competence as being crucial to the systemic success of any community. Lastly, Rebbetzen Oser of the Hong Kong community gave a presentation focusing on consumerism, entitled ‘How to Want Less and Get More’.
‘Vital to this arrangement was the mutual understanding that ladies must be the recipients of empathy, as opposed to solely the givers’
The programme was punctuated by insights into Jewish community life in Rome, with Chief Rabbi Di Segni of Rome and President of the Federation of Italian Jewish communities, Noemi di Segni, pointing to a vibrant and committed community that endures despite the familiar forces of antisemitism and assimilation. Tours of the Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum led by local Jewish guide Sara Pavoncello provided ladies with a comprehensive history of life in the ghetto, while Rabbi Aubrey Hersh provided commentary throughout the trip on Jewish sites of historical interest.
The trip was rounded off with a visit to the Forum and the Colosseum.
Above: The Rebbetzens on the steps of the Great Synagogue during a guided tour around the ghetto area
Explaining the thinking behind the trip, Valerie Mirvis said: “As a city with a proud Jewish tradition that endures to this day, Rome was the perfect venue for the latest part of ‘Investing in Rebbetzens’. I am delighted that we were able to replicate the success of last year’s trip to Gibraltar and have great admiration for the hugely talented Rebbetzens, who have so impressed me with their enormous contribution to British Jewry.”
Rebbetzen Ilana Epstein of Cockfosters & N Southgate synagogue remarked on the benefits of the initiative, thanking “Valerie Mirvis and the whole OCR team for planning and implementing a trip that wasn’t just hugely inspirational but also great fun.” Tzipporah Sufrin, Rebbetzen of Enfield & Winchmore Hill highlighted the “high standard of the lectures and the small details that made [ladies] feel valued” as important benefits for her.
Comments Off on The Chief Rabbi’s statement following the London Attacks
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Following the devastating London Terror Attack on Saturday night, the Chief Rabbi released the following statement.
“In the wake of yet another attack, of more loss of life and of more families devastated by terror, every one of us will once again feel the now too familiar sense of horror and helplessness.
After Westminster and Manchester we stood together defiant. Yet it seems the terrorists believe that where they have previously failed to poison our communities, with their destructive ideology of hatred and prejudice, they can succeed with still more bloodshed and murder. But we must not let them.
We will not be cowed or intimidated nor will we allow our commitment to the values of peace and tolerance to be diminished. In the face of every attack, however devastating, we must continue to cleave ever closer to these values because ultimately they are what will defeat the evil of terror.”
