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Author Archives: Mark Frazer

  1. Solihull’s ‘Purim in a Box’ project brings joy to community

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    Smiles were brought to the faces of elderly and housebound Jews living in and around Solihull as Rabbi and Rebbetzen Pink, together with a group of volunteers, packed up full Purim meals and hand-delivered them. This format had already proved itself to be a highly successful charitable format, with similar boxes being delivered for festivals last year.

    Evaluation from Rabbi Pink:

    “Purim in a Box encouraged people to volunteer their time to help others and enabled those who wouldn’t have been able to celebrate Purim to do so. One recipient lived in a small village miles from anywhere. The look of delight on his face when we turned up with the Purim Parcel made the effort worthwhile”

    Feedback from parcel recipient:

    • “I was really feeling down when the doorbell rang and there was the Rebbetzen with a delicious meal. I was laughing and crying from joy at the same time. Feeling Purim even though I couldn’t get out. Thank you to the Chief Rabbi for his amazing fund that allows our tiny shul to do so much good work”

  2. Community and Carnival at Borehamwood’s Purim Extravaganza

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    It was all systems go at Borehamwood & Elstree United as Purim games, food and activities took place across the shul site (and beyond) for all sections of the community. The congregation packed in to hear the Megillah before enjoying a full breakfast spread and a festive carnival where all costumes great and small were on display. There was a relaxed, sociable atmosphere as people enjoyed Purim with their friends and families and connected with new people.

    Evaluation from Organiser:

    “The breakfast and carnival which the CCE helped us fund was an outstanding success! Everyone of all levels of religiosity had a wonderful time.” 

    Participant Feedback:

    • “Such a great community event especially for the children. Makes me more willing to attend future events”
    • “If not for this event, my family and I wouldn’t have celebrated Purim”
    • “Everyone was having fun and it was targeted just right. Having a space to socialise and meet other members of the community was lovely. It seemed the event appealed to everyone”
    • “It was a lovely event, with lots to do for a huge number of people”

  3. Enfield’s Purim at the British Museum

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    Enfield members had a one-of-a-kind immersive festive experience as they enjoyed a sociable and educational Purim-themed visit to the British Museum. They experienced an onsite Megillah reading in a private room, complete with fancy dress and exotic headgear, before being led by Dr Raphi Zarum on a tour of ancient Persian artefacts as he set the scene for the Purim story. A special Seudah and the giving of Mishloach Manot also featured during the memorable day.

    Objectives

    To extend Purim celebrations to include the morning activities in an enjoyable, exciting, informative and educational way

    To bring the WOW factor to this festival and show that knowledge is power

    Evaluation from Rebbetzen Sufrin:

    ‘The programme was outstanding in every way, it superseded my high expectations. Out of the group of 30, there was just 1 person who would have made the effort to hear the megillah that morning. The megillah reading was very good, the food was excellent and the tour with Dr Zarum was outstanding. The participants were blown away by the entire event and mesmerised by Dr Zarum’s tour’

    Participant Feedback:

    • I gained a bit more knowledge about Persia and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon
    • It was quite exceptional. Well beyond my wildest expectations. It was educational, but also social.  I have never experienced a Purim like this before.  We are so lucky to have Mrs. Tzipporah Sufrin to arrange all this
    • A fantastic speaker who brought the Purim story alive. I was very happy to see the link with history and the reality of the Megillah unroll in front of me
    • Fantastic. Well organized and it was amazing to hear the Megillah read at the British Museum.  Our Rebbetzen did a wonderful job organising everything

  4. Bollywood Purim at Watford United

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    Purim at Watford had a Bollywood flavour as Bangra dancers were hired to teach members, many of whom had come dressed in traditional saris and tunics for the occasion, how to dance like professionals. There were even more in attendance than had been expected for the programme of activities, which included Megillah readings, children’s activities downstairs, a full Indian meal and Misloach Manot parcels for all the children. The event was hugely popular among participants, who said it was like no party they had attended before.

    Objectives

    To bring people in and ensure they have a Purim in the shul to remember

    To attract those who may not otherwise attend shul on Purim

    To attract those who may have been floating and looking around for their Purim celebrations

    Evaluation from Rabbi Levine:

    ‘The purpose of bringing in the Bollywood dancers was to add a new element to Purim that hadn’t been done before, in order to attract people who wouldn’t otherwise have attended. From this point of view, the event was a success. The event brought a real sense of togetherness and enjoyment on Purim day. The CCE sponsorship allowed us to bring in the dancers, who brought such a unique and special element to the overall celebration that I cannot imagine it being such much fun without it!’

    Participant Feedback:

    • Absolutely amazing, it was a  very creative idea to bring in professional dancers. We had the best time and couldn’t walk anymore afterwards! Thank you to the Rabbi and Rebbetzen for organising
    • There were two Megillah readings in the morning followed by the best Purim Party I have been to in years. Everything was so well arranged and a great deal of work must have gone into it
    • Fantastic event, loved (!!!!) the Bollywood dancing organised by the Rabbi, really brought so much joy. Thank you so much for making it special and memorable. As an Israeli it truly felt like home
    • A great day celebrating Purim with Bollywood dancers, great costumes, good food, a magician for the children and heaps of fun. Watford Shul at its best!
    • It was absolutely amazing and such great fun!!!!!! It felt like I was in Israel again and I have missed that feeling so much!! Thanks so much for your kind donation to help us make the mitzvah of been happy on Purim
    • I thought it was excellent, very well run and great addition with the Bollywood dancers!

  5. Entebbe speaker visits Singers Hill

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    Members of Birmingham Hebrew Congregation were treated to an especially interesting and dynamic talk in the form of Rami Sherman, an IDF Commando who helped launch a raid on Entebbe airport in 1976 to save hostages taken from a plane hijacked by the Palestine Liberation Organisation. Rami spoke at length about the dramatic rescue mission, with attendees saying that they were captivated by his account and enjoyed his at times humorous delivery style.

    Objectives

    To bring people together and inspire them

    Evaluation from Rabbi Jacobs:

    ‘The speaker was outstanding. Because of the low price we had an outstanding attendance, and although we only expected 50 over 100 turned up. It brought a unity and a shared pride in Israel, and from a religious point of view it was fascinating to hear a kibbutznik’s story of how he found G-d.’

    Participant Feedback:

    • Rami held our attention for over two hours. A serious subject interspersed with humour on Rami’s part
    • Inspirational speaker who spoke for over two hours. You could hear a pin drop, his story was mesmerising
    • His knowledge of events, his self-deprecation, and the sheer drama that he was describing meant that for over 2 hours he held the hall spellbound
    • An absolutely inspiring speaker who held everyone’s attention for two hours, a very hard act for anyone to follow!

  6. Twinning: South Manchester & Southport Shabbaton

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    The small community of Southport received a huge boost when a visiting party of South Manchester members came to spend Shabbat with them. Many of the South Manchester group were ex-Southport members, so enjoyed a trip down memory lane, and in general the communal services and meals benefitted from an uplifting and social atmosphere that continued throughout a weekend of activities organised by Rabbi and Rebbetzen Lewis. Various shiurim were delivered throughout the weekend and a rousing Havdalah service concluded the Shabbat experience.

    Objectives

    To support the Chief Rabbi’s “Twinning Project”

    To boost the morale of the dwindling community in Southport and provide them with their first Shabbaton in over 25 years

    To encourage a greater understanding in the Bowdon members of the trials and tribulations of a small provincial community

    To create a full Shabbat programme for the Bowdon community to use as a springboard for the ShabbatUK

    Evaluation from Adrian Fletcher, President of Southport:

    ‘On a normal Shabbat we rarely get a minyan on Friday evening and recently we have struggled on Shabbat morning. Last weekend we had over 40 men, 30 ladies and 7 children. It was wonderful, we had to open up our beautiful big shul and the atmosphere was exceptional.  The meals Rabbi and Rebbetzen Lewis  prepared for attendees was excellent, the sermon, D’var Torah and the spirit of Shabbat they instilled was a great pleasure for us all. It was a real treat to get a glimpse of how the shul used to feel in our heyday’

    Evaluation from Rabbi Lewis and David Kennedy, President of South Manchester:

    ‘This event fulfilled the Chief Rabbi’s brief to ‘twin’ with a smaller community. We enabled Southport Shul to hold a full Shabbaton – something which they have not done in decades. It also reinvigorated those members still left in Southport and hopefully gave them a sense of youth and vitality. Two younger families with children fully participated and now want to be more involved in Communal matters’

    Participant Feedback:

    • It was superb, I loved the “ruach”. Southport’s community may be dwindling but our Shul and community are amazing. Thank you sincerely for YOUR support also – Southport member
    • Lovely to see so many people and children in our Shul. Made new friends and caught up with old ones – Southport member
    • There was a very good turnout from Southport (and South Manchester) members and it gave us a sense of strength and unity – Southport member
    • We left Southport in 2000 to settle in South Manchester. As Southport is now a dwindling community with a beautiful Shul we felt it was our duty to give support and encouragement to the them. It was also full of nostalgia – South Manchester members
    • I really enjoyed the Shabbaton and felt culturally and spiritually enriched – South Manchester member
    • I gained an insight into how a dedicated group of people continue to ensure that Orthodox Judaism continues in a town which once boasted in excess of some 4000 Jews. I also gained some further knowledge from Rabbi Dovid’s shiurim, as well as the sheer joy of camaraderie – South Manchester member 

  7. ShabbatUK @Woodside Park

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    Woodside Park’s ShabbatUK was a total triumph, attracting 400 people to stay at shul throughout the course of Shabbat day and attuning them to the many benefits of Shabbat observance – made all the easier by the launch of the new Eruv. Participants learnt more about Shabbat, right through from the Challah Make, to the Kabbalat Shabbat programme for which adults left work early, to the communal lunch and giant Havdalah ceremony that rounded off proceedings. A group of Israeli war veterans were special guests at the Shabbat table, where they shared their experiences.

    Objectives

    To share the beauty of Shabbat and Judaism

    To feel a sense of belonging within our community, demonstrating compassion for others

    To ensure as many members as possible were engaged and involved in some way with WPS ShabbatUK programmes

    To have members accept the WPS Shabbat UK challenge of doing one more special thing from a list of options for that particular Shabbat

    Evaluation from Rabbi Hackenbroch:

    “We surpassed our expectations with the hundreds that attended our programmes both before, during, and after Shabbat. Through these communal celebrations and events, the sense of community was strengthened. The programme was a resounding success in reaching out to a broad cross-section of our community to engage and observe Shabbat to a greater degree. Several families have already expressed a wish to deepen their commitment and engagement with Shabbat and involvement in our community.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and felt there was something for everyone. My 9-year old was very positive about the experience
    • It was fantastic! The food was great, the atmosphere was amazing and so much hard work obviously went into this. It was amazing to see so many people enjoying Shabbat together
    • Wow! Wow! Wow! I take my hat off to the organisers especially those in charge of the catering

  8. ShabbatUK 2016

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    ShabbatUK 2016 might have come and gone but the effects of this wonderful weekend will be long-lasting.

    Over the weekend of the 11th/12th November, British Jewry came together to celebrate the third annual ShabbatUK. Thousands of people across the country participated in their community’s Great Challah Makes, lit Shabbat Candles together as part of ‘The Great Friday Night Light’ initiative, and enjoyed the Shabbat festivities together with their families.

    The fun wasn’t just restricted to Shabbat Day. On Tuesday 8th November, there was a special ‘Kabbalat Shabbat School Event’ arranged at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Edmonton. The event bought together over 1400 Primary School children, from 20 different schools, for a morning full of song, dance and snacks. All of the children present gave the Chief Rabbi a rapturous welcome and returned his greetings of “ShabbatUK Shalom”.

    This year, for the very first time, there were two specially commissioned ShabbatUK Buses which traveled across London, Leeds and Manchester, visiting a number of schools, Synagogues and high streets in the process. The Bus was packed with ShabbatUK merchandise which was distributed to all of its visitors.

    The Chief Rabbi said afterwards: “Reports that we are receiving from around the country are of the largest and most inspiring ShabbatUK yet. Record numbers of people kept and shared Shabbat with their families, friends and communities at events which were ambitious and more impactful than ever before. The beauty of Shabbat is that it returns every seven days to recharge and re-energize. So there’s no need to wait until the next ShabbatUK to enjoy it again!”

    See the ShabbatUK 2016 Highlights Reel for a glimpse of the action. You can go to the ShabbatUK website for more information and photos from what was a fantastic weekend.

  9. Chief Rabbi joins thousands at Limmud 2016

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    On Monday 26th December, the Chief Rabbi joined 3,000 other participants at Pendigo Lake, Birmingham, for the Limmud Conference 2016, where he met with participants and spoke at two sessions.

    In a twist on the classic format, the Chief Rabbi presented his ‘Desert Island Picks’, where he explained what he would take with him for inspiration and motivation, should he be cast away alone on a desert island.

    This was followed by a second presentation, titled, ‘Inward or Outward? Judaism in our divided world’. During his talk, the Chief Rabbi spoke of the need to “follow the golden path of moderation, seek peace and unity and ultimately bring harmony on earth”.

    Beyond his participation in the formal activities of the day, the Chief Rabbi was pleased to take advantage of the informal breaks in the schedule and joined a number of Limmud volunteers for lunch.

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    The Chief Rabbi ended the day by leading a Communal Candle Lighting for young children in honour of the 3rd night of Chanukah.

    You can see photos of the Chief Rabbi’s time at Limmud 2016 below.

  10. The Chief Rabbi’s Ben Azzai Programme 2016-17

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    On Wednesday 28th December 2016, 16 outstanding university students travelled to Mumbai for an immersive and extraordinary study trip to better understand the Jewish response to extreme poverty, as part of the Chief Rabbi’s Ben Azzai Programme.

    During the trip, the participants saw for themselves the challenges of a society in which access to education, shelter and nutritious food are often considered a privilege and not a right. They had the opportunity to meet with a number of individuals and aid organisations and have accepted upon themselves the responsibility to now share with their peers and their community what they saw.

    Ahead of the trip, two of the participants, Eli Baigel and Mikey Lebrett, wrote pieces in the Jewish Chronicle and The Times of Israel, respectively, offering some brief reflections about what they were expecting from the trip. You can access Eli’s piece here and read Mikey’s Blog here.

    Watch the video below for further insight into the programme.

     

    You can also read about the remarkable experience of some of the students who participated in the Programme, in an interview conducted by The Times of Israel. Click here to read the full interview.

    For more about the participants’ activities whilst they were in Mumbai, you can like ‘The Ben Azzai Programme’ (@BenAzzai) page on Facebook or follow @Ben_Azzai on Twitter.