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Author Archives: Mark Frazer

  1. The Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of Canterbury launch the ‘In Good Faith’ Initiative

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    On Monday 14th November, the ‘In Good Faith’ initiative was launched at Lambeth Palace.

    More than seventy Rabbis and Priests from around the UK have gathered in London for an historic day of dialogue.

    “In Good Faith” was created by the Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of Canterbury not only as a catalyst for cultivating better engagement between Jewish and Anglican religious leaders but also as a way of providing better opportunities for interfaith activity at grass roots level.

    In his opening remarks, the Chief Rabbi emphasised the importance of follow up: “The most important part of today is tomorrow. It is what will result as a consequence of our collaboration. Therefore I give this challenge to you: don’t just reflect in the future on what a lovely day this was in Lambeth Palace. The strength of what we are doing . . . is to encourage us all to work together … to guarantee that the outstanding relationships that we have at leadership level will trickle down to the grassroots within our communities, so that indeed as faith leaders, we will make a change in this challenging world of ours.

    The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said, “It is in the everyday conversations, the grassroots initiatives and the building of local bridges between Christians and Jews, our synagogues and churches, that we will see real change and the hope for a divided world and nation”.
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    Throughout the day, the Rabbis and Priests engaged in group discussions dealing with a number of pressing issues. Topics included a discussion on combating religious extremism, the challenge of creating and sustaining thriving faith communities, the Holy Land and its implications for inter-religious relations, while there was also a reflection on the opportunities that existed, within both faiths, to contribute to the common good together.

     

  2. ShabbatUK @Ahavas Yisrael

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    Event

    One of Edgware’s youngest communities certainly created a memorable ShabbatUK programme with an array of unique events and activities throughout the weekend. Their Challah Make brought together two different communities as members joined Langdon service users to knead challah, while a new spin was put on Friday Night proceedings with the ‘Shots & Sushi’ Kiddush that followed the upbeat Carlebach service. Langdon residents came back for a musical Melava Malka with a thoroughly British twist – a Fish ‘N’ Chips supper!

    Objectives

    • To bring together our kehilla on Friday night with a special service and Kiddush marking the uniqueness of Shabbat UK
    • To hold a Melaveh Malka to bring in new people with a supper and evening of musical entertainment
    • To join in the Shabbat UK events to further enhance our connection with the US family
    • To bring Shabbat UK to the Langdon community with a Challah bake held jointly with Brady Club

    Evaluation from Annette Koslover

    “We made multi-coloured rainbow challah at our Challah Make, a fun and stimulating activity which perfectly suited Brady Club attendees and Ahavas Yisrael ladies and girls. It was a moving, unique and uplifting event. It was great to see children, parents, ladies and visitors who don’t regularly attend Friday night services at our Carlebach Friday Night service, which was incredibly uplifting. Our events enhanced the connection between Ahavas Yisrael and Langdon, where our Shabbat services are held. They demonstrated to the wider community our ethos of inclusion, warmth and hospitality.”

    Participant Feedback

    • I thought both events were excellent. The entertainment was really excellent from Chazan Caplan’s singing to Yossi Fachler’s amusing Dvar Torah which still managed to carry good messages with it
    • I really enjoyed the Challah Make. I have never made Challah in such a friendly and welcoming environment. The Musical Melava Malka was a lovely way to connect with the community through music and singing
    • It was great and made a real change. It was very busy and a real family atmosphere which is something different on a Friday Night
    • Lovely atmosphere at a cross-communal, multigenerational event that attracted a range of people. The Dvar Torah presentations were just the right style and length and it was a great idea. It was all so enjoyable

  3. ShabbatUK @ Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue

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    Inspiring the youngest contingent of the shul membership was a recurring theme of HGSS’ ShabbatUK bonanza, which featured a huge marquee decked out as Abraham and Sarah’s tent, world-class speakers and manifold communal meals that buzzed with ruach. An energetic Youth Friday Night Dinner that offered a programme of fun activities attracted over 100 people, while hundreds flocked to the adult Friday Night and various Challah Makes.

    Objectives

    To make use of existing structures to integrate Shabbat UK activity into everyday shul activity

    To engage the youth in a more meaningful way during Friday night, to be continued through the youth directors and madrichim

    To create the Abraham’s Tent theme in the hope it will be a great springboard for more involvement in children’s services, BA and Tribe

    Evaluation from Carolyn Bogush

    “Approximately 42 family groupings attended the Children’s Challah Make as part of the Shabbat UK programme. It was an inspiring event – full of enthusiasm, energy and fun.  In addition, 101 youth attended Friday night dinner which was a huge success with positive feedback from the youth about being involved with Shabbat UK”

    Participant Feedback

    • We found both the Friday Night and Havdalah joyful, inspiring and truly communal. My wife wants to attend shul every Friday night and do more at Havdalah
    • What impressed me most was the wonderful atmosphere that filled the hall and it was delightful just to be there, and for those who missed out, they missed out big time
    • There is no doubt that our Rabbinic team are second to none; they carry the community spirit that is promoted by the Chief through the whole year, and it culminates with 600 members attending ShabbatUK
    • I loved the Challah Make – it was very smoothly organised with a good variety of activities to keep us occupied whilst we waited for the dough to raise and clear instructions. Thank you to all the organisers

  4. ShabbatUK @Yeshurun Manchester

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    Yeshurun had planned for a bigger ShabbatUK than ever, but it was even more popular than they expected, with the hired marquee having to be twice extended to accommodate all the punters. Young people made up almost a quarter of the 460 people who enjoyed a ruach-filled Friday Night dinner, while 200 people rocked up on Shabbat afternoon for novel, educational activity ‘The Trial’, plus desserts to round off the lunches that members had enjoyed in different local homes. The warmth displayed between generations and the palpable community spirit was reportedly unparalleled.

    Objectives

    To reach out to those members who do not normally participate in communal activities or fully celebrate Shabbat

    To accommodate larger numbers by erecting a marquee in the shul grounds

    To attract many local Israeli families and other young families living nearby who are not yet Yeshurun members, as well as those existing members who will always support events

    To put on a Shabbat programme that will incorporate social, religious and education elements, as well as a lot of fun

    Evaluation from Rabbi Atlas:

    “Our aim to make this a large Shabbat event with a true Shabbat ruach went beyond our expectations. Many non-members and young families in the area attended and were warmly welcomed. This event is being talked about across Manchester. Our members have been amazed at the size of the event and the wonderful organisation that made it such a success. Our members are proud to be part of Yeshurun. It has been seen as Yeshurun’s finest event to date.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • There was a very warm sense of community. It was great to see rare shul attendees being made welcome
    • An absolutely brilliant evening. I am full of admiration for everybody involved in the organisation
    • Friday Night Dinner was out of this world. Amazing organisation for so many people with wonderful food and delightful entertainment. An absolute credit to all involved
    • The whole weekend has given me a very positive feeling about the future of our community

  5. ShabbatUK @Northwood

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    ShabbatUK in Northwood was a truly intergenerational event with a brilliant atmosphere and more participants than ever, as members flocked to enjoy explanatory services, communal meals and the scholarly input of both Rabbi Zerbib and visiting Rabbi Shisler, who spoke about the topic du jour, Shabbat! The Mayor of Hillingdon had such an enjoyable time at Friday Night, that he secured himself an invite to Rabbi Zerbib’s induction.

    Objectives

    To reach out to the local community and make our presence known by inviting the Mayor of Hillingdon to Friday Night

    To attract as many people to Shabbat services as possible, with a view to increasing attendance in the future

    To provide high-quality talks that provoke thinking about Shabbat

    Evaluation from David Davis:

    “Our Friday Night met our objectives on all accounts. We reached out to the local community successfully, we had a good mix of ages across our community, we created a great atmosphere for the service and our Friday Night meal that ran into Shabbat day with explanations as to certain prayers, a big Kiddush, afternoon quiz, Seudah Shlishit and Havdalah. This all played a part in facilitating community bonding.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • We definitely feel even closer to our friends in the community, and now have an even greater reverence for our great rabbi and his wife
    • We seem to have a full social diary at our shul thanks to the Chief Rabbi’s initiatives which helps us offset certain costs, so that we can organise more events
    • ShabbatUK at Northwood gave me a real sense of community spirit and a better relationship with all age groups within the community
    • There was a great community spirit and sense of closeness from challah baking right through to Kiddush lunch

  6. ShabbatUK @Sutton

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    Community members jumped at an opportunity to establish stronger bonds with other local Jews at Sutton Shul’s well-attended ShabbatUK Friday night service and dinner. A warm, welcoming atmosphere ensured that everyone was relaxed at the traditional dinner, which allowed everyone to experience its customs in full. Rebbetzen Tali Sagal was the evening speaker by popular demand, and discussed her Judaism, her role as a Rebbetzen and how her return to Medical studies has expanded her perspective on Jewish issues.

    Objectives

    To bring the community together for a joyous, educational and unifying event where the beauty of Shabbat will be experienced in a way not usually so for many of those present

    Evaluation from Rabbi Sagal:

    “This was the highest profile ShabbatUK that Sutton has yet undertaken and it was met with much enthusiasm by the community. We were practically at full capacity for this communal Friday night meal, which was preceded by a much fuller than usual Friday night service. The atmosphere was a warm and lively one, with people who may otherwise not socialise with one another often seated together. It was an evening of fun, friends and re-familiarisation with the beauty of Shabbat – people were asking when the next such event would be!”

    Participant Feedback

  7. ShabbatUK @MuswellHill

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    The Muswell Hill community welcomed service users from the special needs charity Kisharon, along with their families and carers, to partake in their full ShabbatUK programme, which attracted 230 participants. This begun early in the week with a ‘Challah Bake Off’, and continued into Shabbat with a Friday Night Candle Lighting followed by a special Chicken Soup Kiddush, and a communal lunch, seudah and musical Havdalah the following day. Muswell Hill members worked closely with Kisharon staff in advance of the event to better understand and accommodate their guests’ needs, and talks throughout the weekend aimed to raised awareness about the spectrum of special needs within the wider community.

    Objectives

    To build upon Muswell Hill’s long-term project of increased inclusivity within the community and synagogue space

    To build a model of partnership with Kisharon that could be used in the future with different charities

    To involve the whole community in this inspirational event

    Evaluation from Eli Gaventa:

    “Our ShabbatUK program was both successful and impactful for the community. Our stated aims were threefold (above). The first was achieved by hosting a number of adult Kisharon service users and raising awareness about special needs through conversations with them and a number of themed speeches. The second by working closely with Kisharon staff and volunteers, so that at every critical point Kisharon staff knew which shul members could assist with what issues. With 230 people attending across the weekend in addition to youth and child programming, it is clear that we succeeded in engaging a wide cross-section of the community in ShabbatUK.”

    Participant Feedback

  8. ShabbatUK @Kenton

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    ShabbatUK at Kenton comprised a good balance of learning and socialising, thanks to the contributions of guest speaker Rabbi Michael Pollak, who was warmly received, and the communal lunch that brought members together. Rabbi Pollak led a learning session on Friday night in Rabbi Black’s home, and imparted his knowledge further at a Shabbat Kodesh programme that followed Shabbat morning prayers, and then again in the afternoon. Participants saw out Shabbat with an upbeat musical Havdalah.

    Objectives

    To have a truly communal Shabbat, and include members and maybe non-members who attend infrequently

    Evaluation from Irene Leeman:

    “We had a wonderful scholar in residence in Rabbi Michael Pollak, and we had a wonderful Shabbat ruach with Zemirot at meals, led by our own Rabbi Black and members of the community. The good mixture of learning, relaxing and resting well over Shabbat maintained a Shabbat atmosphere and the sense of a united community. Attendees enjoyed listening to our speaker so much that they would like to invite him back – maybe a learning series could be on the cards.”

    Participant Feedback

  9. ShabbatUK @Redbridge

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    Participants in Redbridge’s ShabbatUK Friday night service and Young Families dinner were left wanting more as they expressed a desire to come back for more Kabbalat Shabbatot. The next day saw a full ShabbatUK schedule, as the scholar-in-residence Joel Sager – Headteacher of Pardes House Primary School – led a discussion at the Cholent Kiddush and local MP Wes Streeting came to discuss local issues after an upbeat and sociable communal lunch. Almost 40 people stayed on for Mincha and the Seuda Shlishit, rounding off their full Shabbat experience with quirky Havdalah led by Joel.

    Objectives

    To bring young families together for a flagship Shabbat event to give them a real Shabbat and family experience

    To help kick-start an ongoing programme with this age group

    Evaluation from Mike Callaghan:

    “The Shabbat UK banner was hung right across the front of the Shul so that everyone realised what the occasion was. The Friday night meal in particular was a great success, this being the first one for many years, and from the feedback we feel that it should be a more regular event.  We showed the community that keeping Shabbat could be interesting and fun, and that they could enjoy a day of learning, singing, eating and relaxing in good company. We definitely want to do this type of thing on other occasions besides Shabbat and it has given us something to build on.”
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  10. ShabbatUK @Kinloss

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    ShabbatUK at Kinloss was a huge grassroots affair, with over 100 volunteers from affiliated and less affiliated backgrounds giving of their time to help produce a jam-packed, unforgettable programme that included a Challah Make, a Chulent Fest, a musical Kabbalat Shabbat, communal meals featuring world-class speakers and a huge Havdallah party. Over from Israel to ramp up the ruach was acapella group Kippa Live, who attracted so many people to the Kabbalat Shabbat that the Kiddush space had to be expanded. Over 2,000 attended across the weekend, with everyone taking away with a positive Shabbat experience.

    Objectives

    To provide a ‘Something for Everyone’ Shabbat UK activity led and driven by grass roots communal activity

    To provide a Shabbat experience which will attract regular members and those who do not often engage with the shul

    To bring the community together in a way that demonstrates what can be achieved when we connect together
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    To provide opportunities for Chesed throughout the week of Shabbat UK and engage with members to continue with this commitment throughout the year

    Evaluation from Fleurise Lewis:

    “The ambition to create an inclusive, engaging and inspiring Shabbat experience approach has certainly been realised and now volunteers can now look to the ‘what next’ in order to continue the momentum. Many of the people who attended over the course of the week do not regularly attend Kinloss activities and more than 130 volunteered on the various teams overall. This is a tremendous achievement!”