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Author Archives: Rachel Shababo

  1. Rami Sherman Shares His Story in Magen Avot

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    Operation Thunderbolt and the events in Entebbe are famous for their bravery and daring. As Opperations Officer for the rescue mission Rami Sherman has the deepest understanding of what truly happened that day and what it meant for Israel then, and now. His recent talk in Magen Avot was full, as the community gathered to hear his unique story, where he managed to find light in a challenging event. His message was one that could not be ignored, that we are all responsible for each other and we are strongest when we come together as a community.

    Evaluation from Event Organiser Shifra Shaerf:

    “The programme was excellent. The speaker was greatly inspiring and had the entire audience captivated for the duration of his presentation. The event, being outside of shul hours, contributed to a sense of cohesion and community amongst those who attended, and also provided an opportunity for those who are unable to attend shul regularly to socialise. Rami’s message of mutual responsibility and togetherness of the Jewish people was inspirational and contributed towards a greater sense of belonging to our community”.

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  2. Klezmer Comes to Solihull

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    The vibrant Solihull community gathered together for a Melave Malka, the meal straight after Shabbat ends that has special, spiritual significance. Solihull used the time to explore another Melave Malka tradition, singing and playing music to escort the Shabbat as it leaves. Klezmer was the music of choice, allowing the community to explore the sounds of traditional Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. The whole evening was an immersive experience that combined spirituality, tradition and music to create an inclusive and joyful atmosphere.

    Evaluation from Rabbi Pink:

    “This event attracted a very large crowd including many non members. It contributed to our ongoing aim of making the Shul a true community centre where everyone feels comfortable and promoted community cohesion and reinforced the feeling that one can come to a Shul event and have a great time”.

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  3. Bushey Travels to the East End for Enriching Shabbaton

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    Bushey members journeyed into the heart of London for a Shabbat amongst its historic surroundings. The Shabbat started with a candle lit davening and dinner in the awe-inspiring Bevis Marks shul. On Shabbat day the community davened at Sandys Row Synagogue and had lunch with the members there. There was also a walking tour of the historically rich area, including a visit to the site where Great Synagogue used to be.

    Evaluation from Rabbi Feldman:

    “The East End Shabbat has three aims: to twin with the wonderful Sandys Row community and share an uplifting Shabbat with them. Secondly to give an experiential Shabbat experience in new and engaging surroundings. Finally to build community spirit and give chizuk to one another. All three were fully achieved”.

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  4. Luton Explores the Stars

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    Luton members gathered on a Sunday afternoon to learn about a topic that often seems far, far away. ‘The stars and how they affect your personality’ was the theme of the talk, given by Sara Osdoba who has a certificate in Professional Coaching and Focused Counselling Skills. Sara gave a talk deeply rooted in Torah thought and its approaches to star signs and the belief that they can affect, and therefore be used to enhance, our personalities. She also delved into the four elements of Fire, Wind, Earth and Water and talked about how we can look at their strengths and weaknesses and interpret our own personalities through them and see how different aspects can work together and form relationships.

    Evaluation from Rebbetzen Schwei:

    “The lunch and speaker was a social that attracted members and non-members. People were very interested to hear the Jewish view of the stars and their connection our personality and relationships. It turned out to be rather therapeutic for many as the speaker is also a counsellor and illustrated her talk with many real life scenarios which people related to. No one was in a rush to leave even after the long presentation which always tells me that they are enjoying themselves”.

    Participant Feedback:

    • ‘I enjoyed the event and found the ideas informative and learned how earth, fire, air and water are connected to the Torah’.
    • ‘It was interesting to cover the topic of birthday-related characteristics and to explore how it affects our lives’.

  5. Stanmore Learns to Sculpt for an Ice Cool Chanukah Event

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    Kids and adults alike were excited with the ice sculpting activity in Stanmore shul. Each group recieved a big block of ice to carve away at, learning new skills in order to uncover their masterpeice. There was also some warmer arts and crafts for those too young to hold a chisel, or too cold! The grand finale was the lighting of a giant ice menorah, carved by the ice sculpting masters themselves. It was a heart-warming event despite the ice and a unique activity enjoyed by all!

    Evaluation from Rabbi Daniel Fine:

    “There was lots of energy and it was a fun event, a chance to meet new people and menorah lighting at the end”.

    Participant Feedback:

    • ‘Really fun and challenging. Really forced my daughter to use lots of skills to work as a team and create something. Plus she got to play with ice’!
    • ‘Our community engaged in this event and it was nice to see faces I didn’t even know were members of Stanmore’.

     

     

     

  6. A New Look for the New Year in Solihull

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    Solihull combined several programmes in the lead up to Rosh Hashana to ensure top levels of inspiration and engagement were achieved. Starting with a community Challah bake to get everyone in the Yom Tov mood for a fresh and sweet year. There was also a pre Rosh Hashana honey cake distribution to ensure that everyone in the area could have a taste of sweetness. The shul then gathered on Yom Tov and had a wonderful Chazzan Sheini with them in order that the services could run as smoothly as possible and create a beautiful and uplifting atmosphere.

    Evaluation from Rabbi Yehuda Pink:

    “We were able to attract people who had never been to Shul before and increase the engagement of those who had. Starting with the Challah Bake and pre Yom Tov Honey Cake distribution and culminating with the Chazanim and commentary we exceeded expectations. Thank you to CCE for your support. It means so much to a tiny community and has really allowed us to aim high at this special time of the year”.

    Participant Feedback:

    • ‘This was my first time ever coming to a Jewish Event. I went to the Challah Bake and the Rabbi’s wife persuaded me to come to Synagogue for the New Year. It was a very moving experience. The singing was amazing and the Rabbi’s commentary made it very meaningful and easy to follow even though I have never been to a Synagogue before’.
    • ‘Rabbi Pink provided lots of info and this helped the service to fly by. Thought provoking and fulfilling Always finding something different to learn and ponder over’.

  7. Whitefield’s Girls Become Jewish Women After Their Grand Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

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    Whitefield shul hosted a special evening to celebrate the culmination of a year’s worth of dedicated monthly Bat Mitzvah activities. Each girl learned about her Parsha and shared an idea with the audience at the ceremony. The participants also took on a mitzvah close to their heart and designed elegant acrylic boards of the prayer to hang by their beds in the lead up to the ceremony. After their speeches, each girl received a piece of Jewellery and enjoyed a celebratory dinner in the beautifully and specially decorated hall. It was a very special occasion for the girls who without this programme would have little connection to their Shul.

    Evaluation from Youth Director Mychiel Balshine:

    “The ceremony provided the girls with a very special and meaningful way of celebrating their Bat Mitzvah. The event certainly created a very positive feel that girls are not ignored and are provided for. The girls gained a fun experience in an educational Shul environment.”

    Participant Feedback:

    • ‘We thought that it was great, so meaningful and rewarding. There were so many different events and it enabled our daughter to pay much closer attention to her faith’.

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    • ‘It was great. My daughter enjoyed every minute of it, she looked forward to all the events and the ceremony really completed that ‘.

  8. Kenton Dive Deep into Jewish History During a Visit to Cambridge’s Cairo Genizah

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    Kenton’s trip to the Cairo Genizah was a beautiful way to explore ancient Jewish history and gain an insight into how Jewish people lived their lives 900 years ago. A Genizah is where synagogues store their written items before they dispose of them and this catalogue of letters and significant written scraps, create a picture of life from years ago. It also allowed the community to understand more about the life of Maimonides (Rambam). The visit commenced with a talk by Dr Schmierer-Lee on the collection’s history and significance. The remainder of the time in the Genizah was spent viewing items on display. Everyone then went on a walking tour of Cambridge, taking in the beautiful architecture and enjoying the day out together as a community.

    Evaluation from Vice-Chair Roy Block:

    “The Genizah visit educated us about 900 years of life in Cairo including actual handwriting by Maimonides. The coach trip and walking tour of Cambridge was very communal and encouraged members to engage with new people. It showed that life in the Kenton community is very vibrant. It was good that non-shul attendees enjoyed the trip”.

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  9. Singers Hill Visit Bournemouth for an Uplifiting Shabbaton

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    This exciting shabbaton took the community from Singers Hill down to Bournemouth in order to spend a Shabbat with new faces in a new environment. The change of scenery not only made for a wonderful setting but also allowed for a truly immersive Shabbat, with members fully engaged in the spirit of the day. Joining with the Bournemouth community, again allowed for a wonderful atmosphere, as the participants of all ages relaxed together and spent quality time with each other on this precious day. The meals were a highlight, as was the vibrant Q and A that was enjoyed by all.

    Evaluation from Rabbi Yossi Jacobs:

    “Seeing the unity of people spending time together whilst observing Shabbat together was amazing. Seeing everyone walking to Shul together and seeing people interact who are not normally friendly with each other was really special. The shabbaton gave the community the chance to spend time together in a way they normally do not have the chance to do”.

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  10. Outstanding Israeli Scholars in Alei Tzion over Shabbat Shavuot

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    Alei Tzion invited two phenomenal speakers for Shabbat Shavuot. Dr Ziegler is a high-level lecturer and author in Tanach in Israel and the community was delighted to host her in London. Rav Bazak is a renowned teacher and was a wonderful keynote speaker at Alei Tzion’s tikkun leil event. They collaborated with other shuls and organisations to maximise the impact Dr Zeigler could have on the local community. The community also collaborated with Mizrachi and Bnei Akiva for a Yom Yerushalayim breakfast with Dr Ziegler on the Sunday. This programme’s aims was to reaffirm a connection with Israel through having an exceptional example of a religious Zionist speak to them and attract new members with outstanding educational content.

    Evaluation from Yehudit Bauernfreund:

    “Both speakers provided high level Torah education and were received really well in the community; both within our shul and the wider community. All shiurim given by the scholars were well attended. The feedback for Dr Zeigler was that people found her inspiring and her Tanach interpretations insightful. The feedback for Rav Bazak was that he was warm and engaging and his Hebrew shiur was a highlight”. 

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