SHALOM NEW NORTH LONDON
21st November 2008/ 23rd Cheshvan 5769
Candle Lighting: 3:46 pm
Shabbat Ends: 4:58 pm
Chayei Sarah
Dear Community,
When I received an invitation to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the ‘Unveiling of a plaque to commemorate British diplomats who helped to rescue victims of Nazi oppression’, I made sure to keep my diary clear and go.
As guests arrived, they all received a copy of a monograph by Sir Martin Gilbert, entitled ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’. In it I found this description: ‘In the days following Kristallnacht, Robert Smallbones, British Consul-General in Frankfurt, and his deputy, Consul Arthur Dowden, made extraordinary efforts to process as many British entry visas as possible. They also showed a humane touch so absent from the routine of officialdom during these chaotic times... According to one Jewish woman: ‘My husband was in concentration camp, and while I tried to get him out it was too terrible even to cry. Then at last I went to the British Consul to see if he could help me. And the first thing they asked me at the Consulate was, ‘Have you had anything to eat today?’
My family was in precisely that situation. My grandfather was in Dachau, my grandmother was battling to get him out and Isca would go every day to the British Consulate in Frankfurt to see if the papers had arrived. The place was an island in the sea of terror, she told me many times. They showed us kindness; they offered everyone tea. She recalls how two British teachers employed by the Jewish school in Frankfurt, the Philanthropin, would return regularly to England to report on what they had witnessed and muster support. My grandmother used to tell me that the British lawyer who came to Frankfurt and helped them apply for papers, said, when she went to his hotel to meet him, ‘The first thing I’m going to do is smother the phone under the bedclothes. I trust nothing here.’
I grew up with these stories amidst a family who were deeply grateful to Britain for saving their lives.
At the reception I met James and Stephen Smith who created the Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre, then later the Aegis Trust to struggle against genocide. I know, as we all do, that it is morally inadequate to commemorate the past and honour its heroes, without making a personal commitment in the present. In our synagogue we have listened to testimony from women who have been deported from Britain back to countries in which they were promptly threatened and attacked once again. One of them, accompanied by her small children, had her head held forcibly down on the plane until fellow passengers eventually complained.
We need to remember. But we also need to follow the example of those who show courage and kindness in parts of the world, and enclaves of officialdom, where indifference and brutality so readily come to rule.
Shabbat Shalom
Jonathan Wittenberg
PS This year, we are attaching to Shalom New North London a weekly study sheet on the Torah portion. Please use it for discussion and debate with your friends and family.
MESSAGES
Please note that details of events are occasionally subject to change
The monthly newsletter is prepared quite a bit in advance of some of our events. Please check the most recent weekly email for the most up to date information on times, venues etc.
Jazz Night
We are turning our Shul into a Jazz Café for our Jazz night on 29th November and need your help. If you can lend any of the following items: smallish tables, table cloths and table lamps, please contact Rivka at events@nnls-masorti.org.uk asap. We also need volunteers to help set-up and serve refreshments on the night. Thank you!
Exciting Developments with the NNLS Website – Can You Help?
We are delighted to advise that the NNLS website is in the midst of being re-designed, so that the content, look and feel of our website will finally bring our community into the 21st century. In addition to providing a more aesthetic and better source of information on the huge number of activities going on at NNLS, it is intended that our new website will offer a dynamic interactive platform with which the whole community can engage. However, in order to be able to keep our content up to date, we will need some assistance. If you have an interest in helping us with this, please email david@farbey.co.uk
Young Enterprise - NNLS Style
Fancy yourself as a budding young entrepreneur? Well here’s your chance. We challenge you to turn £20 into £200. You can do this any which way you choose - so long as it’s honest and ethical! We’ll give you the £20, and you have to return it to us, with at least another £180 within 6 months. 50% of the proceeds will go to the NNLS Building Fund, and 50% to Noam’s Leadership Fund. This project is aimed at Year 11’s, but teens in other year groups are also welcome to opt in. Please contact us to register your interest at youngenterprise@nnls-masorti.org.uk as soon as possible.
We will be launching this project at our Groundbreaking event on Sunday 14th December. So, if you plan to register, please email us before then, and come along to the Groundbreaking event to formally sign up and collect your £20. If you can't make this date, let us know and we'll do our best to arrange another time for you to do this, but if you do sign up on 14th December, you will also receive a small gift on that day when registering.
Young Enterprise – Some Help Needed
A volunteer (or two) is needed to help co-ordinate this exciting project. Please contact the office if you would like to know more or to offer your help.
Going Green…
Would You Like to Receive NNLS’s Monthly Newsletter by Email?
As of next month we plan to set up an e-group for all NNLS members who would prefer to receive the monthly Newsletter by email, rather than by receiving a hard copy by post.
If you would like to be part of this new Newsletter E-Group, please email millylewy@nnls-masorti.org.uk putting E-Newsletter in the Subject line.
International Day Eliminating Violence Against Women
25th November
One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
The Jewish Community is no different from any other.
Acknowledging the existence of the problem is the first step to ensuring that those suffering such abuse can find the help and support they need.
Jewish Women’s Aid
Helpline: 0800 59 12 03 www.jwa.org.uk
Jewish Women: Looking Backwards… Looking Forward
Please take a look & spend a few moments on replying to the survey - simply click on link below. Your view is important to Jewish Women in the UK today. We would like to hear from as many Jewish men and women of all ages so please pass this onto your networks too! tp://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=j3lQPxhgOe_2bxtnEX2afRcQ_3d_3d&c=301
Sunday 14th December
Groundbreaking Day!!!
10:00am – 12:30pm Chanukah Family Morning
For families with children up to and including Year 4 – crèche available
£5 per family to include refreshments and going home goodies
Lots of exciting activities for adults and children together and separately including:
Candle dipping, cookery, dreidl games, board games, drama, singing, paint a chanukiah and lots more
12:30pm – 1:30pm Groundbreaking Event
Hot Lunch
Audio/Visual Virtual “Walk-Through” of our New Building
Ceremony featuring Rabbi Wittenberg, Gan Alon, Mayor John Marshall and others
Launch of the NNLS Young Enterprise and Gemilut Chasadim initiatives
Bob the Builder will be on-site to entertain little ones
Followed immediately by
Chanukah Craft & Gift Fair
in Levy Hall (old Akiva School gym)
Stalls featuring gifts and hand crafted items for sale including: jewellery, soaps, cards, toys, books, ceramics, pottery, art, cakes and much more…
Bring a children’s book to donate to the second hand book stall
Games area for children (bring your own chess set!)
Refreshments
Raffle
Lost Property
We still have a large number of items in the office that were found after the High Holyday Services. We will hold the items until the end of November after which time we will take them to a charity shop.
To Learn and to Teach: Lilmod u’Lelamed ללמוד וללמד
Partnerships in Learning
Lilmod u’Lelamed is a new NNLS initiative. It is a project to engage the whole community in the mitzvah of Jewish learning. Whatever your level, from beginners’ Hebrew to Talmudic tractates, there is always something lilmod, to learn. And at NNLS, there is always someone lelamed, to teach it!
To register as a learner, teacher, or both, email Rabbi Lee Wax, at rabbilee@nnls-masorti.org.uk.
NNLS ACTIVITES
If you are interested in attending Services or events and have any special access requirements please contact Barbara Anders in the office on 020 8346 8560.
Shabbat 22nd November at 9:45am
Parashat HaShavua – a friendly way into The Weekly Portion
A look at the weekly Parashah with rabbinic and midrashic insights and discussion, using English translations alongside the Hebrew text. All are warmly welcome. With Markus Lange in Room 2.
Shabbat 22nd November at 10:30am
Explaining the Shabbat Services for Families
We are pleased to re-introduce a series of sessions explaining Shabbat morning services. These are aimed at families, to help you feel more comfortable in Shul prior to Bar/Bat Mitzvah, but all are welcome.
They will take place on: Shabbat mornings 22 & 29 November at 10:30am in Room 2 with Markus Lange
Shabbat 22nd November at 4:00pm
Seudah Shlishit
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg will speak on The Life of Isaac. At the home of Emily & Malcolm Cass.
Shabbat 22nd November at 4:30 to 6:30pm
Havdalah in Pyjamas
Especially for pre-school children and their siblings - but everyone is welcome. In addition of Havdalah, there will be an activity and food. At the home of Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg & Nicky Solomon.
Sunday 23rd November at 7:00pm
Maureen Lipman Entertains
Our fund raising event of the year at the Inner Temple - an evening of high quality entertainment, food and drink. Sold Out!
Wednesday 26th November at 8:00pm
New North London Learning
You can still join in the fun and learning, even if you missed earlier weeks.
Session 1 Course Choices:
Law and Spirit: Where to put one’s feet and how to direct one’s heart with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
War and Peace in the Middle East with Colin Shindler & Hagai Segal
Café Ivrit with Reli Israeli and Adit Orlev
Beginner’s Conversational Ivrit with Nurith Cohen
Leyning Haftarah for Beginners with Rabbi Lee Wax
Session 2 Course Choices:
God: Ultimate reality? Inspiration? Delusion? Tyrant in heaven? With Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
You Are What You Eat: An Introduction to Keeping Kosher with Rabbi Chaim Weiner
Living with Change with Cheryl Sklan
Light and Darkness: Depicting the Miracle of Hanukah through Drawing with Linda Samuels
Bein Adam L’Chavero – Jewish Personal Ethics for the 21st Century with Rabbi Lee Wax
Rikudei Am – Israeli Dancing with Maurice Stone
Shabbat 29th November at 3:45pm
Seudah Shlishit
Hamotzi Lechem - a history of Jewish bread with Bryan Reuben, at the home of Jenny & Lawrence Stolzenberg.
Motzei Shabbat 29th November at 8:00pm
Jazz Night @ the NNLS Jazz Café
In aid of Building Our Dream
Join us for a relaxed evening of smooth classics, cool blues and more featuring some of the talented musicians from within our community as well as guest artists.
Tickets at the door: £10 (£5 conc.), to include glass of wine. Refreshments will be on sale throughout the evening.
To reserve tickets, book via the office at office@nnls-masorti.org.uk.
FUTURE NNLS ACTIVITIES
Thursday 4th December at 8:00pm
Reluctant Refuge: The Story of Asylum in Britain
Dr Edie Friedman (Director of The Jewish Council for Racial Equality) and Reva Klein (journalist and author) will talk about their new book, Reluctant Refuge: The Story of Asylum in Britain. In the post 9/11 world of today, the fear of ‘the other’ has reached new heights and the very term ‘asylum seeker’ has become politically charged. Their book attempts to dispel increasingly unchallenged myths and to explore the history of asylum in Britain. Chaired by Jonathan Ellis, the Refugee Council.
Tickets: £5 - Please book via the office.
In partnership with The Jewish Museum and Refugee Council.
Friday 5th December at 5:30pm
Friday Night Frolics
Kabbalat Shabbat Service and dinner (at 6:30pm) for families with young children, at Nicky and Rabbi Jonathan’s home.
Motzei Shabbat 6th December at 6:00pm
Book Launch: ‘The Silence of Dark Water: An Inner Journey’
By JONATHAN WITTENBERG
(Robin Clark /Joseph’s Bookstore, Hardback £17-95)
Readings and discussion. Refreshments will be served
This event is free of charge. RSVP to: Joseph’s Bookstore
1255 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, London NW11 OAD Tel: (020) 8731 7575
info@josephsbookstore.com www.josephsbookstore.com
Sunday 7th December at 8:30pm
Exclusive Private Screening: Defiance
At The Phoenix Cinema
Be one of the first to see the new blockbuster feature film, Defiance, starring Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell. Defiance is the story of the three Bielski Brothers who escaped Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarusian forest, where they joined Russian resistance fighters and endeavoured to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger. For more information about the film, go to: http://www.defiancemovie.com/
Tickets: £20 each in aid of Building our Dream
Book through the Phoenix Cinema in person or by telephone: 020 8444 6789. Box Office opens half an hour before screenings, so phone in the afternoon or evening. Please quote NNLS Private Screening when booking. This event is only available to friends and family of NNLS.
NNLS is extremely grateful to Momentum Pictures for their generous sponsorship of this event.
Sunday 14th December
10:00am – 12:30pm Chanukah Family Morning
For families with children up to and including Year 4 – crèche available
£5 per family to include refreshments and going home goodies
Lots of exciting activities for adults and children together and separately including:
Candle dipping, cookery, dreidl games, board games, drama, singing, paint a chanukiah and lots more
12:30pm – 1:30pm Groundbreaking Event
Hot Lunch
Ceremony featuring Rabbi Wittenberg, Gan Alon, Mayor John Marshall and others
Audio/Visual Virtual “Walk-Through” of our New Building
Launch of the NNLS Young Enterprise and Gemilut Chasadim initiatives
Bob the Builder will be on-site to entertain little ones
Followed immediately by
Chanukah Craft & Gift Fair
in Levy Hall (old Akiva School gym)
Stalls featuring gifts and hand crafted items for sale including: jewellery, soaps, cards, toys, books, ceramics, pottery, art, cakes and much more…
Bring a children’s book to donate to the second hand book stall
Games area for children (bring your own chess set!)
Refreshments
Raffle
Monday 15th December at 8:00pm
Issues & Perceptions
How are the Jews in Europe perceived? What are the issues facing Jewish communities across the continent?
We are hosting Masorti Rabbis of Europe for an evening with leading journalists Jonathan Freedland & Melanie Phillips and responses from Rabbis of key European Cities. Chaired by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi of the Masorti Movement.
Book through the Office. Cost: £5/unwaged free
Tuesday 24th December at 6:00pm
In the Face of Adversity - An Evening of Celebrating Light
Please join members of the Jewish and Muslim communities from across London for candle lighting, reflections from Jewish and Islamic texts and traditions, and a unique opportunity to learn from visiting guests Khaled and Ali Abu Awwad from Beit Ummar in the West Bank, and Ayelet and Tzvika Shahak, from Tel Mond in Israel. Having all lost loved ones due to violence, Ayelet, Ali, Tzvika and Khaled will share insights and experiences from their work both in partnership and within their own societies to promote non-violence, and to transform the anger, frustration and suspicion that they encounter into focused efforts to bring about significant social and political change in the region.
At the home of Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Nicky Solomon. RSVP: If you are planning to attend please email: office@nnls-masorti.org.uk
Thursday 25th December at 10:30am to 4:00pm
Chanukah – Light, Courage, Hope
Study Day, ending with Candle Lighting
Sessions to include:
Legend of the Lights: Interpretations & Meanings with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
Don’t teach your children Greek (Talmud Bavli Sotah 49a): on non-Jewish culture, Christmas and Hanukah with Matt Plen, AMS Movement Director.
Maoz Tsur - the first Rock Song with Rabbi Daniel Goldfarb, Director of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Adversity, Resistance and Non-Violence with Al-Tariq (‘The Way’) – The Palestinian Institute for Development and Democracy.
The Texts of Hanukah - Psalm 30 and Al Hannissim, with Rabbi Benjamin Segal, former President of Melitz and the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Chaim Weiner, Director of the European Masorti Bet Din. Session to be confirmed.
Please book via the Office: office@nnls-masorti.org.uk / 020 8346 8560
Adults: £10 / £5 conc. Children: £5
Bagel Lunch, tea & coffee will be provided.
Childcare available for babies to Primary School (up to age 11) – please book in advance stating child’s age. 0 – 3 crèche MUST be booked in advance.
Older children are welcome to come if they want to help look after the younger ones or join in the adult sessions.
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
British Musicians Play the Music of Israeli and British Composers
at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London
This is a rare opportunity to hear music of Israeli composers in London. It is a unique symbiosis of East and West and the assimilation of elements from diverse traditions, combining the strands of Jewish traditions and Arab and Middle Eastern music with the use of Western approaches.
The Jewish Music Institute is offering you 2 Tickets for the price of 1 for any or all of the concerts below. Tickets cost £22.50, £17.50 and £12.50 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and £12.50 and £8.50 at the Purcell Room. To book, phone JMI on 020 8909 2445 or email southbank@jmi.org.uk. For more info please visit www.jmi.org.uk
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1.30pm: |
Meet the Composer Tzvi Avni – interviewed by Humphrey Burton with live music by three ensembles |
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4pm: |
Chamber Concert Purcell Room |
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7.45pm: |
Symphony Concert Queen Elizabeth Hall |
Monday 10th November – 15th December at 12:30pm
Weekday Nusach Course with Chazan Jaclyn Chernett
There will be a five week course on weekday nusach on Monday lunchtimes 12.30 - 1.30 at the AMS office from November 10 to December 15 with the exception of December 1. There is no charge and everyone is welcome. Please contact Matt Plen if you are interested in attending: matt@masorti.org.uk
10th - 29th November at 8:00pm
The Long Road
by Shelagh Stephenson, directed by Esther Baker
After a sell-out run earlier this year, this topical and powerful play returns to Soho Theatre. In the aftermath of Danny's pointless murder, his family struggles to find meaning and forgiveness.
'It is a rare play that hits the news with such cruel topicality... Stephenson offers a powerful, illuminating piece of dramatic fiction.'
Nicholas de Jongh, Evening Standard
'Rare and remarkable... this is a drama that cries out for attention - and richly rewards it. The acting in Esther Baker's shattering production is tremendous'
The Telegraph
Synergy Theatre Project works through theatre with offenders and ex-offenders towards resettlement and rehabilitation whilst placing the wider issues surrounding imprisonment in the public arena. www.synergytheatreproject.co.uk
The Forgiveness Project encourages and empowers people to explore the nature of forgiveness and alternatives to revenge. www.theforgivenessproject.com
The Lond Road is presented with a series of weekly talks, click here for more information
Tuesday 25th November at 12:45pm
Shiur in the City
"Humility" with Rabbi Joel Levy at Trace Group, 224/232 St John Street, London EC1V 4QR, Tel 020 7825 1235. Please confirm your attendance.
Tuesday 25th November at 7:00pm
The Challenge of Extremism: The Danger of Appeasement
The Morris and Manja Leigh Memorial Lecture to be given by
His Excellency Mr Ron Prosor, Ambassador of Israel to the Court of St James
In the chair: Mr Howard Leigh
Please contact JPR on 020 7436 1553 or by email at jpr@jpr.org.uk to book your seats.
Tuesday 2nd December
New Israel Fund Human Rights Awards
Join New Israel Fund on Tuesday 2nd December for our prestigious Human Rights Awards Dinner, hosted by Jonathan Freedland. For the second year running we will recognise and celebrate the very special Israeli human rights activists and their significant achievements in Israel. For more information contact Amit Handelsman on amit@uknif.org or call 020 77242266.
Please book now, RSVP by 10th November
Electronic Invitation Electronic reply card/donation
Information about the winners and awards
Wednesday 3rd December at 8:00pm
The Safe Space
Every year thousands of women and children are sex trafficked around the world. JCC's The Safe Space, together with JCore, is hosting a workshop and discussion on sex trafficking, on Wednesday 3rd December at 8pm in Hampstead. With knowledgeable panel speakers, and a chance to really engage in the issues of abuse, exploitation and violence in this terrible practice in our society. For more detailed info., see http://www.jcclondon.org.uk/Social_The_Safe_Space.html
We have 10 seats reserved for a group from shul, please contact me if you would like to go together. Rabbi Lee Wax, 020 8883 0476/07791 734774, or ravwax@sky.com
Sunday 7th December at 5:00pm
MEETING RE HENLYS CORNER
Councillor Freer, the Leader of Barnet Council, has agreed to hold a meeting for Finchley residents on Sunday 7th December at 5pm at his constituency offices 212 Ballards Lane, N3 2LX (corner of Granville Road). If you would like to attend, please could you e-mail the names of those attending ASAP to Stephanie Segal at stephanie@happyness.org.uk
Sunday 14th December at 7:30pm
Concert featuring music by Julian Dawes at the Wigmore Hall
Emma
Johnson - Clarinet
Gemma Rosefield - Cello
Serena Leader - Violin
Gordon Back - Piano
Concert Programme
Tickets: £10, £14, £18, £22 from the Wigmore Hall Box Office: 020 7935 2141 or online at www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
See newsletter and notice boards for details and for other events.
Unless specified, all events take place in the Synagogue. The community is warmly welcomed to participate in all of these events. For further information, please contact the NNLS office at 020 8346 8560 or office@nnls-masorti.org.uk