Chag Same'ach (Shavuot)
1. From the Rabbi
This evening begins with an ice cream and cheesecake tea party for children at 6.15 pm. Following the Service the children will be performing a play at 7.30 pm after which there is a Yom tov dinner for those who have booked during which I will teach on the subject "The Soul of the Convert". After the meal (approximately 10.00 pm) a wonderful programme of learning has been organised which will be followed by an early morning service led by Minyan Chadash.
I'm delighted to share with you the plan for our through the night learning, which has been organised by Angela Gluck (in her own words) - come for as much or as little as you like...
"Michael Alpert kicks off with “The Chaste Wife, a novel in Ladino about marriage”, a light-hearted way to open up Shavuot’s themes of covenant and betrothal. Rabbi Roderick Young moves on to examine a relationship of an utterly different kind in: “A Rabbinic Love Affair: The extraordinary friendship between Rabbi Yohanan and the bandit Reish Lakish.” Martin Dix gives a “man’s presentation” of Merle Feld’s feminist poem ‘We All Stood Together’ about revelation and tradition. In “Eighteen Questions, One Answer”, Lester Kershenbaum seems to have a kind of pub quiz in mind—but with crib sheets, fortunately! Then it’s ‘the moment’ for “Back to the Future: Time Travel in the Talmud”, explored with us by Aviva Dautch. “What's in a date?” asks Angela Gluck about Shavuot and the Ethiopian Jewish festival of Sigd. Shavuot falls on the 6th of Sivan. We know that! Or do we? It all depends on who's counting, how they count and what actually counts. Finally, we move to an appreciation of the vision of the Prophet Yechezkel in the haftarah for the first day of Shavuot, introduced by Lester Kershenbaum. How do we, with our finite intellect, come to terms with an infinite God? Rabbi Jeremy Gordon will take this theme a stage further in “Up, Up and Away”. For hundreds of years, Jewish mysticism meant meditating on the ascension into the higher spheres of heaven. ‘Merkavah’ or ‘chariot’ mysticism begins with the passage in Yehezkel. We will focus on Rabbinic and pre-Rabbinic texts (in translation) and work out what all this could conceivably have to do with us today.
And with that ‘high’, the sun will be rising. When dawn breaks, we’ll daven. And when we’ve davenned, we’ll have breakfast. And when we’ve had breakfast, we’ll go home".
Chag Same'ach
Jeremy Gordon
Today we say a fond farewell to Kira Mendelsohn who has been helping us in the office while Sarah Koffman is on maternity leave. Sarah returns to work this Sunday. We wish to thank Kira for all she has done during her time with us. We know that we will keep in touch and wish her well for the future.
2. Shavuot Services
Thursday 28th May - Erev Shavuot
7.00 pm Minchah and Ma'ariv
Friday 29th May - First Day Shavuot
9:15 am Shacharit
6:30 pm Minchah and Ma'ariv
Shabbat 30th May - Second Day Shavuot
9:15 am Shacharit (includes Yizkor)
11:00 am Children's Service
3. The week Ahead
Sunday morning, Shacharit will be at 9.30 am in the Bet Midrash. The Cheder meets at 9.45 am. Rabbi Gordon's Midrash Shiur is at 10.15 am and Rabbi Elaina Rothman continues her Hebrew Reading group at 10.15 am.
Next Shabbat (6th June) services will be led by Rabbi Gordon and Lester Kershenbaum and the sermon will be given by Rabbi Roderick Young. Lenny Krikler will be celebrating his 80th Birthday and invites you to join him and Lily for a celebratory Kiddush.
4. Dates for your diary
Tay-Sachs Screening Day- Sunday 7 June between 11am and 3pm
Jewish Care is arranging a free Screening Day at New London for people over the age of sixteen in order to identify Tay Sachs Carriers, by nurses, Phlebotomists and Doctors registered to take blood samples. Results will take approximately 4/5 weeks and will be delivered to people’s homes. For further information or to secure an appointment, kindly contact Jess Clare on 07890611119.
Learn how to read ANY HAFTARAH in just 6 lessons - Mondays 8th 15th 22nd 29th June 6th 13th July at 8.00 p.m.
Teacher: Stephen Cotsen - By learning to read the musical notation for the Haftarah you will be able to easily learn any Haftarah. With the help of our colour coded system it’s easier than you think! Cost: £30 for the whole course
Sunday 28th June at 8.00 pm - The Louis Jacobs Memorial Lecture by Rabbi Michael Malchior; - "Israel’s Future"
Tribalism and divisiveness threaten the unity of both the Jewish people and the State Israel. In spite of our religious and political differences, how can we create and put into action an agenda for the future of the Jewish community both in Israel and across the Jewish World? Having spent ten years in the Israeli Knesset including service as Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Diaspora & Israeli Society Affairs, Rabbi Michael Malchior is currently building an inclusive education system in Israel. He is also a leading campaigner on peace, ecology and human rights. He serves as Chief Rabbi of Norway and also leads a young community in Jerusalem.
Saturday 12th September Selichot Concert at 9.15 pm
The programme for this year's concert has now been finalised.
Deux Melodies Hebraiques Ravel
1. Kaddisch
2. L’enigme Eternelle
Ezk’rah Elohim (from the Neilah service) – Julian Dawes (first performance)
Sonata for Cello and Piano – Second Movement – Julian Dawes
Two Songs for Mezzo Soprano and Piano
1. Au Bord de L’eau Faure
2. Lament Duparc
O Lord Thou hast searched me, and know me (from Psalm 139) – Julian Dawes
Kol Nidre for cello and piano – Max Bruch
Andrea Hess - Cello Camille Maalawy – Mezzo Soprano
Andrew Robinson - Piano Julian Dawes – Piano
The New London Synagogue Choir
5. BEYOND NLS
WIZO.uk is launching a new business networking initiative in partnership with the Jewish Chronicle, sponsored by Bank Hapoalim and AHAVA. The JC WIZO.net will include business breakfasts for men and women and women-only networking evening events. The launch will take place on 16th June at 7.15pm in Central London, guest speakers Ruby Wax comedienne and networking expert Andy Lopata. For tickets (£60) or further information please call Amanda on 0207 486 2691 or e-mail Amanda@wizouk.org
Sunday 5th July - Youth Aliyah invite you to a walk of the Jewish East End
Starts11.00 am at Aldgate Station. Cost is £20 including brunch - in aid of their youth villages in Israel. To book contact eva@youthaliyah.org.uk
Chag Same'ach
Stephen Cotsen
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