Shabbat Shalom (Parashat Sh'lach L'cha)
1. From the Rabbi
Prayer is how Jews bridge between finite and infinite. Prayer is therefore impossible. Added to which our services are conducted in a language few understand with a translation that offers insufficient help. Services are long and the experience of a Shabbat morning in Shul is quite unlike anything we experience in the rest of our week.
Stephen and I have been talking for some time about ways to make prayer easier and more accessible. For us, and many others, it is a precious, exquisite opportunity and we would love more members to feel as at home in our liturgical journey as we do. The key word in this last sentence is ‘journey.’ The prayers of a Shabbat morning are not undifferentiated. They tell a story. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. In the autumn we are putting on a series of classes entitled ‘Siddur Sat-Nav.’ It’s a perfect title because too many of us drive through prayer services without a map, a sense of where we are or where we are trying to go.
This Shabbat I won’t be giving a full sermon, instead I’ll take several opportunities to speak about the journey as we travel along it. I’ll give some context and share a sense of the narrative of the Shabbat morning prayers. As Stephen noted in his mail earlier this week the journey begins at 9:15am (and arriving in the middle of the story can often be part of the problem for those who ‘don’t get’ prayer). I hope you will be able to join us,
Shabbat shalom,
Jeremy Gordon
2. Reflections: To read the online version of the weekly commentary on the Torah Portion - Reflections, click the following link - http://www.masorti.org.uk/reflections.htm
3. Sponsors needed for the Selichot Concert - Can you help?
On the 12th September we are holding our annual Selichot concert and Service. The Selichot evening has become a highlight of our calendar, attracting many visitors to the Synagogue.
Once again we are appealing to your generosity for sponsorship (any contribution would be most welcome) or to help us obtain advertisements for the Programme. If you would like to contribute towards the expenses of the evening or can help with the programme (£250 for a half page) please contact me by clicking here. You can see the concert programme by clicking here.
4. The week Ahead
The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am. *see Rabbi's note above. Tea and coffee will be available before the service from 9.00 am.
On Sunday morning Shacharit will be at 9.30 am in the Bet HaMidrash. Rabbi Gordon continues his Midrash Shiur at 10.15 am. There is no Hebrew reading class this week. The Cheder meets as usual at 9.45 am.
On Sunday at 12.00 noon - The staff and students of the Cheder invite you to a Fundraising Concert in aid of the children of Kehillat Netzach Israel, Ashkelon, Gideon Bendavid’s Bar Mitzvah charity. Gideon will give a presentation on the charity as part of the event. There will be no charge for the concert, but donations will be requested to support children of Ashkelon from deprived backgrounds. The concert will last around an hour, and drinks and snacks will be served in the sukkah afterwards. There will be cello, piano and violin music, as well as singing. Please e-mail headteacher@newlondon.org.uk to let us know you are coming for catering and seating purposes.
On Monday from 11.00 am - 1.00 pm, our mums and babies group Babes in the Wood meets in the New London Hall. No need to book - just come along. On Monday evening, the Haftarah course with Stephen Cotsen continues at 8.00 pm. (It is now too late to join the course)
Tuesday is Rosh Chodesh Tammuz and there will be a Shacharit service at 7.30 am followed by breakfast.
5. FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Sunday 28th June at 8.00 pm - The Louis Jacobs Memorial Lecture by Rabbi Michael Melchior; - "Israel’s Future"
Tribalism and divisiveness threaten the unity of both the Jewish people and the State of 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 Melchior 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.
Shabbat 4th July - Tots 4 Tea "The Americans are Revolting!" at Rabbi Jeremy and Josephine's house (ages 7 and under) from 5- 7pm. Please book through the office.
Wednesday evening 29th July at 8.00 pm -Tisha B'Av . Our annual service will include a study session with Rabbi Jeremy Gordon entitled - How to Warn about Destructive Behaviour - On the eve of the commemoration of the destruction of the Temples we will look at how Biblical prophets warned, challenged and succeeded (or not) in changing the behaviour of their people.
Thursday 3rd September - A unique opportunity to Visit CERN. You will have to pay for flights and transfers, lunch, coffee etc. at CERN but there is no actual charge for the visit. Places can be secured on this unique experience by donation to the Synagogue (suggested £25 per head). We have almost reached the maximum number so this is probably the last opportunity to join this trip.
Saturday 12th September Selichot Concert at 9.15 pm You can see the concert programme by clicking here.
6. Next Children's/Youth services
Shabbat 27th June - Children's service 11.00 am in the Bet Midrash
Shabbat 11th July - Children's service 11.00 am in the Bet Midrash, Youth Service (11 - 14) 11.00 am at the top of the front stairs
7. Tombstone Consecrations - Dates for your diary
for Stella Leon - Sunday 28th June, 11.30 am at Willesden (United Synagogue)
for Susi Spiegel - Sunday 5th July, 3.15 pm at Cheshunt (please note time)
for David Sweden - Monday 6th July, 11.00 am at Cheshunt
for Harold Crash - Thursday 23rd July, 2.00 pm at Edgwarebury Lane
for Pilly Sharpes - Sunday 2nd August, 11.30 am at Cheshunt
for Sidney Spears - Tuesday 4th August, 11.00 am at Cheshunt
for Hugh Laddie - Sunday 13th September, 10.45 am at Cheshunt
for Ernest Silverman - Sunday 18th October, 10.45 am at Cheshunt
for Stephen Rose - Sunday 25th October, 1.45 pm at Cheshunt
8. Mazal Tov...
to Kala Jerzy, who has just finished her BA in Hebrew at UCL, and has been awarded First Class Honours.
Shabbat Shalom
Stephen Cotsen
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