Shabbat Shalom (Parashat Korach)
1. From the Rabbi
This week we commemorate the Yartzheit of our founding Rabbi, Louis Jacobs of blessed memory. On Sunday, of course, there will be the Memorial Lecture and I hope many of you will be able to join us.
On Shabbat I will be sharing some thoughts on Rabbi Jacobs’ life based on a recently completed dissertation by my colleague Elliot Cosgrove, currently Rabbi of the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York. Dr Cosgrove’s thesis is that if one understands the life of Rabbi Jacobs up to the point of the publication of We Have Reason to Believe one will already know all one needs to know about the way the Jacobs’ Affair plays out.
Dr Cosgrove’s dissertation also contains some wonderful material including an extract from the diary of Shula, written the evening after their first date in December 1943. It’s an extract I have discussed with Louis’ son, Ivor, and daughter, Naomi and I have their blessing to share it here. Not only is it remarkably touching, it’s also an extraordinary insight into what made Rabbi Jacobs such an important figure in Anglo-Jewry, an explanation into the unique character and role of the Synagogue Louis went on to lead and a signpost directing our attention to our way forward.
“During the walk all I can say is I was absolutely enthralled being entertained by my head being filled with magical Chassidic tales and the like. I must have appeared quite ignorant in opposition to his brain, but it did not seem to worry him at all. Suddenly, here was a Yeshiva Bochur, a Rabbi, and I always thought of Rabbis in terms of dull, pious and old in ways, not knowing anything modern, was just the opposite. Together with a tale for every question, joked and seemed like a normal Manchester English young man. He wasn’t pompous; certainly did not parade his religiousness. Talked of literature and poetry and he even liked jazz! (Well, I was not so sure about that). He was refreshing to talk to, and yet he gave me the impression of being the spiritual type, which I admired anyway and seemed to me right away that he was Mr. Right!”
I miss both Louis and Shula, may their memories always serve as a blessing
Shabbat shalom,
Jeremy Gordon
2. This Sunday evening 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.
QUEST 4 - The new edition of our annual journal will be available at the Lecture and afterwards from the office - Cost £5. It includes last year's Jacobs Memorial Lecture by Chancellor Arnie Eisen, and the March lecture by Rabbi Reuven Hammer plus nine other articles.
BOOK SHOP - We will be selling a wide range of books by Rabbi Louis Jacobs, Rabbi Reuven Hammer and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg on Sunday evening. This will be an excellent opportunity to enrich your library.
3. The week Ahead
The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am. There will be a Children's service at 11.00 am in the Bet Midrash. This Shabbat is the auf ruf for Jonny Simon who is marrying Donna Bennett on 5th July. Jonny and Donna invite you to join them for a celebratory Kiddush after the service. Mazal tov to both families.
On Sunday morning Shacharit will be at 9.30 am in the Bet HaMidrash. Rabbi Gordon continues his Midrash Shiur at 10.15 am. Rabbi Elaina Rothman's Hebrew reading group meets at 10.15 am in the Rabbi's study. The Cheder meets as usual at 9.45 am.
On Sunday at 11.30 am the Tomb Stone Consecration in loving memory of Stella Leon will take place at Willesden Cemetery (United Synagogue)
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 Council meets at 7.30 pm.
4. 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.
5. Forthcoming Events
Shabbat 4th July - Tots 4 Tea "The Americans are Revolting!" at Rabbi Jeremy and Josephine's house (ages 7 and under) from 5.00 - 7.00 pm. Please book through the office.
Monday 13th July - Babes in the Wood invite you to a SPECIAL EVENT. Mabel's Monsters will be coming to Babes! Yippie! - singing, dancing and bubbles! More information - http://www.mabelsmonsters.com/mabel.swf For that day only reservations are a must, please email Cori SaNogueira by clicking here. The cost is £15 to include lunch, and we will start promptly at 11.
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. This year, we will also be holding a morning service on Tisha B'Av at 7.00 am
Saturday 12th September Selichot Concert at 9.15 pm and Service at 10.45 pm. You can see the concert programme by clicking here.
Preparing for the High Holy Days - Two evenings devoted to the history, meaning and music of key liturgical texts from Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. 8.00 - 9.30 pm, cost £5 to include refreshments.
Monday 14th September - Un'taneh Tokef
Monday 21st September - Kol Nidrei
6. ...and finally,
Mazal tov to Mark and Miriam Filer on the birth of a son, in New York, and to the proud grand parents, Lily and Anthony Filer.
Request for help with accommodation. Two of our members shortly to be married are asking if anyone can help with accomodation for their family who are flying in from Australia (and Manchester) for their auf ruf at the end of August (or if anyone is away and they could possibly use their house) when they come over for the wedding (and arrive from Australia). The dates are the weekend of the 21st and 28th August and it is proving difficult to find reasonably priced accommodation for them all. The offer would be reciprocated if anyone wanted to come to Manchester or Australia.
Shabbat Shalom
Stephen Cotsen |
