Shabbat Shalom (Parashat Mattot/Masei)

1. From the Rabbi - The Quest for Authenticity

‘I could revive the dead, but I have more difficulty reviving the living,’ said Reb Simhah Bunim

I’ve been reading The Quest for Authenticity by Michael Rosen. Rabbi Rosen, known to all as Micky was the creator of Yakar, first in London, then Jerusalem and most recently Tel Aviv. A huge personal inspiration he passed away recently, may his memory always be for a blessing.

The book tells the story of Reb Simchah Bunim and his successors, alive in the first half of the nineteenth century. Their watchword was a commitment to truth, integrity, spiritual honesty, no matter how prickly or discomforting it might be. Truth emerges in the book as a complex unsettling paradox, only a whisper away from heresy.

“Once Reb Bunim was crying and he said, ’Do you know why I am crying? Come and I will tell you an incident. When I was with the holy Reb Ephraim of Sedilkov he said that there is no wise man in the world except me and one other who, at just this moment has become an apostate.”

The relationship between a commitment to truth and heresy is one long-trodden at New London, indeed, that is precisely the dynamic that drove our founder rabbi and the treatment of him by the United Synagogue. But a commitment to truth cannot only be a commitment to the sorts of issues that made New London what it was, it also requires that we acknowledge the truth behind what we must become, and to do that we need to acknowledge that a Jewish future for this special community means we must commit to deepening our commitment to Jewish observance, learning and education. There is much to be done, but the first step is the choice of which path to choose to walk on. And I chose the path of questing for authenticity.

Shabbat shalom,

Jeremy Gordon 

2. Can you help? -  Sponsors/Brochure advertisers needed for the Selichot Concert 
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 brochure (£250 for a half page) please contact me by clicking here.  You can see the concert programme by clicking  here. 

3. The Week Ahead

The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am.  This week is a Baby Blessing for Leah, the daughter of Bilyana and Rabin Yacoubian. Bilyana and Rabin invite you to join them for a celebratory Kiddush in the New London Hall following the service.

The Minyan Chadash meets this Shabbat at 9.45 am in the New London Hall. The service will be led by Lester Kershenbaum and the teacher will be Stephen Lerman.

On Sunday morning Shacharit is at 9.30 am. At 10.30 am there is a revision session of Stephen Cotsen's Haftarah course for those who want a catch up opportunity. Rabbi Elaina Rothman's Hebrew reading group meets at 10.15 am in the Rabbi's study.

On Sunday afternoon, The Ladies' Association are visiting the Chelsea Physic Garden, meeting at the main entrance on Swan Walk,  at 2.45pm.  Nearest tube station is Sloane Square.

On Monday morning our mother and baby group Babes in the Wood meets at 11.00 am in the New London Hall. No need to book - just come along. Cost is just £5 to include lunch. Cjeck out the Babes in the Wood notice board in the hall for some great photograph's from this week.

The Haftarah course will not be meeting on Monday evening. The final session will be on Monday 27th at 8.00 pm.

The L'Haim course meets as usual on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 8.00 pm with Angela Gluck.

Wednesday morning is Rosh Chodesh Av and Shacharit will be at 7.30 am

On Thursday afternoon at 2.00 pm there will be a Tomb Stone consecration  for Harold Crash, brother of Donald at  Edgwarebury Lane Cemetery.

4. Forthcoming Events

TISHA B'AV - Wednesday evening 29th July at 8.00 pm. 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 (finishing by 8.30 am)

Saturday 12th September Selichot Concert at 9.15 pm and Service at 10.45 pm. To see the concert programme click 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

5. Building the Sukkah 
The Korns and their band of not so young helpers want to retire after many of years of Succah building and decorating.    Edward Teeger has kindly agreed to be in charge of building the Succah in future, ably helped by Robert Buckle, and Marion Cohen has agreed to organize the decoration of the Succah and the hanging of the fruit, but they badly need some extra help in erecting and decorating the Succah.  So please contact the office or Edward if you are willing and able to help.

This  year the weekend dates of many Yomtovim makes the putting up and spreading  of the Schach greenery on the roof particularly difficult so volunteers are needed to do this  work on the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday 30th September. Volunteers please put the date in your diaries  and importantly give your name to the office as soon as possible .

We especially need large quantities of branches of laurel or other evergreen leaves  (without thorns); which, should be brought to the Synagogue on Tuesday 29th September or Wednesday morning 30th September.

6...and finally

Mazal tov to Andrew Marks and Helen Amos on their engagement
Mazal Tov to Andrew and Danielle Sandler, on the birth of a son this week, a brother to Jake, and grandson for Michael and Gail

Shabbat Shalom

Stephen Cotsen