Shabbat Shalom from New London Synagogue (Parashat Shof'tim) 1. It's Ellul Tradition teaches that the month of Elul is a propitious time for repentance. This mood of repentance builds through the month of Elul to the period of Selichot, to Rosh Hashanah, and finally to Yom Kippur. The name of the month (spelled Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed) is said to be an acronym of "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," a quote from Song of Songs 6:3, where the "Beloved" is God and the "I" is the Jewish people. According to legend, the month of Elul is the time that Moses spent on Mount Sinai preparing the second set of tablets after the incident of the golden calf. He ascended on Rosh Chodesh Elul and descended on the 10th of Tishri, at the end of Yom Kippur, when repentance was complete. During the month of Elul, the shofar is blown after morning services on weekdays, except on erev Rosh Hashanah to make a clear distinction between the rabbinical rule of blowing the shofar in Elul and the biblical command to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Maimonides (Rambam) explained the custom of blowing shofar as a wake-up call to sleepers, designed to rouse us from our complacency. It is a call to repentance. Jewels of Elul is an inspirational collection of stories, musings and anecdotes sent as a daily email during Elul - previous years have featured a wide group of contributors from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Dalai Lama and Kirk Douglas to Barak Obama. Plus, of course, some of the leading thinkers and scholars in the Jewish world. You can subsribe by visiting the following link http://www.jewelsofelul.com/ We have a limited number of Return Rail Tickets at an incredible £55 each on a first - come first served basis. We have a special deal with a local hotel or you can opt for home hospitality with members of Adath Shalom Masorti community who are hosting us for Shabbat. To book, call the office on 020 7328 1026. 3. The Week Ahead The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am. Stephen Cotsen is on holiday and the services this week will be led by Rabbi Gordon and Lester Kershenbaum. The sermon will be given by June Jacobs CBE. Also this week we welcome Judy and Elliott Lewis who are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Judy and Elliott were married in this shul and thought it would be nice to celebrate their special anniversary with us. They are kindly sponsoring the Kiddush. On Sunday morning, Shacharit is at 9.30 am in the New London Hall. 4. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK - Monday 24th August Are you free on Monday morning from 10am -1pm to help with the newsletter? Can you spare some time to help us fill envelopes? 5. Forthcoming Events Sunday 6th September, 2:30pm (tbc) - High Holydays Security Rota Briefing. This is session for everybody on the Security rota to learn about their role and responsibilities. Information about the security rota will be going out in the coming weeks. To register or for more details, contact Stephen Greene by clicking here. Preparing for the High Holy Days - Two evenings with Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, 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. Shabbat Shalom Stephen Cotsen |
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