Shabbat Shalom (Vayeira) 1. From the Rabbi - What a Time to Be A Jew Several weeks ago I was invited to a reception at Number 10 Downing Street where Sarah Brown helped launched the UJIA ‘myfund’ initiative. Myfund matches funds teens, and especially those celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, give to charity. It helps train budding philanthropists to understand their obligation to those less fortunate and teaches them to understand Jewish approaches to giving. At the launch a gaggle of Rabbis wandered around the State Rooms and suggested how various items of silverware could be put to use around a Shabbat table. This week I was invited to Windsor Castle for a conference on religion and the environment hosted by Prince Philip and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. At the core of the conference is a document, or series of documents produced by leaders of a vast range of different religions, from Chinese Buddhists to American Evangelicals talking about how they are working, from a religious perspective to protect and save the environment. It’s an attempt by religious communities to strengthen the hand of the UN in the run up to Copenhagen. The Jewish response was led by Hazon founder Nigel Savage working with Rabbi Yedidya (Julian) Sinclair and another British-born, now abroad, Michael Kagan. Hazon is the pre-eminent American Jewish Environmental organisation. Also among Jewish delegates were Nomi Tzur, Deputy Mayor for Jerusalem, Rabbi Michael Melchior (our most recent Jacobs Memorial lecturer) and Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi founding father of eco-kashrut (who will be joining us on Sunday). Information about the Jewish Climate Campaign is here http://www.jewishclimatecampaign.org/ I will be sharing some more observations on Shabbat. I’m struggling to think of another time in Jewish history where Jewish leaders have been welcomed at the top tables of our national homes. I’ll count Spain in the early fifteenth century and then … Certainly it is a very short list. What a time to be a Jew! Britain is looking towards Jews and Jewish organisations to provide leadership on some of the most important issues of the day; how do we encourage our youth to develop a sense of communal obligation, how can we instil within us a shift in our relationship with energy and consumption large enough to save our planet? And we are responding, with wise words, meaningful gestures and eloquence. But enough talking, now we have to walk the walk. Sunday week, 15th November, we celebrate Mitzvah Day at New London. We are one of some 200 organisations across the Anglo-Jewish spectrum who will be coming together to engage in meaningful volunteer activity ‘to reduce hardship and poverty, to help our environment and to bring a little joy all through volunteering – not by fund raising. It is a way for all of us to make our mark.’ Our project, ‘Bring it On’ is a collectathon. On the afternoon of 15th November, we are asking members to bring phone cards,non-perishable food,clothes and shoes, toiletries, stationery and art materials, toys, games and children’s books,and household goods which will be sorted, packed and delivered to a number of local refugee supporting organisations including the New North London Asylum Drop-In and The Seperated Child Foundation. Your contributions and your time to volunteer, as there is mush sorting and packing to be done, will be gratefully appreciated. Shabbat shalom, 3. The Week Ahead The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm in the New London Hall. For the next three months we will hold our Friday evening services in the Hall to create a more intimate atmosphere and it will also be much warmer in the winter. Seating arrangements will remain as they are in the shul and we welcome your feedback. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am in the Synagogue. This week is the aufruf of Marc Schaller who is marrying Hannah Cooke next weekend. The Schaller and Cooke families invite you to join them for a celebratory Kiddush after the service in the New London Hall. The Minyan Chadash meets at 9.45 in the New London Hall. Alex Games and Angela Gluck will be leading the service and Shoshi Ish-Horowicz will be teaching. At 11.30 am on Sunday, the Tombstone consecration in loving memory of Phyllis Owen will take place at Cheshunt Cemetery This Sunday afternoon -- Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi will speak at New London 2.00 - 4.30 pm. - Throughout his life Reb Zalman has studied deeply, both his own Chasidic heritage and the spiritual teachings of all religions. Having spent a lifetime working with fellow spiritual seekers ranging from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach to the Dalai Lama, he is universally recognised as one of the most important Jewish spiritual teachers of our time. Together with his wife, Eve Isen, he has campaigned for a greater respect for our planet. This lecture will examine the special role that faith can play in helping us to protect our environment. For info, or to book tickets, e-mail: rebzalmaninlondon@gmail.com Admission £7 (£5 concessions) Babes in the Wood will meet on Monday from 11.00 - 1.00 pm. Cost: £6 per session or £25 for the unit of 5 sessions paid in advance. For full details of the course - see 4 below They need your help! A flyer is attached, with suggested actions you can take, including buying Israeli goods during that week at Morrisons and Waitrose, and writing and emailing the supermarkets with arguments on why boycotts are counterproductive. When doing so, please bear in mind that all UK supermarkets have consistently continued to stock Israeli goods and should be commended and encouraged for doing so. Please send this flyer to as many people as possible – friends, family and importantly, your shul email lists, influencing them to join in the campaign! For more information, click onto www.fairplaycg.org.uk/BUYcott . The Fair Play Campaign Group was formed by the Board in 2006, and works to counter boycotts and other anti-Zionist campaigns. 4. * NLS series on Prayer - history, theology & spirituality * Or These are a few of my Favourite Prayers Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November - NLS trip to Paris - It is not too late for more people to join the trip, however you must now make your own arrangements for travel and accomodation. We are travelling by Eurostar - leaving 9.01 Friday and returning on the Sunday from Paris. We are staying at the hotel Eiffel Petit Louvre www.hotel-paris-petitlouvre.com close to the Eiffel Tower (Phone : 01 45 78 17 12) and also to the Adath Shalom Synagogue. When you have booked your trains and hotel please call the office so we can add you to the list, - there will be a small additional charge for the walking tour and for a gift for the Adath Shalom Community, our hosts. 6. Bereavement 7. Poppy Appeal - The Synagogue is selling poppies to raise funds for the British Legion in the run up to Remembrance Sunday. The collection box will be in the Synagogue office and a £1 donation per poppy is requested. Shabbat Shalom Stephen Cotsen
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