Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
In This Month’s HighlightView from the Chair ............................3Conversion to Judaism .........................3Ruth Franklin: A Life ...........................4Living Legacy Mission ........................4Cheder News ........................................5Social Centre News ..............................5e-light notice ........................................6Kashrut sicha ........................................6Friday night oneg .................................6Social and Personal ..............................7Letters to the Editor .............................7SE10 and Beyond .................................7Knit and Natter .....................................7Donating to the Board of Deputies ......8The Rabbi who can Catch you a Catch ..8Services ................................................9Shirei Chagigah ....................................9Dates for Your Diary .........................10Synagogue Contacts ...........................11Advertisements ..................................12M
ay
2015 –
Sh
avu
ot
5775
Jubilee Lecture, 2015Sunday, 10 May
7.15 pm refreshments, 8 pm startCome and listen to our very own Baroness
Professor Alison WolfSir Roy Griffiths Professor of Public Sector Management
at Kings College London, speak on “Not Quite Utopia?”
“There are now many millions of educated, professional working women, who are transforming the societies around them. But have we got the world that feminists and reformers dreamed of? Or have new problems and injustices been created along the way?” Professor Wolf has recently published a book covering this topic – The XX Factor: How Working Women are Creating a new Society All inquiries to: Barbara Kurtz – [email protected]
The Campling family were welcomed into the community during the Shabbat morning service on 28 March. The date coincided with the 9th birthday of Leo Campling, here being congratulated by Barbara Kurtz.
Temple Mount Sifting Project
Never heard of it? Want to know more?
We have just the person. Come and hear
Rabbi Larry Beckeron Monday, 18 May7.30 for 8 pm in the
synagogue
He will talk about the Israeli archaeological project, begun in 2005, dedicated to recovering artefacts from 400 truckloads of topsoil removed from the Temple Mount during the renovation of Solomon’s Stables. So far they have found scores of ancient coins, an iron arrowhead, fragments of pottery and a bronze pendant depicting the Holy Grail.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY(in the event of a bereavement)
Contact Mrs Janet Posner: 020 8650 7521 (Mobile: 07841 373 309)or Stephen Weil: 020 8299 4141 (Mobile: 07764 475209)
Tell the CommunityThis cut-out slip is a regular feature in Highlight to enable you to inform the community of any appropriate event - birth, marriage, engagement, illness, bereavement, birthday celebration, examination success etc. Please complete and return to the Editor c/o the Synagogue office.We would like you to know that ............................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
Name .................................................................................. Tel. No. .................................
BROMLEY REFORM SYNAGOGUE A constituent of the Movement for Reform Judaism
28, Highland Road, BROMLEY, Kent, BR1 4ADTelephone: 020 8460 5460
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bromleyshul.org.uk
(Office - 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays)Minister: Rabbi Jason Holtz
07454 021 892
Synagogue Administrator: Mrs Janet Burlem
HONORARY OFFICERSPresident: David Barnett
Vice-Presidents:Desirée Barnett Zena Goodman Sally RoseberyNorman Goldberg Ivor Lask, MBE Bob SymondsRonnie Goldberg Dianne Mathews David Zerihan
Executive OfficersChairman: Joanna Koenigsberg 020 8309 1061 [email protected]: Matthew de Lange 020 8858 6206 [email protected]: Anna Sedenu 020 8297 5249 [email protected]: Sandra Hurley 07770 661 898 [email protected] Warden: Daniel Posner 07866 761 181 [email protected]
Editor: Bob Symonds: 020 8402 2197; [email protected] expressed in “Highlight” are not necessarily the official policy of the Synagogue
2Copy date for June Highlight: Friday 15 May
3Highlight, May 2015 - Iyar/Sivan 5775
We need to be aware – View from the Chair
One of the most pressing
issues your Board has to deal with now concerns security. No one wants to be alarmist or to expect the worst
– as the Rabbi stressed during the Civic Service, Great Britain is a safe place for Jews to live and worship – but we also need to be aware of what might happen, and to make contingency plans.
To this end, the Executive met recently with the police officers in Bromley who have responsibility for counter terrorism in this part of London. It was a very useful exchange of information, during which they explained what steps we can take ourselves to enhance our security. None
of them are radical, but we need to be more alert all round.
As many of you will know, the police know who we are and where we are – I’ve seen the Police Community Support Officers dropping by for a word - and they have a good understanding about times when our profile might be raised (such as last summer’s activity in Israel) and that at those times they might need to step up their patrolling.
However, as a community we also need to increase our participation in our own safety. Already we have a band of dedicated volunteers who guard our Shabbat services and the Cheder is currently benefiting from some paid security protection.
This isn’t yet quite enough, unfortunately. For instance, the front door sometimes no longer locks itself when it swings to. Would everyone please just stay long enough when they
Judaism, it is often said, is
not a proselytising faith. We believe that one can be a good person and not be Jewish. Judaism had never claimed that the Jews had a monop-
oly on being righteous, good, deserving of a place in the world to come, or any such thing. So, many Jews don’t have the strong missionary zeal that is found in some other religions. In fact, at some points in history, Jews have felt completely the opposite: we shouldn’t try and make new Jews. The reason for that isn’t because they wouldn’t be wonderful additions to the Jewish people, but that it was simply dangerous. Rabbi Solomon Luria (1510-1573) wrote, “Under the present conditions, when we live in a country that is not ours, like slaves under the rod of a master, if a Jew encourages someone to convert to Judaism he becomes a rebel against the government, subject to the death penalty… Therefore, I caution anyone against being party to such activity when the law of the state forbids it, for he thereby forfeits his life.” For Rabbi Luria, this was simply a matter of pragmatism.
There is no need for others to be Jewish to save their soul, and if he or any of his contemporaries tried to attract new Jews, they could be killed. To some degree, the inertia coming from the medieval ambiva-lence to conversion continues. It doesn’t need to, though. Fortunately, those times are past, and we can return to inviting and welcoming new Jews.
When our faith first began, we thought that we had a message for the whole world. Our Torah says that the Jews are to be a light unto the nations. Abraham, the first Hebrew, obviously wasn’t born Jewish. He converted. So did Sarah. One version of the story actually says that it was Sarah that converted Abraham. Both of them, accord-ing to rabbinic legend, attracted hundreds upon hundreds of new Jews. They would roll up the sides of their tent and welcome in travellers. These travellers would be so moved by the life that Abraham and Sarah lived, and their devotion to one God who more than anything simply wanted people to treat one another kindly, that they would ask to join them. That message, that resonated so much back then, still does today for many people.
Our tradition holds the people who come to our faith on their own in an especially
high esteem. Reish Lakish, an early sage, said, “One who chooses Judaism is dearer than the Jews who stood before Mount Sinai. Why? Because had those Jews not seen the thunder and the lightning and the mountains quaking and the sounds of the horn, they would not have accepted the Torah. But this one, who chose Judaism, who saw none of these things, came, and surrendered himself to the Holy One and accepted upon himself the kingdom of heaven. Could any be dearer than he?”
The festival of Shavuot is coming up soon. On this festival, we celebrate receiving the Torah. While all Jews get to celebrate this festival, particular honour is given to the commitment of those Jews who chose their faith rather than inherited it. On Shavuot, we read from the Book of Ruth. In it, Ruth, the Moabite, becomes Jewish. She does so by saying, “Your people shall be my people, your God my God.” She joins our people and our faith. One of Ruth’s descendants was King David.
In our own time, people are fully empowered to choose their own religious communities. For those who are search-ing, we have a lot to offer. For them, the invitation is there. They will be welcome at Bromley Reform Synagogue.
Rabbi Jason Holtz
leave to assure themselves that it is truly closed? If you are at the door and don’t recognise someone, ask them to wait while you find someone they do know who can vouch for them. No genuine visitor will be offended or resentful.
We all need to be more aware of how we might evacuate the building quickly if it became necessary. When all is said and done, these are good things to know in case of fire or other sort of emergency. My intention here is not to be unduly pessimistic, rather to raise people’s awareness of security issues. In the coming months, the Board will be concentrating on safeguarding and security issues, but we’re asking members to participate by giving the safety of the congregation a little more attention.
Thank you!Joanna Koenigsberg, [email protected]
Conversion to Judaism“Your people shall be my people, your God my God” – Ruth, a Moabite woman, to her Jewish mother-in-law.
4Copy date for June Highlight: Friday 15 May
Ruth Oldman, as she was then, and David Franklin first met at a Jewish social club some time during 1954/5. A shared passionate interest in music, along with a similar sense of humour and a profound pleasure in each other’s company, led to their marriage in 1956. These remained the characteristics of their life together with an ability to learn from each other as well. Ruth expanded David’s already established musical knowledge into an appreciation of lieder and chamber music, in particular, as well as American musicals and English music hall songs, and David introduced Ruth to the mysteries of DIY and the lifestyle and preoccupations of an industrial scientist, a new experience for her and for a family for whom NJBs were doctors or accountants or lawyers or teachers!
Ruth had studied music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which she had graduated as a superb pianist with a completely individual style of playing and a piano sound which she passed on to both her daughters, to her piano students, and to her elder daughter’s piano students as well. But Ruth’s other great love was theatre, her second Guildhall study, and she was into amateur theatricals from the word go. She always acted whenever there was an opportunity to do so; later she turned to directing plays and David was happily dragged into being a stage manager, special effects man, gadget maker and sound engineer.
On top of all this she found time to produce two superb daughters and run a wonderful, comfortable and stimulating home life of love and laughter. She was a terrific mother and companion to the two girls, for whom she was a role model, instilling standards of behaviour and achievement which made them into the rounded personalities they became. They learned from her that trying to achieve the best you could do was the only way to do things, whether it was in music performance, theatre work or running a household. And above all, that life was for living to the full. She was proud of her family and cherished her household and, when the grandchildren came along, she loved them too and was proud of them, following their progress and achievements avidly.
Ruth was innately creative, her productions won prizes with difficult plays at amateur drama festivals. And she was always on the lookout for some exciting new challenge. She was the ultimate creator and indispensable manager of Crotchets, the restaurant/chamber music venue which she and David came to South London to set up. They arrived in 1983 in their house on Denmark Hill and ran the enterprise there from 1985 to 1989. She did the catering and he did the paperwork, which enabled him to continue his professional career as a computer scientist at the same time.
But her biggest achievement was the conception and setting-up of Jewish Community Theatre, a registered charity with the remit of exploring the British Jewish experience through the medium of theatre, an enterprise which kept herself and David busy in retirement. It had a chequered history, starting in 1991 and being wound up in 2003, but for a time it was a power in the land, providing a stimulus for the creation and production of Jewish plays and playwriting and generating an interest in Jewish-interest theatre generally.
As her health deteriorated Ruth’s energies waned and damped her enthusiasms, but there were always the memories and the family to engage her thoughts and, as Judith said at Ruth’s funeral, we have all been left with the greatest gift any family could be given, the gift of love.Condensed by David Franklin from the eulogies spoken by him, Judith and Rachel at Ruth’s funeral on 6 April 2015.
Ruth Franklin: A Life - 15 March 1931 to 27 March 2015 Your Golden Opportunity to visit Israel, Jerusalem and the Hebrew University,Living Legacy Mission: 21-28 October 2015.• Scheduled daytime flights from and
to London• Stay in a top class hotel• Expert guided tours of Jerusalem and
its environs in air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guides
• Delicious kosher cuisine at top restaurants
• Discover and be inspired by one of the world’s top 100 universities – the Hebrew University of Jerusalem – with exclusive, personal one-to-one access to the Hebrew University’s eminent teaching staff, researchers and enthusiastic students
• Relax in a safe, secure and welcoming environment
For further information contact:Gill BensonBritish Friends of the Hebrew University of JerusalemSupreme House, 300 Regents Park Road, N3 2JX
Tel 020 8349 5757 or [email protected]; www.bfhu.org
To qualify you should be over 60, able to attend the full programme and willing to commit a legacy to the University of £15,000 per person (£25,000 per couple).
999 Clubneeds your donations!
Kids’ and adults’ clothes, food.Please bring them to shul and earn a thank you from people who don’t have as much in life as we do and need a helping hand.
5Copy date for June Highlight: Friday 15 May
Cheder News Social Centre News
Hello, all of you interested in our Cheder News! All parents please note: We are entering a part of our calendar full of bank holidays, half terms and Children’s Services. This means that the Cheder’s “opening hours” can become a bit unpredictable – so please check the calendar below or on the website if you’re unsure whether or not Cheder is open on any given Sunday. 1. Our Cheder Seder was a tremendous success! The children themselves were fantastic at reading the Haggadah and at helping me lead their friends as well as the grown ups in attendance. Many thanks to all of you who sent in food to share and to those of you who stayed to help prepare, serve and clean up. 2. The first day back after our Passover Holidays was Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Memorial Day. The Cheder children joined the rest of our community for the service in memory of the victims of the Holocaust and many participated by reading selected passages for the service. The children behaved with maturity and respect and I was so pleased that so many parents were able to attend.3. At the time of writing the next holiday due to be celebrated was Yom Ha’atzmaut - Israeli Independence Day on Sunday, 26 April. We planned to celebrate it with a small party with falafel and other Israeli culinary delights, followed by a special Israeli themed assembly, concluding with a
rendering of ‘HaTikvah’.4. Family Services are continuing, with one planned every other month. These are Rabbi-led family-friendly services (not to be confused with Children’s Services, which are led by the children). They’re shorter and the music is a bit bouncier than regular services, so why not give one a try?5. Our next Children’s Service has been planned for 20 June. That is on a Saturday and you know what that means? Cheder will be on Saturday instead of Sunday! Please make sure you come on Saturday, as the children will be leading this service full of songs. And whatever you do, don’t come on Sunday the 21st or you will be very lonely and on your own! (It also means you can celebrate Father’s Day that Sunday. You’re welcome.)
That’s all for now… With best wishes for a happy and healthy May,
Vicki, [email protected]
Revised Term Dates, Shavuot TermSunday, 19 April – 26 April
NO CHEDER - BANK HOLIDAY,
3 May
Sunday, 10 May - 17 May
NO CHEDER – Half Term 24 May - Shavuot service at 10.30 am
Children’s Service! Cheder on Satur-day, 20 June
NO CHEDER, Sunday 21 June
Sunday, 31 May - Sunday, 12 July
Cheder teachers, helpers and children lighting memorial candles at the Yom Hashoah service on Sunday, 19 April.
We had a well-attended morning on 22 April, including welcom-
ing back Norman and Joy Goldberg, who have been away for some time. As Andreas was away on holiday, we did not have the usual exercises, so our dis-cussion went on longer than usual.
Lionel started the discussion by asking us what we thought generally of the election coverage and how we rated the speakers for the various political parties, in particular. Most of us were unimpressed, but the discussion, which became quite heated at times, concen-trated on the immigration problem. Most people were sympathetic, but it was pointed out that there would be more problems if we allowed hundreds of asylum speakers into the country, as we are already having trouble coping.
After the usual enjoyable lunch we were entertained by our two “wandering minstrels”, David and Tom, who came to give us the benefit of their vast record collection. I am sure they try to match their selection of music to the age of their audience, which means we do get to hear some golden oldies. However, I notice they do sneak some jazz records in, which I suspect is their preferred choice. I noticed also that a couple of records they played lulled some of us to sleep. which must be a little disconcert-ing for David and Tom, but nevertheless they carry on regardless.
The whole morning was very enjoy-able and I am sure we all looked forward to the next one.
Zelda Stone
Social Centre Diary Dates
Wednesday 13 MayAndreas will talk about his work as a physiotherapist.
Wednesday 27 MayExercises, socialising and lunch.Hearing aid clinic, 10.30-12 noon
Preparing lunch at the Social Centre
Knit and NatterThe next ‘Knit and Natter’ will be on Monday, 18 May, from 2.30 to 4 pm at Pauline Jeffree’s home.
Pauline writes: “We always have lots of things to talk about and knitting projects to help with. Please join us for tea/coffee and cake.”There are parking facilities within the grounds of Park Court or nearby, while buses 162 and 358 stop very close to the building.
Please ring Pauline on 020 8650 4860 or email [email protected] to say you are coming.
6Copy date for June Highlight: Friday 15 May
The Nuremberg Trials and their AftermathWe have just commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen 70 years ago and we will shortly celebrate the 70th anniversary of VE Day, 8 May, 1945.
These events were followed in Germany by the Nuremberg Trials.
Do come and join us for a
Friday Night Oneg on 19 June, following the 6.45 pm service, with a Bring-and-Share Supper, when
Lawyer Ruth Moshinsky will be speaking to us.Ruth writes: “In 1945 after the defeat of Nazi Germany, the German hierarchy were brought to trial in Nuremberg by the victors of the war. There were 13 trials which sought to judicially denazify Germany. The development of the law that underpinned these prosecutions continues to this day”.
Further details from Monica Weil, [email protected] Barbara Kurtz, [email protected]
Are you still in the Loop?In the past month or two (to my knowledge – it could be longer) several members have dropped off the distribution list and e-lights for others have ‘bounced’ more than once. Our already overworked webmaster has been seeking technical help. If you happen to be an IT professional and think you can identify and solve the problem, he would love to hear from you.
In addition, however, I need everyone’s assistance. Some people just think we haven’t been sending it out recently. Not so. Please let me know if your e-lights do not arrive (usually Tuesday evening), so that we can monitor what is going on. Many thanks.
And, of course, please let me know if you have items for inclusion.
You can contact both Kieron and me at [email protected]
What does Kashrut mean to you?Something my grandmother did, but meaningless to me personallyAn important part of being Jewish No porkSeparation of milk and meatNo shellfishAnimals should be slaughtered without stunning I keep it at home, but not when I eat out......
What does the Bible say about it? What do the Rabbis of the Talmud say about it?
Express your views and listen to those of others. Maybe even change your views?!
This sicha (discussion) unfortunately twice had to be postponed through unforeseen circumstances, but now I hope to see you on Thursday, 14 May. We shall start with a cup of tea/coffee at 7.30 pm and finish no later than 9.30.
John [email protected]
L to R, Jo Jaeckel, Judi Sheffrin and Jo’s work colleague Jenny completed a 5km swim in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care on 19 April. They wish to thank all the kind people who sponsored them. And it is not too late! If you go to https://my.swimathon.org/sponsor/not-waving-but-drowning and click on Sponsor Us, it should still accept your donation. Or just hand us used fivers next time we meet. Thank you
Social and Personal
7Highlight, May 2015 - Iyar/Sivan 5775
BIRTH - Ann Fried writes: “We would like you to know that our seventh grandchild was born on Wednesday, 15 April: Zachary Edward Fried, a son for Ben and Katie, a brother for Maia and Jacob and more joy for Joram and Ann.”
BAR MITZVAH - A hearty Mazal Tov to Toby Millis and his family on the occasion of his bar mitzvah, which he will celebrate on Saturday, 2 May, Shabbat Emor.
DEATH - We are very sad to report the death of our member Ruth Franklin and extend sincere condolences to her husband, David Franklin, and their daughters, Judith and Rachel and their families. A tribute to Ruth appears on page 4 of Highlight.
BEREAVEMENT - Sincere condolences to Joan Payne and her family on the sad loss of her daughter Madeleine on 9 April at the age of 47. Madeleine and her brother Jason were pupils of Bromley Cheder in the early days and subsequently moved to Hove.
GET WELL SOON to Bob Harmes Pauline Jeffree adds: “We are thinking of all those who are unwell at this time and wish them a speedy recovery.”
Warm thanks from Miriam Wellbrook and childrenWe would very much like to thank all at Bromley Shul for the wonderful support we have received and continue to receive after Derek’s passing. As you can imagine it was a dreadful shock and his loss is continually felt. However, the wonderful sentiments we have received both verbally and written have been of great comfort to us. To hear your wonderful stories about Derek and that he was very well liked amongst all the different age groups at shul has helped us enormously.
We would also like to thank both Rabbi Jason Holtz and Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild for the tremendous support given at Derek’s levoyah. What was already a very stressful and upsetting day was compounded by the events which occurred, but the warmth, understanding and support the Rabbis extended to us was greatly appreciated.
Thank you all once again.
Miriam Wellbrook and family
SE10 and BeyondMichelle Brooks-Evans writes:On Friday, 10 April we had a delightful Passover seder, which was attended by 18 people, a wonderful mix of ages. We shared the short service and gave a rousing rendition of Dayenu. This was followed by dinner and yummy Passover puddings. Thanks to everyone for bringing wine, chocolates and food for the evening.
On Tuesday, 19 May we shall be discussing “marrying out” and the impact on us and Judaism in general. We will have another evening in June and one in July (dates to be decided) and these will have the subjects of Yiddish and of Jews in Film.
For further details contact Michelle on [email protected] or 07956 235309
Letters to the Editor:Support For Rabbi Jason HoltzFrom Michael HarrisI was delighted to read the article titled ‘Now What’ by Rabbi Jason Holtz, the contents of which I endorse. Should Netanyahu carry out his threats both Israel and the Middle East would be in a worse mess than it is at present. We Jews are all sympathetic to the dangers and problems that residents in Israel face daily and how security is of prime importance for them. Nevertheless, there can be little doubt that there are often times when the Israelis can be downright obstinate. A solution to their problems without two states being in existence and living side by side will be no solution at all.
Yours sincerely, Michael Harris, Eastbourne
Jean and Martin Taylor write:Congratulations to Rabbi Jason Holtz on putting such a fair and well expressed opinion about Israel in the April Highlight. It is a difficult subject to discuss without getting into an argument (as we all know!), so we are particularly grateful to Jason for the clarity of his expression and his views. “Strength to your arm” as my mother used to say.
Best wishes to all our old Bromley friends - we miss you!
Yours,Jean and Martin Taylor Whetstone N20
Important notice2016 Bromley Reform Synagogue calendar Coming soon will be a calendar by and for our members, so look out later in the year. We will be using artwork from all types of media and some wonderful photos of our community by Bob Symonds. These photos may contain you or your family, as they were taken at Synagogue or at Synagogue occasions. If you have an objection to the use of your picture, please email me by May 31, otherwise we will presume your agreement. It’s going to be a great community collaboration.Michelle [email protected]
Toby Millis will celebrate his bar mitzvah on Saturday, 2 May
Thanks to the congregationDavid Franklin and his family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to Rabbi Jason Holtz and the entire BRS community for the wonderfully compassionate and practical support we have received following the recent death of David’s wife Ruth. Bromley is a marvellous community and we feel fortunate and privileged to belong to it.
Donating to the Board of DeputiesMembers will by now have received a letter from the Chair inviting them to donate to the Board of Deputies. Our dedicated representative on the Board is Joe Millis, who recently began his second term of office.
Joe writes:The Board of Deputies fulfils a vital role in the British Jewish community, given that it is the only cross-communal body that represents all Jews.
On a day-to-day basis, the Board, through its executive, lobbies politicians, policy makers and opinion formers directly and indirectly.
It empowers members of the community directly to engage with the political process, through the media and grassroots campaigns.
It also initiates partnerships and coalitions within and outside the community, especially in the fields of social action and interfaith work.
And in the next triennial I hope to be able to get the Board to deal more with issues facing the community, such as the cost of Jewish living, help for the growing number of elderly and the rising numbers of young Jews leaving the community.
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner was recently featured in The Times in connection with her plan to become a modern shadchan. She was quoted as saying “we want to help people to meet other Jews, those who are interested in living a Jewish life. Both relationships, straight or gay, can have kedushah, holiness”.
The Reform and Liberal synagogue movements have sanctioned gay marriage and the Senior Rabbi to the Movement for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, believes there could be more. Yet Jewish gay men and women have difficulty finding a partner that share their faith. “Many are terribly lonely,” she says.
The rabbi’s idea is to establish the first matchmaking service for gay people with herself as the “pink shadchan”. She is acting because she receives numerous requests from the Jewish gay community asking her to matchmake for them. She is now planning to formalise the service by launching a website.
It will not have the blessing of the
much larger Orthodox community. Rabbi Alan Plancey, former minister of Britain’s second-largest Orthodox synagogue, Borehamwood and Elstree, says: “I have great sympathy with gay people who are lonely, but there is no question that single-sex relationships are contrary to the Halachah, Jewish law”.
Rabbi Laura is unrepentant. “Halachah has always been changing. I believe that gay people have as much right to sanctification of their relationships as everyone else. But it is very difficult. People live in bubbles. The point to make is that we want to help people to meet other Jews. Both relationships, straight or gay, can have kedushah, holiness.”
She says she is speaking from personal experience. “My husband and I were introduced by a shadchan — and so were my parents. It’s part of a golden tradition, but it shouldn’t be regarded as an old-fashioned thing to do. . . no one should think of gay people as being any different in that regard.
Source: MRJ website
The Rabbi who can Catch you a Catch as part of the service
8Highlight, May 2015 - Iyar/Sivan 5775
WIZO Coffee MorningThursday 7 May,
from 10.30 amA coffee morning to promote WIZO’s nationwide Jewish Women’s Week, which runs from 3 to 10 May.
Come to Marilyn Burchell’s in Beckenham for a chat and refreshments and, of course, your
donations will be very welcome. Ring Marilyn on 020 8658 4776 or e-mail [email protected] for directions.
People from every walk of life can leave a legacyto Jewish Care and make an extraordinarydifference to the people we help and care for.
To find out more, please call Alison Rubenstein on 020 8922 2833 or email [email protected]
jewishcare.org/legacy
Harry (care home resident) REMEMBER
Charity Reg No. 802559
Bromley Reform Legacy advert 120x120mm_Layout 1 21/03/2014 12:10 Page 1
SERVICESMay 2015 – Iyar/Sivan 5775All Fridays at 6.45 pm, unless otherwise stated.Saturdays at 10.30 am, unless otherwise statedFriday 1 MaySaturday 2 May
Kedoshim (12 Iyar)Bar Mitzvah of Toby Millis
Friday 8 MaySaturday 9 May
Emor (19 Iyar)
Friday 15 MaySaturday 16 May
Behar-Bechukotai (26 Iyar)
Tuesday 19 May Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Friday 22 MaySaturday 23 May
Bamidbar (5 Sivan)
Saturday 23 May
Sunday 24 May
Erev Shavuot - Service at 7.30 pm followed by a tikkun on “What does it mean to become Jewish? Learning from the Book of Ruth”SHAVUOTService at 10.30 am
Friday 29 MaySaturday 30 May
Naso (12 Sivan)
Maccabi GB Family Fun RunSunday, 14 June,at Allianz Park NW41, 5 and 10 Km, plus new 5 Km walk and Tri-RunCome and help raise funds for MRJ
Talmud Study ClassesRabbi Jason Holtz, instructorThe Talmud is the foundational literature of Rabbinic Judaism. Full of legend and law, its teachings have guided Jews for thousands of years, and it is still hugely influential.Students should bring their own copy of Tractate Berachot and they are recommended to bring a Tenach (Bible) as well.The course will meet on Thursdays, 7 and 21 May from 10:30-11:45 am. For more information, please contact Rabbi Jason Holtz on 020 8460 5460 or Barbara Kurtz by e-mail at [email protected]
Introduction to Judaismtaught by Rabbi Jason HoltzThis Sunday morning series will resume in May with a new topic: Introduction to the Jewish Life Cycle, with sessions on 10 and 17 May.All the courses will be held in the Sanctuary and will run from 10:00-11:00 am
“What does it mean to become Jewish? Learning from the Book of Ruth”
Celebrating Shavuoton Erev Shavuot (Saturday, 23 May) there will be a service at 7.30 pm followed by a tikkun with cheesecake on the above topicThere will be the customary Festival morning serice at 10.30 am on Sunday, 24 May.
9Highlight, May 2015 - Iyar/Sivan 5775
Shirei Chagigah - A celebration of music and prayer incorporating the MRJ Choirs Festival9-12 July at North Western Reform Synagogue, Alyth Gardens NW11Shirei Chagigah is the new name for the Movement for Reform Judaism’s biennial music conference. It means ‘songs of celebration’ and reflects the celebration of music and prayer which we will enjoy over this very special weekend.
It will give you the tools and experiences to learn about and enjoy Jewish music and tefillah (prayer) and is an opportunity to learn from the world’s foremost experts in the field of Jewish liturgical music.
Shirei Chagigah is not only for people who love to sing! For the first time we will be adding an extra dimension by having a programming stream dedicated to those in our communities who lead Shabbat services. Our Shaliach Tzibbur course is designed for you, whether you have been leading services for many years or it’s something you would like to start doing. It will be taught both by our American faculty and by our own rabbis and cantors.
In addition the MRJ Choirs Festival will take place on the Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and will be run by Cantor Cheryl Wunch and Viv Bellos, Director of Music at Alyth. The festival aims to enthuse, encourage and inspire synagogue choirs of all abilities from around the country. If you wish to join for the whole event, entry to the Choirs Festival is included, or if you wish to attend for the choirs festival only then please select the Choirs Festival option. For further details please contact [email protected] or [email protected] or 020 8445 6763.
Come and join us as part of a truly memorable weekend where you can learn for yourself and learn to take back to your community.
10Copy date for June Highlight: Friday 15 May
Dates for Your DiaryMayF 1
S 2 Kedoshim - Bar mitzvah of Toby Millis
S 3 No Cheder today!
M 4
T 5
W 6
Th 7 Lag b’Omer - WIZO coffee morning from 10.30 am at Marilyn Burchell’sTalmud Study, 10.30-11.45 am
F 8
S 9 Emor
S 10 Introduction to Judaism, 10-11 amJubilee Lecture by Prof. Alison Wolf, 7.15 for 8 pm at the Shul
M 11 Torah Text Study Gp, 7.30-9.30 pm at the Shul
T 12
W 13 Social Centre, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm - Talk by Andreas on physiotherapy
Th 14 Sicha on ‘Kashrut’, 7.30-9.30 pm at the Shul
F 15
S 16 Behar-Bechukotai
S 17 Introduction to Judaism, 10-11 am
M 18 “Knit & Natter“, 2.30-4 pm at Pauline’sRabbi Larry Becker on the Temple Mount Sifting Project, 7.30 for 8 pm at the Shul
T 19 Rosh Chodesh SivanSE10 and beyond on “Marrying Out”, 7.30 pm at Michelle’s
W 20
Th 21 Talmud Study, 10.30-11.45 am
F 22
S 23 BamidbarErev Shavuot - Service at 7.30 pm followed by a tikkun on “What does it mean to become Jewish? Learning from the Book of Ruth”
S 24 SHAVUOT - Service at 10.30 amCheder Half Term
M 25 Torah Text Study Gp, 7.30-9.30 pm at the Shul
T 26
W 27 Social Centre, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at the Synagogue Hi Kent clinic, 10.30-12 noon
Th 28
F 29
S 30 Naso
S 31
JuneM 1
T 2
W 3
Th 4 Talmud Study, 10.30-11.45 am
F 5
S 6 Behalotecha
S 7
M 8
T 9
W 10 Social Centre, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at the Synagogue
Th 11
F 12
S 13 Shelach Lecha
S 14 Maccabi GB Family Fun Run at Allianz Park, Hendon NW4
M 15
T 16
W 17
Th 18 Rosh Chodesh TammuzTalmud Study, 10.30-11.45 am
F 19 Oneg with bring-and-share supper after the 6.45 pm service and a talk on the Nuremberg trials
S 20 Korach - Children’s service
S 21 No Cheder today!
M 22
T 23
W 24 Social Centre, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at the Synagogue
Th 25
F 26
S 27 Chukkat
S 28 South London Summer Fete and Fun Day at Croydon Shul
M 29
T 30
The South London Summer Fete and Fun Day 2015will now be on Sunday, 28 Juneat Croydon ShulPut the date in your diaries now!
Contact nos. for subcommittees and other groups
BR5 and 6 and Friends:Jean Garelick, 01689 [email protected]
Board of Deputies Rep.:Joe Millis, 020 8299 [email protected]
Caring Community:Pauline Jeffree, 020 8650 [email protected]
Cheder Head Teacher:Vicki Ashmore, 020 8290 [email protected]
Cheder Security:Tamir Hargittai, 01689 [email protected]
Choir:Dianne Mathews, 01689 [email protected]
Communications:Judi Sheffrin, 07968 [email protected]
Education:Barbara Kurtz, 020 8650 [email protected]
Gan Yeladim:Sue Bowyer, 020 8464 [email protected]
Tracy Frankel, 01732 [email protected]
Horaay Cheder:Dani Hall, 07740 282 [email protected]
Housing, Health and Safety:Graham Harris, 020 8656 [email protected]
Israel Desk:Hugh Lask, 020 8467 [email protected]
J.J.B.S.:Janet Posner, 020 8650 [email protected]
Kiddush Rota:Harriet Posner, 07810 [email protected]:Judi Sheffrin, 07968 324981 [email protected]
Membership Inquiries:Janet Burlem, 020 8460 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:Bob Symonds, 020 8402 [email protected]
Religion and Ritual:Daniel Posner, 07866 761 [email protected]
SACRESamantha Barnett, 020 8467 [email protected]
School Visits Coordinator:Marilyn Freeman, 020 8650 [email protected]
SE10 and BeyondMichelle Brooks-Evans, 020 8293 [email protected]
SecurityGraham Harris, 020 8656 [email protected]
Social Centre:Dianne Mathews, 01689 [email protected]
Subscriptions:Janet Posner, 020 8650 [email protected]
Website:Kieron Hyams, 07980 [email protected]
Youth:Linda de Lange, 020 8858 [email protected]
11Highlight, May 2015 - Iyar/Sivan 5775
Highlight Advertising
Fill this Space!Advertise your business and support your shul by advertising in Highlight. £80 will secure you a box measuring 100 mm x 120 mm for a whole year (11 issues)
Contact Dianne Mathews ([email protected];
01689 826096) or the Editor ([email protected]) today.
A constituent of the Movement for Reform Judaism – www.reformjudaism.org.uk
BEAUTIFUL CARDS for every occasion
A percentage of every sale will go to the Synagogue. Details, prices and samples from Judi Sheffrin: 07968 324981 [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 1098431. Bromley and District Reform Synagogue Ltd. is a Company limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company Registration number 4583645.
BACK PAIN?We offer effective treatment for back and neck problems, sciatica, sports
injuries and much more.
Andreas Jochim DO MScCandice McKendrick
M.Ost DO ND12 Station Approach Hayes
Bromley Kent BR2 7EH020 8650 0509
www.strawberryhouseclinic.co.uk
TOTALCOMPUTERS
for all your computer needs
Don’t let a virus have the last word
Call MichaelPC Problems
No job too smallPhone and Fax01322 667061
