3RD FEBRUARY 2012
Congratulations!
Mazeltov to Philippa & Simon Lester and Sheila Lester on the birth of their granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Georgina Hannah, a daughter for Erica & Ben Fearnley.
From our President, Paul Berwin
Well, after the excitement of the Shabbaton Choir Concert, the next big thing coming up is theQuiz on 12 February – and if you haven’t been, this long-running quiz is the undisputed king (and queen) of quizzes in Leeds, having seen off some rival upstarts over the years. Always striving to be better and more innovative – come along in droves.
Last Sunday we were at the powerful Holocaust Memorial Day event at Leeds Town Hall,on behalf of the shul. A member correctly pointed out to us that this isn’t noted in the shul calendar (and we also didn’t announce it in the bulletin or in shul). It isn’t, and we didn’t, but we should and we will.
I think all who came enjoyed the learning shabbat sessions – we had a very good turnout, and we should look to build on these as beacons during the calendar; that we are able to provide interesting speakers from within our own community is excellent. Pam and Philip Glynn have now handed over the cholent making duties to a new generation, and we are very grateful to them for establishing this tradition so firmly at the shul, and for nourishing us in body after we have been nourished in mind. If in the future some learning shabbatot are cholent-less, it'll because they don't coincide with school holidays, when the new crew are able to get a massive cholent together.
We've been looking at what our "rules" are for what we do and don't publicise in this bulletin. Sometimes there are grey areas and sometimes things slip through but generally:
- if a member is doing a charity fundraising event through raising individual sponsorship we will publicise thisup to two times;
- however, if some or all of the fundraising is for the UHC we will publicise it without a number limit - we are setting up an account with VirginMoneyGiving.com to help people do this;
- we will publicise events for organisations which the shul financially supports, through your subscriptions, and is organically connected to - these include the Talmud Torah, Representative Council, Leeds Jewish Orthodox Youth (LJOY), Chevra Kadisha and Leeds Jewish Orthodox Cemeteries (LJOC) - not on the basis that they are "good causes" which we might like;
- we can't publicise events for other organisations which members are also members of, because there'd be no end to it, and the bulletin would then become a communal noticeboard.
Hope that's clear and fair - please be nice to us if something slips through though, or you don't like how we have judged a borderline case.
Shabbat 11 February we are, for the first time, hosting the Maccabi Shabbat. We are working on some innovative ideas to make this special for theMaccabi kids and their parents/grandparents, so make sure you’re there for something a bit different. If you are involved in sport, have a child or grandchild involved in sport generally or specifically in Maccabi – please make sure you and they come along for a Sporting Shabbat. There should be some more detail in next week’s bulletin.
What's happening at the UHC
This week:
Kabbalat Shabbat
If you really want an inspiring service, the best of the week is undoubtedly on Friday evening - this week it's at 4.31pm, finishing by approximately 5.30pm - if you haven't been for a while, come and see what you're missing.
Tu B’Shevat
There will be a Tu B’Shevat seder party this Shabbat in the Reception Room for all children, after a short children's service.
Dor Chadash
- this week it will be taking place in the Reception Room, led by Robert Dewar
New Generation
- this week it will also be taking place in the Reception Room, led by Samantha Dante
Intra-Communal Football Tournament
Please come along to the Intra-Communal 5-a-Side Football Tournament, taking place at the Grammar School this Sunday, 5th February (kick-off 3.30pm), and featuring the UHC Cougars, Etz Chaim Eagles, BHH Hawks and Sinai Sharks. Come along and support the UHC Cougars – the 2011 Champions!
Coming up:
UHC Quiz
UHC'as da be the best quiz! Sunday February 12th at 6.45pm.
15 including supper. 18's and under 10
Openers: Leila Ableson and Fenella Conway
Guests of Honour: Michelle and Stewart Lewis
Please book through the shul office by 12pm on Sunday 5th February.
Regularevents and noticesupdate
Members Shabbat
This year’s Members Shabbat is taking place on Parshat Tzav, Shabbat 31st March 2012.
We would like to invite any ladies or gentlemen who wish to take part to come forward and get in touch with Chazan Alby.
We will provide all necessary help and guidance in this unique opportunity.
Albert.sebastian.chait@gmail.comor 07704484074.
UHC Bookshop
NOW IN STOCK – 2012 Kosher Food Guide! The bookshop is open on Sunday mornings 10.30am-12.30pm or please contact Ros & Stanley Barnett on 225 2752 for an appointment on another day.
Scribe
Scribe is conducting a Pesach survey and are appealing to UHC members to take 2 minutes to answer 4 questionson the attached questionnaire. Please fill it out and return it to uhc.scribe@googlemail.com or drop it into the shul office. Please can you return your answers by midday on Sunday 12th February 2012 - a prize will be awarded for the best answer! This questionnaire is open to all ages.
Members’ news
If you have news which may be of interest to members (not promoting other organisation's events, please) such as sponsorship being sought, please send these in for consideration in the next Bulletin.
Bnei Akiva
BA is on this week, meeting at Gourmet at 3.15pm or here at the UHC at 3.30pm – finishing at 5.30pm.
Dads & Lads (for the boys of Dor Chadash)
Dads & Lads, please come along to our Sunday morning group for pre and post Barmitzvah boys! The programme this week will commence at 8.15am with Lashon Tov, followed by Shacharit at 8.30am. There will then be Rabbi Levy’s Chessed discussion group for the adults and a parallel discussion group run by Chazan Alby for the boys of Dor Chadash age. Both groups will include a delicious bagel breakfast!
The Jewish Historical Society
The Jewish Historical Society is meeting here on Monday 6th February at 8pm, when Dr Sharman Kadish, the Director of Jewish Heritage UK, will speak on “The Synagogues of Britain and Ireland – An Architectural and Social History – Examples from Leeds and Bradford”. After the illustrated talk there will be a book signing of her books by Dr Kadish.
Chazan Alby
A reminder that Chazan Alby is available on Wednesday evenings for help on a one-to-one basis with davening and any Haftorah, by prior appointment.
Jewish Women Post Bereavement Support
Women who have suffered a loss and would like to talk can telephone the Jewish Women Post Bereavement Support Group, a confidential listening service, on 0113 827 2114. There is a 24 hour answerphone, excludingShabbat and Yom Tov.
Sponsoring a Seudah
If anyone would like to sponsor a Seudah on a Shabbat afternoon, please contact the office to check availability. The cost is 50. The Seudahs recommence on 11th February.
Hospital and Pastoral Visits
We would like to ask all members and their families to notify the Shul office or Ministers direct if any member is ill, in hospital or would like a pastoral visit. Unfortunately, all too often we don’t know someone is in need or would like a visit until it is too late and our clergy want to ensure that NO-ONE is missed.