Chanukah, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight day festival which commemorates two important events. Firstly, we remember the victory of the few Jewish rebels over the might of the Seleucid army. Secondly we remember that when these Jewish fighters lead by Judah HaMaccabee and his brothers rededicated the Temple, they lit one jar of oil that could reasonably last for one day, yet it lasted for eight full days. First Chanukah light : Monday 22nd dec 2008 8th day ends : Tuesday December 30th 2008 |
Chanukah - Seeing the Spirit
Channuka is good fun. We love lighting the Channuka lights in winter, giving and receiving gifts and eating those most unhealthy of seasonal foods... But what can Channuka teach us. Can we learn from it? Can we come away from it with something meaningful? Read more |
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Fast of Esther: Monday March 9th 2009 Purim: Tuesday March 10th 2009 |
Quick Guide to Purim
On Purim, we have four mitzvot, or obligations to fulfil:
1. Hearing the Megillat Esther being read.
2. Giving gifts to friends.
3. Giving gifts to the poor.
4. Eating a festive meal.
Find out more in the full article Read more |
Purim - Everything was topsy-turvy
I think that Purim is a quite wonderful festival. It does not necessitate the complicated halachic knowledge of Pesach. It has none of the awe of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It is a festival of simplicity. We are overjoyed simply because we are alive! Purim is a day when we see the Jewish people at their best – proclaiming God’s Providence to the world, being a united people, and helping the poor. Read more |
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Search for chametz: No Chametz after : TBA First day commences : Thu April 9th 2009 Pesach terminates : Thu April 16th 2009 |
Pesach: What we do and Why we do it
I would like to lay in front of you a description of the basic customs of the Pesach Festival, what in fact these customs entail and why we do them. This will hopefully give your Seder and Pesach festival that bit more spirit and meaning! Read more |
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Commences: Fri May 29th 2009 Terminates: Sat May 30th 2009 |
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Commences : Wed July 29th 2009 Terminates : Thursday July 30th 2009 |
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Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, but also a day of G-d's judgment of the Jewish people and of the whole world. It contains a mixture of seriousness because G-d is judging and joy because on this day of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish people crown G-d as King over His universe. Commences: Sat 19th September 2009
Terminates : Sun 20th September 2009 |
ROSH HASHANAH – THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH
I was recently asked the most elusive of questions – “How do you define Judaism?” This certainly wouldn’t be one for my monthly Question and Answer session in Shul, but it certainly is a question that constantly needs referring to if we can be proud of ourselves as Jews. It might be however that the intricate Jewish year can give us a window onto our faith. Read more |
Tashlich & honey cake
Tashlich and Honey Cake
Come along on first day Rosh Hashana at 5.30pm at the River Thames for the Rosh Hashana custom of throwing our misdeeds into the river and have some honey cake and a drink with some friends and the Rabbi. Just come along! Read more |
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Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement. It is a day on which the Jewish nation all over the world congregate in prayer and ask and receive forgiveness for the years misgivings. It is a chance G-d has given us for a new beginning on a better path in life. Commences: Monday 27th September 2009 Terminates: Tuesday 28th September 2009 |
YOM KIPPUR - A DAY OF NATIONAL UNITY
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is a day that revolves around asking forgiveness of God for our sins, as well as asking forgiveness for our harming of other people. This seems to be the focus of the day. Read more |
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Succot is the festival where we take our living and move it into a temporary abode. We eat, sleep and study in our Succa. Added to this, we are commanded to take four species that sustain themselves from water with which we pray that God will being the appropriate amount of water upon us and upon our brethren in the Land of Israel. Succot is a festival which bounds with joy.....so enjoy it! 1st day commences: Sat Oct 3rd 2009 2nd day Terminates: Sun Oct 4th 2009 |
Succot - The Festival of Joy
The festival of Succot is full of symbols. But how might one encapsulate this special festival? We could associate freedom from slavery with Pesach and the Giving of the Torah with Shavuot. But Succot? Read more |
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Commences : Sat Oct 10th |
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Terminates : Sun Oct 11th 2009 |
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