Leeds Day Limmud- get involved?

A date for your diaries!

Hot off the press, the 2009 Leeds Day Limmud will take place on Sunday 15th November 2009. If you want to get involved in helping to organise the event, there are spaces left on all of the sub-committees from Programming to Publicity to Finance to Catering.

If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Dolf Mogendorff at dolf@mogendorff.com or Ruth Baumberg at r_treehill@hotmail.com

LJI- Casino Royale

25th October: 9.00 p.m.- 2.00 a.m.

Join us at Leeds' newest and most glamorous location for a night of Bond filled entertainment.

We will have a cocktail reception from 9pm with a free drink and nibbles, a poker lesson and *fun play* tournament to follow with a chance to win 3 great prizes, live music and DJ to dance the night away!

Ring the above number or contact LJI for more information

New websites...

There are two new or updated websites to check out

1. Website of Beth Hemedrash Hagadol (Street Lane Synagogue) have newly launched: http://www.bhhs.co.uk/. It gives information about the synagogue, its history and service times. It also includes information that is relevant to smichot (celebrations) and bereavement.

2. Radio Jcom (http://www.radiojcom.com/) have updated their website with a very modern design. It gives programme information as well as a biography of all the presenters. You can also sign their guestbook or comment in their forum. Last, but not least, you can listen to the radio station online, hearing the latest news as well as great music.

I have put both these websites on a updated list of Leeds Jewish websites to be found here

Mitzvah Day

Please keep the 16th November free. "Mitzvah Day" is a national and international day of action and volunteering. Here in Leeds we will make this into a real event that will bring the whole community together in a fun, purposeful way. You will have a chance to see what opportunities there are to get involved with in Leeds and get a taste of how rewarding it is to volunteer.

There will be a range of individual and group activities happening in both the community centre and Donisthorpe Hall. In the evening, everyone will get together to celebrate. Stay tuned for more details!

Symposia (or: get your thinking caps on)

This is a little bit of advanced warning!

I want this blog to not only to be a line of communication in terms of telling you what is happening in the community, but also a forum for discussion and for everyone to have their say.

What I propose is that we have bi-monthly symposia on a particular issue. We we will spend two months focusing on a particular question and discussing the answers to it. Responses will be invited from all relevant parties and all people who the issue affects, and these will be posted on the blog. You can then comment on what has been said, or write your own post in response. In fact, I want to directly encourage people who normally don't have (or don't feel they have) a say in the community to write a piece. I will make sure that the people 'in the know' read your posts and respond to it. This is a great opportunity for constructive dialogue.

Questions that I have thought of (although they may be subject to change) are the following:

1. What provisions does Leeds provide for younger people and how can these be improved?
2. What are the priorities for the Leeds community and how can our resources be best directed to achieve them?
3. What is the relationship between the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of Leeds? What is the best way for the Jewish community to contribute to wider society?
4. How should we present Leeds image to other Jews? What are its strong points and what practical ways can we get this message across?
5. What is the single most important provision, project, shop or service that can be set up in the coming year and how can we secure funding for it?
6. How can we improve Jewish education in Leeds and get people interested in these opportunities?

Have a think. I'll start this project soon and advertise it in The Times and The Jewish Telegraph (or at least, the Jewish Telegraph!). Remember: next time you have an opinion about Leeds Jewry, don't gossip about it, BLOG IT! :-)

Shabbat times - 19th-20th September

Shabbat starts: 06.53 p.m

Shabbat ends: 07.59 p.m.

SERVICE TIMES
(Please note: I have only put up times I have been given/ could find. In future weeks, these listings will be more comprehensive)

Etz Chaim
Friday night- 6.53 p.m.
Shabbat morning- 9.15 a.m.
Mincha- 6.30 p.m.
Maariv- 7.59 p.m.

Street Lane
Friday night- 6.30 p.m.
Shabbat morning (main service)- 9.15 a.m.
Mincha- 7.05 p.m.

Sinai
Friday night- 6.30 p.m.
Shabbat morning- 10.30 a.m.

Join the oldest Jewish conversation on earth!

Interested in improving your Jewish education in a fun, exciting challenging way? If so, you can join in with a "unique learning opportunity" that is taking place in Leeds. Created by Hebrew University, the Florence- Melton Adult Mini-School is one of the most successful Jewish study programmes. According to its website at http://www.fmams.org.il: "The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a world pioneer in the field of adult Jewish education.... the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world." It is set apart by its commitment to learning, sophisticated curriculum, quality teaching and its relationship between Israel and the diaspora. Best of all.... there are no exams! Just turn up for two hours a week and enjoy!

Having started in Leeds in Autumn 2000, it has already inspired over 100 students ably assisted by their teachers Simon Myerson and Judy Plaut. You could be next! Go along to a taster session and see if this opportunity is for you. There will be 'taster sessions' at Sinai on the 20th September and Etz Chaim, UHC and BHH synagogues on Yom Kippur.

If you this session whets your appetite you can sign up for two modules starting on October 28th at the community centre: "Rythms of Jewish Life" and "Purposes of Jewish Life". If you are a 'graduate' of the programme you can take a short course run by Simon Myerson: 'Leviticus- making the dull fascinating'

If you have want any more information about this contact Helen at helen@makor.co.uk

Communal diary: 21st- 29th September

These are the events in the coming week (click to enlarge):

If your event isn't in the communal diary, it is because you haven't let us know that it is happening! To put your event in the diary call 0113 2697520, or to have a flyer psted on this blog email neil@ljrc.org

Bar/Batmitzvah event

Below is the flyer for the Bar and batmitzvah event that is being run for the whole community. See the post below- http://livingjewishinleeds.blogspot.com/2008/09/do-you-know-anyone-of-barbatmitzvah-age.html - for details. Click on the picture to enlarge.

If you know anyone who is of bar or batmitzvah age that hasn't received an invitation, please either direct them to this flyer or get them to contact me at neil@ljrc.org. We have sent to people through their synagogues. However, there may be people that don't belong to a synagogue that might be interested in this event.

LJRC Yearbook- advertising opportunities

Every year, the representative council produces a 'yearbook' which is a valuable resource for the whole community and beyond. In the office we have yearbooks going back to 1970! As it is nearing the new year, we are looking ahead to compiling the yearbook for 2008-09. What it will include:

• Information about all the organisations affiliated with the LJRC (which is basically all the religious and lay organisations in the community)
• A "Who's Who?" of Leeds with a comprehensive phone and email directory
• Dates of Jewish festivals throughout the year
• Contains information about hospital visiting, prison visiting, arrangements in case of bereavement etc
• Kashrut information including all the supervised poulterers, delicatessans, caterers etc
• "A year in life of the Jewish community"
• Various articles from different people in the community

The yearbook goes to all community bodies, advertisers, local libraries, civic authorities as well as lay members of the Leeds Jewish community. It constitutes a comprehensive 'guide' to the community, where all the most important information is gathered in one place and is the first port of call if someone has a question about it. Given its wide readership, it is a great place to advertise your company or organisation. In the past we have had solicitors, watchmakers, schools, estate agents, interfaith organisation etc advertising. There are a wide variety of different options in terms of sizes, position, colour which means that we can cater for the needs of the organisations involves.

If you, or the company you work for, wants to advertise please get in contact with Michele at info@ljrc. There you will be able to get a full price list. This is not only good for the individuals and good for you, but is also a vital source of revenue that allows us to serve the community. Thank you for supporting us!

Newsletter by email

From Rosh Hashanah onwards I will be producing a community newsletter that will contain:

• All the events in the community for the upcoming week
• Future events to look out for
• A close-up on an organisation in the community
• A quick look into an aspect of the community's history
• Give you a glimpse of future plans for the community

The newspaper will be printed out and a certain number will be placed in the synagogues, community centre, Kosherie (etc). However, I plan to send it out via email so that you will receive the newsletter straight to your inbox. This way you will be able to keep up with everything that is happening in the community without having to lift a finger! To this end, I'm going to start to compile an email list. So... if you are interested, please send an email to neil@ljrc.org with "Sign up to email newsletter" in the subject line, and then in the body, put your name and email address.

A positive attitude

It is nice to see enthusiasm about Jewish life in Leeds:

Leeds is currently acclaimed as the fastest growing city in the UK. We at Leeds Lubavitch are certainly upbeat about the growth of Jewish life in Leeds. The Jewish population is on an upward trend, and Jewish awareness has never been so enthusiastic.

Our attitudes are a self-fulfilling prophecy- the more we view Leeds positively, the harder we will work for the community, the better it will come, and the more likely people will stay and move here. Just my two-pences worth

Shabbat times 12-13th September- 13th Ellul

Shabbat starts: 07.11 p.m

Shabbat ends: 08.20 p.m.

SERVICE TIMES
(Please note: I have only put up times I have been given/ could find. In future weeks, these listings will be more comprehensive)

Etz Chaim

Friday night- 7.11 p.m.
Shabbat morning- 9.15 a.m.
Mincha- 6.50 p.m.
Maariv- 8.17 p.m.

Street Lane

Friday night- 6.30 p.m.
Shabbat morning (main service)- 9.15 a.m.
Shabbat morning (Od minyan)- 10.00 a.m.
Shiur followed by mincha- 6.00 p.m.

Sinai

Friday night- 6.30 p.m.
Shabbat morning- 10.30 a.m.

Subscribe to this blog!

I've added a little gadget which you can see on the right-hand side of the page. By clicking on this you will be able to keep up with the latest news without having to keep checking back on this page. You can set it so that whenever a new post is written, it will appear on your homepage, email or desktop.

You decide!

Useful links- local Jewish websites

Please note that the following list isn't a comprehensive list of Jewish-related groups, charities or synagogues in Leeds. I have just listed those oganisations that have a Leeds website. If you find any more, let me know

Community:

Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre- http://www.mazcc.co.uk/

Leeds Jewish Representative Council (umbrella organisation for Leeds organisations)- http://www.ljrc.org/

Radio JCom (community radio station)- http://www.radiojcom.com/

The Kosherie (local delicatessan)- http://www.myers-famous-kosherie.com/index_en.html

Youth:

Brodetsky Primary School- http://www.brodetsky.co.uk/

Habonim Dror (socialist, cultural)- http://www.habodror.org.uk/kenim/leeds/index.html

Bnei Akiva (religious zionist, Modern Orthodox)- http://leedsba.googlepages.com/

JLGB (musical)- http://www.jlgb.org/units.php?unit=Leeds

The Zone (youth activity centre)- http://www.1zone.org.uk/

Young adults:

Leeds J-Soc (for Jewish students at University of Leeds, Leeds Met and surrounding colleges)- http://www.leedsjsoc.co.uk/

Jewish Chaplaincy (Student Rabbi for Leeds)- http://www.jchaplaincy.org/?id=yorkshire

Leeds Jewish Iniative (for 18-35 year olds) - http://www.lji.org.uk/

Leeds Chaverim (20-35, friends and Shabbat dinners)- http://www.leedschaverim.co.uk/

Religious:

United Hebrew Congregation/ Shadwell Lane (Mainstream Orthodox): http://www.uhcleeds.com/

Etz Chaim (Mainstream Orthodox): http://www.etzchaim.co.uk/

Beth Hamedrash Hagadol/ Street lane- http://www.bhhs.co.uk/

Sinai Synagogue (Reform): http://www.sinaisynagogue.org.uk/

Lubavitch Leeds (Chassidic Orthodox): http://www.lubavitchuk.com/centres/centre.asp?c=leeds

Charity/ Welfare organisations:

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board (care servives for the community)- http://www.ljwb.co.uk/

Leeds Jewish Housing Association (comfortable, affordable housing)- http://www.ljha.co.uk/

Jewish National Fund (helping Israel)- www.jnf.co.uk/about/jnf-leeds

Other:

Jewish Telegraph (Leeds news)- http://www.jewishtelegraph.com/lee_news.html

Leeds Maccabi (football team)- http://www.leedsmaccabi.org.uk/

Leeds Pride Awards- http://www.ljwbprideawards.co.uk/

Leeds Jewish International Performing Arts Festival- http://www.leedsjewishfestival.co.uk/

Communal diary- 14th- 20th September

What's going on next week? (Click on the picture below to enlarge:)

If your event isn't on this list, it is because you haven't told the rep council that it is happening! To get your event in the communal diary, phone 0113 269 7520. Alternatively, send an advertisement to onlynameleftever@gmail.com and I will put it up on this blog

Your contribution to the blog

As you can see, one purpose of this blog is for me to tell you about upcoming events. Also, from my side, I will let you know what I'm doing, what my plans are and how I am developing. Most of you will be indirectly paying my wages (!) and so it is important that I am accountable to the community. You will be able to see how the community is developing and what I am doing to that end.

HOWEVER... the blog can be so much more! I aim for it to be a major source of communication and interaction between 'you' and the professionals of the community. Hopefully, if I/we can get the various rabbonim, lay leaders, youth movements, and members of the community both reading and contributing to the blog; then we can create a real feeling of working together and taking the community forward. We will be able to democratize the community!

From the perspective of the professionals, I will invite articles a) laying out what they do b) their vision for the future of Leeds c) what iniatives they are undertaking etc. Doing this will, firstly, humanize these people and you will be able to see the ways in which they are working hard for your benefit. Secondly, the very act of thinking about and writing these articles will help them to re-evaluate their activities and see how the community can be better served. This will create a forward momentum whereby the status quo isn't just accepted, but we see how Leeds can be improved. Thirdly, from this, you can make suggestions, offer encouragement and/or provide a 'bottom-up' perspective about how they can reach more people.

I also want contributions from the 'other side'. This is a forum for the average Joe Bloggs, Jane Doe or Plonie Ben Plonie to have their say. Contributions you can make include the following:

• suggestions for events that you would like to see run
• write a review of an event in the community
• make other people aware of something that is happening that might not get advertised through the normal channels
• tell us what provisions you would like to see that aren't currently available and constructive suggestions about how they could be provided
• suggest an interest group that can be set up and see if there are other like-minded Jews in the community
• bring up an issue that the community needs to address
• highlight the good work done by a particular organisation or person in the community

The most overused phrase I ever heard in a youth-movement was that of 'taking ownership' of something. As cheesy as this is, being a strong community involves everybody having a stake in what happens and feeling that the community is their own. If there were 7000 people, each having an affect on the community, it would be impossible for it not to thrive and grow. If you contribute to the blog and those 'in the know' read it (which I will make sure they will), then this can really happen. Remember, the organisation and leaders have the clout, finances and contacts to make something happen. However, it won't happen unless they have your ideas and support.

Upcoming event: AJEX

The following event is coming up. Please pass details on to anyone who may be interested. The flyer says the following:

Seven Jewish Canadian Airmer will be remembered at Stonefall Airmen's Cemetery, Harrogate, on Sunday 14th September when AJEX participates in the Royal Air Force ceremony to honour the memories of those lost during the last war. Our AJEX Chaplain Rev. Anthony Gilbert will take part in the colourful ceremony in the presence of the Mayor of Harrogate and military senior officers will lay wreaths flanked by many Standards and a Military Band.

Leeds AJEX will lay a wreath and the standard of the Leeds Major Clive Behrens branch of the Royal British Legion will be present.

This annual event is supported by AJEX as the 7 Jewish Airmen have no known relatives able to visit, so afterwards we visit each grave to say Kaddish and dip the two Jewish standards in their honour.

If you want to attend bare in mind the following information. A convoy of cars will leave the car park behind Moortown Casiono at 1.30 p.m. Medals should be worn. You are more than welcome whether you are ex-servicemen or not. If you want more information contact Wilf Jackson on 0113 2934012

Do you know anyone of bar/batmitzvah age?

The community has started the "welcome to the community" project which will give an exciting introduction to Jewish life in Leeds.

The focus of the programme is on the non-religious aspects of community life (the religious side being covered by individual synagogue or teachers). In a child-friendly way, they will learn about the community's history, what the different organisations in Leeds do, and what facilities there are here. This will give them the opportunity to see a living Judaism that can be seen to exist in Leeds. Hopefully, they will form an attachment to the community and begin to feel that they are a warm and valued part of it.

It will also be a good chance to meet and socialise with other Jews of the same age from across Leeds. Hopefully, this will mean friendships will be formed across congregational boundaries. In this way, they will part of one big community. Each session will include time for talking, eating and getting to know each other.

We have planned three sessions, with the first being on October 5th: "Going back to your roots". Meeting at 3.45, there will be an hours 'magical mystery coach tour' around Jewish Leeds. In a brief but entertaining way, they will see the town-centre shops set up by Jews, visit the sights of the old synagogues, hear stories of personalities and events from the past, and see the history of the community as we worked our way up to North Leeds. Then back to the community centre for a specially designed meal, a chance to chat, and to see what's going on at the centre.

All this for FREE!

If you know anyone who has had/having their barmitzvah or batchayil in 2008/09 get them to contact me on 0113 2697520 or email info@ljrc.org.

New JLife out

The new edition of JLife is out for September 2008 (Issue 22). It is a special Rosh Hashanah edition. Features include:

• Pictures of the latest Simchot
• "Not Moving? Improve!"- ways to improve your living space
• "New Year, New Beginning"- A guide to the high holydays by R' Shalom Kupperman
• The latest community news
• "All the Right Moves"- Interview with Russell Manning
• "Sugar & Spice" - Looking back on the stars who have turned out for Make a Dream's annual dinner (this year with Sir Alan Sugar)
• A look at the local schools
• "Reconnect at Rosh Hashanah"- R' Pink looks at the importance of prayer at during the New Year
• "Visions of Peace"- Looking at co-operation between Israelis and Palestinians

... and more. Many in LS17 will have received it through the post but it is also available at various pickup points in the area (I picked mine up downstairs in the community centre.)

Introduction

Hi

I have just taken up a post with the Leeds Jewish Represntative Council variously described as "community administrator", "community development worker" or "community communications and liaisons officer". The name is not important but what I am here to do is. I am part of LJRC's 'strategic plan' to help make Leeds a more vibrant, stronger and cohesive community (The plan can be found here: http://www.ljrc.org/Final-Report.pdf). Part of my job is to find effective ways to communicate with Leeds Jewry and one way I thought of was to start up a blog. However, the details can wait but just by way of introduction....

My name is Neil Clarke. I originally come from Reading (the sillicon valley of England, apparently) which has a small but very welcoming Jewish community. The Jewish education I received there was very valuable and you learn in a community like that, that every individual counts. On finishing school I came to the University of Leeds to study a BSc in Psychology-Philosophy. I then did a further two years study in philosophy at masters level. That means I've spent five years in Leeds and I have decided to stay!

The student community is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately due to distance, there is a disconnect between the community as a whole and the students. Luckily because of certain connections up here from my Reading days, because I often stayed during holidays and because I don't mind walking long distances on Shabbat, I have got to know the community. Now I'm living in North Leeds and hope to give something back to the community (and get more out of it). I will hopefully be able to provide a service for all segments of the community regardless of background, interests or affiliation.

Leeds is a good place to be. It is a 'modern' city but (more importantly for me) it is also on the edge of the Dales and Moors. Here, we are perfectly situated to enjoy the best of both worlds. Jewishly, there are shuls, shops, community centre, mikvah etc etc. Nothing infuriates me more than when I hear people 'do down' the Leeds Jewish community (that is, from people that are part of it). People seem to forget that Leeds is the third biggest Jewish community in UK (compared to where I come from it is positively massive!) Whilst there is a lot of work to do, that depends on the will of the people living here. Man-power wise and financially, Leeds has great potential, and I'm hoping this will show.