Singer’s Hill Shabbat
With 150 years to celebrate,
this year, Singer’s Hill Synagogue’s
birthday cake will light up Birmingham. As part
of the celebrations, all the Jewish students,
as well as members of the Guild Council, were
invited for a Shabbat to remember. The hour- long
walk was quickly forgotten, as following traditional
Friday night prayers, we were greeted by a Champagne
dinner. With hot soup, chicken, and salads, the
meal was very different to most of our student
“ready-in-five-minute” meals.
The evening continued with speeches from Elkan
Levy, Gary Hughs, head of the guild council, and
Lydia Corin, head of JSoc, and was finished off
beautifully with chocolate cake and ice cream.
However, the weekend was not over, as the shul
extended their hospitality by inviting us for
lunch as well (brave!).
So, early (and late) Shabbat morning the shul
filled up again with students. Elliot Caplan,
JSoc Sportsman, relived his Bar Mitzvah seven
years later, as he sang Haftorah. It really was
a family affair as Elkan Levy, Elliot’s
cousin (and guest speaker), spoke on the weekly
Sedra Lech Lecha.
After shul, a tea and coffee kiddish and then
lunch were provided. There was good food, good
drink and good (well from most of us) singing.
It was also an opportunity to get to know Rabbi
and Rebbitzen Jacobs, who took time and effort
to get to know us all and make us feel welcome.
This was followed by a round of Articulate, which
became quite heated, but luckily was interrupted
by Mincha, Seudah and then Havdallah.
Overall, the Shabbat was a huge success and it
was an honour to pray in such a beautiful shul
with such a warm community. It is true that the
way to a Jewish student’s heart is good
food (and possibly company too), and with promises
of more Shabbats like these, it will be hard to
keep us away. So, happy birthday Singer’s
Hill Synagogue love from all the students. xxxxxxxxx
Teen Scene
Teenagers from all over Birmingham gathered
together in the Joseph Cohen hall for the first
session of Teen scene. The new exciting program
for teenagers which now takes place once a month
has got off to a fantastic start. Teenagers
could not believe it when they walked in and
saw not one game table, but five!! The choice
was there between table tennis, snooker, pool,
air hockey, and foos ball. The new giant trampoline
and 10 in one game table have arrived in time
for the next session. It really was busy as
over 20 teenagers arrived and if the new game
tables and restaurant were not enough then the
fun was definitely had when the three martial
arts and self defense instructors arrived. All
present took part in self defense training and
practiced the fun exercises under the direction
of Eugene. Rachel Jacobs coordinator says “she
feels it’s very important for youngsters
to know how to defend themselves and this program
allows them to do that in a fun way with Jewish
peers.” The evening also had a Jewish
side to it when everyone made their own Havdallah
candles. “Rabbi Jacobs emphasizes the
importance of having a Jewish side to the evening
to – a way for the teenagers to learn
in a relaxed and chilled atmosphere. The good
news is that the next session of Teen Scene
which is taking place on the 10th of December
will be the first national evening. Teenagers
from Cardiff, Leicester and Nottingham are all
geared up to come and no doubt it will be a
fantastic evening. If you didn’t manage
to come to our first one please do come along
for the second and try it for yourself.
»
View our Teen Scene photo album
Lunch and learn
After many requests Rabbi Jacobs has now started
a new men’s shiur. The Shiur (class) which
takes place every other week has got off to
a great start. It takes place at 12:30pm in
Singer Hill’s library and lasts for just
under an hour so that those attending are able
to go to Mincha. Lunch in the form of sandwiches
gives the physical sustenance, whilst Rabbi
Jacob’s thought provoking lectures on
the back ground and meanings of the prayers
provides the spiritual nosh. The first lecture
went through the history of the prayers going
back as far back as Ezra the scribe and now
we are going through the actual prayers themselves.
All men are welcome and no prior knowledge is
needed. So if you feel that you are going to
Shul and not understanding a word of what’s
going on, or are just interested in enlightening
discussion about Judaism, why not come and join
us. (Please check the »
diary
for next Shiur and for more details call the
Shul office)
Friday night dinner
It was raining on and off all day Friday
the 6th of October and Rabbi Jacobs was praying
for the rain to stop. Not only because it was
the first night of Succot but also because he
and Rebitzen Rachel had arranged a Friday night
dinner for our young professionals. Part of
an ongoing project for young people which the
Rabbi and Rebitzen organize through out the
year. “we have been working with the young
professionals since we have arrived and we have
built up a database of names and addresses of
young professionals living in Birmingham”says
Rabbi Jacobs. People say its all gloom and doom
but yet every time we come to one of theses
events we meet new people whom we didn’t
know lived in Birmingham is what could be heard.
Guest speaker was Rabbi Arkush who gave an inspiring
talk on the deeper meaning of Succot and how
it pertains to our daily lives. After some songs,
Lichaim and dancing on the chairs participants
went indoors where a discussion was held on
the Jewish view of Ghosts and spirits. The four
course meal was deliciously cooked by Adele
Aremband and thankfully the rained stayed off.
Let’s hope the rest of Succot stays the
same.
Succah Decorating
In this world nothing lasts for
ever. So to with the Succah in Singer Hill. Unfortunately,
after many years of wear and tear the Succah donated
by Mrs Yvone Kahtan and her family in memory of
her late husband was in need of replacement. Kindly,
Yvone offered to sponsor the new and modern Succah
which has been dedicated again in memory of her
late husband and in honor of her brothers 80th
birthday. The new Succah has been beautifully
decorated with heaps of real fruits, vegetables,
and decorations. The decorating team led by Mrs.
Shirley Bindman always work so hard to ensure
that our Succah looks just right. After the success
of the children’s decorating party led by
Rebbitsen Rachel last year, Singers Hill hosted
yet another grand party this year. Attended by
30 children and some of their parents they had
a non stop evening with boisterous games, coloring
pictures, and making Simchat Torah flags. The
children helped to put up the fruit and their
pictures in the Succah. Let us not forget the
Pizza and ice cream to eat, and as always in Singers
Hill the cool, exciting prizes. The prizes were
presented by Rabbi Yossi’s brother Sholom
who came to visit.
»
View our Succah
Decorating
photo album
Have you seen the light?
By Mr. A. Wilks
Sixteen of us were invited to the home of Rabbi
and Rebbitzen Yossi Jacobs to partake in the lighting
of the first Chanukah light. The candle was lit
in a most beautiful silver Menorah and traditional
songs were sung.
We then sat ourselves down and we all partook
of a very tasty supper, after which we sung a
couple of lively songs followed by the traditional
Chanukah game with a Dreidel and jelly beans.
We all had a lively happy time, which one cannot
help but have when in the company of such nice,
happy, and hospitable people as Rabbi Yossi and
Rachel Jacobs. If you have not yet “seen
the light” seek them out. You will not be
lectured to but just a friendly chat and some
real friends.
» View our Chanukah 2005 Photo Album
Teen Scene
After many months of planning, Singers
Hill is now launching their new program for teenagers.
Teen Scene – the new teenage club which
will take place once a month will be a hang out
for our youngsters. This new initiative has been
driven by Rabbi and Rebbetzen Jacobs who will
be the ones running it. As well as the Snooker
tables, Table tennis tables and air hockey, there
will be also be a restaurant for the teenagers
to order from. The restaurant will be run by Adele
and Trevor Aremband and will give the teenagers
a menu of affordable items which they can choose.
Rebbetzen Rachel says that “we will also
be having professionals come in and teach Karate,
pottery and other hobbies and it promises to be
exciting and fun”. Rabbi Yossi points out
that he has seen the need for teenagers to have
a place which is well organized, fun and Jewish,
that their parents can feel confident knowing
that their children are socializing with Jews
whilst under adult supervision. This program is
set to start after Yomtov and will be open to
the whole community.
Singers Hill Outing to Southport
Flower Show
By Caroline Brown
Southport Flower Show was the glorious
destination for the party of 15 friends who set
out on 17th August for the trip arranged by Rebbetzen
Rochel Jacobs.
We took a 17 seater mini-coach from Singers Hill,
which turned out to have only 13 seats installed,
soon rectified by a detour to have more seats
installed. Once on the road, we were fortified
by “snack packs” thoughtfully provided
by Rochel.
A surprisingly swift journey north, until traffic
around Ormskirk reminded us of the perils of modern
day traffic. However such delays were soon forgotten
as we reached our destination, arriving via the
spectacular floral avenue of Rotten Row to Victoria
Park itself.
A delicious sandwich lunch was enjoyed prior to
entering the Flower Show, and after a group photo
we dispersed to enjoy our particular interests
at our own pace.
There were four large marquees full to the brim
with the most amazing displays of flowers, shrubs,
produce, and crafts. Elsewhere there were more
tents and stands displaying and selling everything
related to English gardens. All the blooms were
at the height of perfection, it being the first
day of the show, and it was exciting to see which
exhibits had been awarded the coveted Gold Medals.
We never tired of exploring the various marquees,
each few steps revealing yet more treasures. The
range of colours and textures was truly breathtaking;
in particular the displays of orchids, roses,
dahlias, begonias, and chrysanthemums were outstanding.
There were competitions for prize vegetables and
fruit. We were amazed to see leeks that were three
feet long, enormous beans, onions that were individually
large enough to feed a family. Whether size equates
to taste we shall never know. We were sorely tempted
to sample the impressive fruit and berries, lovingly
displayed, but managed to resist.
It was a truly Northern Show, maybe less sophisticated
than Chelsea, but more relevant to our own gardens.
There were plenty of opportunities to purchase
prize specimens that had caught one’s eye
en route, and inevitably we did succumb to that
particular temptation, as a memory of our trip.
There was so much to see and do that we failed
to see the formal show gardens, but we understand
that they were well worth a visit, and full of
ideas.
We were very lucky with the weather, as rain was
forecast, but in the event only met rain on the
journey home. Sadly the M6 lived up to its reputation
and we arrived back somewhat later than anticipated
but with memories of a wonderful day out.
It was lovely that your sister, Shaina, who is
over here for a short period, was able to accompany
us on our trip. We hope she was suitably impressed
with our quaint ways.
Many thanks, Rachel, for all your hard work in
arranging this trip, and for making it so easy
for us to enjoy this particularly English tradition.
Singers Hill Sight Seers
Singers Hill will be introducing a great new
program under the leadership and direction of
Rebbitzin Rachel Jacobs. The program will be geared
for retired pensioners who would love to enjoy
a day out with their friends and some exciting
activities. There will be organized trip once
a month around different cities in Birmingham.
There will be a comfortable coach waiting at the
Shul which will then travel to different places
each month. They will then enjoy tours of different
Shuls as well as some nice attractions in the
areas. (Indoor trips planned as well due to the
unpredictable BRITHISH WEATHER). And don’t
worry about what you will pack for lunch, because
the Rebbitzin will be packing you a delicious
home made lunch as well as some tasty snacks.
Some scheduled ideas, include: Liverpool Princess
Road, as well the Southport Flower Show. If you
are interested in being one of the Singers Hill
Sightseers sign up soon as there will be limited
space on the coach. Details of Trips and prices
to follow very soon. However save the date: First
trip Wednesday, June 21, 2005. (To book please
call Singers Hill Office 0121-643-0884)
The Choir
In life they say you shouldn’t take
anyone or anything for granted. However sometimes
we can’t help ourselves. Every year in Singers
Hill especially over the Yomim Naroim and during
the rest of the year too. Congregants enjoy the
added touch that the choir gives to the service.
They work hard to uplift the service and add to
the beauty of the Chazzan. For this reason on
behalf of the executive and council a gift of
a bottle of whiskey was presented to each of the
choristers as a small token of appreciation of
the entire congregation.
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