Children’s
Service Lunch by Yaffa Moorvitch
A great event took place at Singers Hill this past
Shabbat, 6th of January organized by Rabbi and Rebbitzen
Jacobs when more than 20 families came together
for a great meal. There were Devar Torahs, games,
speeches and lots of laughs from all who participated.
After much success with their monthly children’s
service they organized for the first time a lunch
for all the participating parents and children.
As an outsider, to see such a heimish event where
everyone was happy and satisfied, I nearly forgot
that I was in Birmingham as opposed to being in
Los Angeles. It started with Rabbi Jacobs welcoming
everyone and introducing the event. Next there was
a whole lot of great food that came out. Anna Georgevic
bravely started off the afternoon with some lessons
from the Parsha. Then we heard a great and moving
speech by Simon Harris, including a few jokes that
brought great laughs.
Then Rebbitzen Jacobs split the room in two with
the Parents vs. The Children in a Torah Quiz, with
Rabbi Tann as quiz master and judge. I think The
Children won, however it seemed the Parents were
cheating from the kids just to stay in the Game…
Next, Josh Moorvitch, brother of Rebbitzen Jacobs,
gave a small devar torah with a story.
The event was a great success and showed how much
the community cares and wants to participate in
programmes like these. It is important that events
like this continue to take place and a big Yasher
Koach to all the hard work and hours Rabbi and
Rebbitzen Jacobs pour into this community to make
these events happen.
Challah Baking Afternoon by Josh Moorvtich
Challah Baking in Birmingham at Singers Hill
on a Sunday afternoon. - who would have even thought
of such an event??? Rebbitzen Jacobs led an arts
and crafts afternoon with making Challah and besamim
holders (spice boxes for Havdallah) for all the
kids in the community. Many mothers and their children
showed up to make Challah and spice boxes together.
After the Challah was made, the kids played musical
chairs and other fun games. Great to see the Jewish
community in Singers Hill is very alive and strong.
And it is wonderful to welcome all these families
back tot the shul to participate. Hats off again
to Rebbitzen Jacobs, where does she get all this
energy from….
Teen Scene by Rabbi Shmuly Pink
Leicester
For the last few months, on a Sunday evening, the
Singers Hill Shul Hall has been heaving at the seams
with some 50+ Jewish teenagers from Birmingham,
Solihull, Leicester and Cardiff joining together
for the Teen Scene, an evening of fun, food, socialising
and just getting together with other Jewish teenagers.
Teen Scene is the brainchild of Rabbi & Rebbetzen
Jacobs of Singers Hill. It is their youth and vigour
which has been the driving force behind this long-overdue
project. The Teen Scene has managed to achieve that
rare goal – that the teenagers actually enjoy
coming for the evening rather than feeling that
we ‘have to do it to support the community’.
Last month there was a hands-on krav maga self-defence
demonstration, games, arts and crafts and more.
Next month in Leicester will see even more ambitious
activities.
The beauty of this programme, apart from providing
an activity for the Birmingham teens, is that it
is attracting teenagers from all around. This will
hopefully provide an opportunity to meet new people
who they have not grown up with, and develop long
lasting friendships.
In the words of one participant “When I first
heard it was in a Shul hall I said uh-oh - but it
was a lot better than I thought it would be, I had
a really good time and hope to come again next month.”
This project has also highlighted the great benefit
of regional co-operation. In the words of Rabbi
Mordechai Wollenberg, a Birmingham University alumnus,
who brought a group from Cardiff: “I take
my hat off to Rabbi Jacobs & Rochel for spearheading
this project and for inviting us to join in. This
shows what can be achieved when different communities
work together towards a common goal. We look forward
to similar endeavours in the future.”
Other events are in the pipeline including events
in different cities and a regional Shabbaton
Chanukah Lunch by Raena Green
On Shabbat December 16th an extremely successful
and well attended lunch was held in the Joseph Cohen
after the service at Singer's Hill Synagogue.
The service was longer than usual it being both
Chanucah and Shabbat Mevorichim. And was enhanced
by having Chazan Noiman being with us who sang so
beautifully.
The service over, we all went into the Joseph Cohen
hall where a most appetising aroma was coming from
the kitchen. As by this time it was 1.30pm we were
all certainly ready for the delicious lunch prepared
by Adele Aremband with her husband Trevor and her
very willing band of helpers. Adele had worked under
quite great difficulties, having expected to cater
for approx 60 people it rose to 90. In the event
106 sat down, and there was food aplenty for all
which we greatly enjoyed. After lunch we were given
a very interesting informative and thought-provoking
talk by Professor Martin Goodman who spoke about
the Maccabi after Chanuch, keeping us quiet and
all absorbed. Professor Tony Travis gave an eloquent
vote of thanks to conclude the proceedings. It was
wonderful to see such a large attendance, with a
relaxed and happy atmosphere. Hopefully it won’t
be too long before we have another such gathering.
A special thanks to Rabbi Tann for organizing this
event.
Chanukah Party Held on 19th Dec. at Rabbi &
Rebbetzen Jacobs Home by Keith and Wendy Marks
How can one possibly lift the feeling of gloom brought
on by the “Bleak Midwinter.”? The answer
is only by a visit to the home of Rabbi & Rebbetzen
Jacobs.
Twenty Five ladies & gentlemen were invited
on such an evening to celebrate the lighting of
the 4th candle. Rabbi Jacobs and Rachel, as they
have come to be very affectionately known, each
exude such great warmth & enthusiasm that, as
we entered their home, the wonderful reception we
received, immediately dispelled the gloom of the
misty & cold afternoon.
All of us admired the beautiful & unusual Chanukia,
which was made for holding oil, not candles, whilst
the “Shammus” used, was prepared from
beeswax, specially imported from Israel. After the
ceremony, we thought that we would have Latkes &
Donuts, but we were so surprised to be served a
fantastic three-course meal. All of us enjoyed singing
the Chanukah songs & after Benshing, we played
the Dreidel Game The evening was really so warm
& enjoyable everyone present had that special
feeling only evident on rare occasions. This young
Rabbi & Rebbetzen have added so much to Birmingham
not only spiritually; but by their warmth, vitality,
and acts of kindness. They have really succeeded
in uniting & bringing some light to the whole
community.
Chanukah at Andrew Cohen and Joy
Silverstone
Following on from last year, residents of Andrew
Cohen House and Joy Silverstone enjoyed visits on
each night of Chanukah from different Rabbis who
lit the Chanukah Candles and handed out chocolate
to everyone. The picture speaks for itself!
Biggest ever Chanukah
party in the Midlands!
it was a first for everyone who walked
in, to hear Chanukah music playing, Chanukah videos
and a large array of Chanukah decorations as Solihull
and Singers Hill joined forces, for what is believed
to be the biggest ever Chanukah party in the Midlands.
Over two hundred people poured into the Stirchley
bowling alley to enjoy the Chanukah Bowl. The
event jointly organised by Rabbi Jacobs and Rabbi
Pink together with their Rebbetsens was beyond
highest expectations. The day started at 2:30
with bowling and alternative games for those who
were not bowling led by Rabbi and Rebbitzen Tann.
£130 was raised for the soup kitchen in
Israel and together with other donations a total
of £200 was sent by Rabbi Tann to Israel
which will provide 250 meals. At 4:00pm the bowling
came to an end as Rabbi Jacobs Introduced Rabbi
Pink and spoke about the idea of spreading the
light. He said that when a person lights one candle
with another, one is able to spread the light
without diminishing from their own candle. The
same too can be said about spreading the light
and joy of Judaism. He went on to explain that
when two Shuls which are both vibrant in their
own right, come together for an event like this,
then they come to form an even stronger entity
without losing their own essence. Rabbi Pink then
spoke about the message that the candles tell
us and how the Chanukah candles are different
from the Havdalah candle. The Havdalah candle
is two candles merged into one while the Chanukah
candles all remain individual. Rabbi Pink continued
the theme and said how this is the same with the
community. We have come today as two strong communities
but yet have both kept our respective identity.
After this speech Rabbi Tann proceeded with the
lighting of the Menorah and singing of Haneiros
Halolu and Moaz Tzur. The children were also given
the opportunity to light their own Menorah. A
special mazeltov was given to both Rabbi and Rebitzen
Tann who were celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary
and Rebitzen Rachel Jacobs had just celebrated
her birthday. The party was by no means over,
in fact for some it had only just begun, when
everyone made their way over to the food table
which had been set up so well by our Rebitzens
and volunteers and enjoyed the freshly cooked
doughnuts and latkes cooked by Rebitzen Dinnie
Pink. The over 50 children who attended all received
Take home chanukha goody bags with all kinds of
Chanukah toys and games which had been brought
in from the States. Solihull vice Chairman Martyn
Ellis announced the Adult winner Adrian Harris
and the Child winner Elly Rowlinson who both received
a trophy for their efforts. He also gave a special
thank you to both Rabbis and Rebitzens for their
very hard work and harmonious cooperation. Well
done to Rebitzen Rachel for thinking up the idea
and to all involved who made this event such a
huge success.
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