Birthday Kiddush and Honours

The first of the birthday Kiddushim took place on Shabbos 28th April. All our members celebrating their birthday in the month of May were notified in advance and a beautiful card was sent to them notifying them of their Hebrew birthday. This month Dr Anthony Joseph celebrated his 70th birthday and together with Mr Elliman, he cut the cake whilst everyone sang Happy Birthday. The next birthday kiddush will take place on the 26th of May to celebrate those members whose birthdays are in June PG.

The second of the honouring ceremonies took place on Shabbos the 5th May. Tony and Heather Hockley and their family were honoured for all the work that they have done for the community and the Shul. Tony read the Haphtorah and many friends and family came to hear him. Rabbi Tann spoke of the service and dedication that both Tony and Heather have given to this community. Tony responded by thanking Singers Hill for what it had given to their family and said that when he was a student here over 30 years ago, he had never imagined that he would have been living here and been a part of this community. Tony’s first connection with Singes Hill was as a student and needed a minyan after the passing of his mother. When he returned to Birmingham they joined the Shul and have been active members ever since.

“Monty Marks is a very much loved and respected member of Singers Hill” said Rabbi Tann in his sermon. Therefore it came as no surprise that he chose to spend his special day celebrating his 80th birthday in Singers Hill on Shabbos 14th of April. Monty leined the whole Sedra and read the Haphtorah. Many friends and family came to join him and a special cake and presentations were given to him and a special gift was presented him for his longstanding service to the choir . The Kiddush was great and a special Shikoach to Monty.

Lunch and Learn
By David Bloom

Rabbi Jacob’s Thursday lunch and learn becomes breakfast and learn. A BHC special, open to the whole community.



Alternate Thursdays, in Singers Hill shul library, finds 7 gentlemen sitting around a table, with Rabbi Jacobs at the head. This one-hour session, starts at 12-30 so that we can assure the Mincha minyan on Thursdays of a good attendance. However now that mincha has moved it will now take place at 11:00am and be a breakfast and learn. The shiur (class) which started in September came about from members asking for an in-depth enlightment on our daily prayers. We are able, and most comfortable, to be able to throw even the most elementary and simplistic questions to Rabbi Jacobs. In five or six sessions we have been discussing the Shacharit service, and are now turning the leaf of the siddur to the Shema. The answers to our questions are meaningful and usually anecdotal. This very special event, would be considerably enhanced by one or two more gentlemen joining us, and I cannot emphasise how welcome some new faces would be at the Library. I think everyone who attends, finds these shiurim an enriching and very special experience. Next shiur Thursday 17th May, and I forgot to mention the lovely lunch or now breakfast, which is always served.

A very warm welcome was again extended to the 20 students who came to Singers Hill for what is the first of the Student lunches. After the great Shabbaton which took place in November, Singers Hills executive have extended an invitation to Rabbi Fishel Cohen and the Jsco to hold one Shabbos lunch each term. Student Michael Raisboury led the services while other students got aliyohs and other Mitzvot. After the Kiddush a lunch was put on by Adele Aremband. Rabbi Cohen gave the dvar Torah while Jsco Chaiman Penina thanked Singers Hill for hosting the students. With this now being the exam season we all wish the students good luck.

TeenScene enjoys bowling by Rabbi Pink

Teenagers joined together on Sunday the 13th of May for a couple of games of bowling at Strichley Superbowl. Stirchley was the scene of the highly successful Joint Chanukah Party and the staff were delighted to welcome us back.

Teenscene which was started in September by Rabbi Jacobs and Rabbi Pink as a joint teenage programme with the motto “Teen Scene always exciting, always relaxed, and always some good Jewish Fun”, aims to bring together teenagers from Birmingham, Cardiff, Leicester and Solihull.

Reflecting on the activities of the past year Rabbi Pink feels that there is more happening for teenagers today than there has been for many years. The buzz generated by teenagers from so many different areas getting together for an evening of fun in a Jewish atmosphere is tremendous.

Looking forward to next year, Rebbetzin Rachel Jacobs says, “It has been a great project and we are eagerly awaiting the year ahead. We have some brand new ideas lined up, and have gotten great feedback from the teens, and will take their ideas on board. It’s been fun seeing the teens interact together, and I have enjoyed getting to know them personally as well.

One of the downsides of living in a small community is the limited number of Jewish friends that one can socialise with. By bringing together youth from a number of communities, Teenscene aims to alleviate this problem and help combat assimilation.

The last event of the year will be a BBQ at the Solihull Jewish Community Centre where we will be saying farewell to those members of Teenscene graduating this year and moving on to ‘the real world’.

When asked to sum up the last year we received the following comments.
Sam Gee – “Teenscene rocks”
Rachel Fellman, We have enjoyed a lot of great activities this year.”
Zak Shutkever, “It was great to meet teenagers from all over the country.”
D J de Jonge “It was an electrifying experience.”