Shalom and welcome to theMNSwebsite, the on-line home of Middlesex New Synagogue.
Middlesex New Synagogue is one of the largest synagogues in the Reform Movement and serves Harrow, Kenton, Wembley, Pinner, Hatch End, Stanmore, Northwood and Watford with a wide range of religious, educational and communal facilities for all ages.
theMNSwebsite has been developed with the aim of providing information not only for and about the MNS community, but also to the wider Jewish and non-Jewish communities. As well as the latest news and dates for your diary, there is information about all aspects of the Synagogue and its activities as well as special articles and features. Please browse through its pages by passing your cursor over the menu bar above or by using the search widget on the right, and see if anything takes your fancy; bookmark www.mns.org.uk and make sure to visit again.
Chagigah 2012
Chagigah is the new name for the Movement for Reform Judaism’s Biennial Conference. It means ‘celebration’ and reflects the spirit of a joyful, fun, uplifting, spiritual, family-friendly gathering which we will be creating during our weekend in Daventry.
As well as wonderful, music-filled services, they will be hosting inspiring speakers and educators, offering learning opportunities for all ages and levels. There will also be plenty of innovative and practical ideas and resources for you to take back to your community. They hope you will be able to them for what promises to be a really special and memorable weekend of celebration.
The weekend will run from 4pm on Friday 22nd June until 2pm on Sunday 24th June, offering a range of services, sessions, entertainment and activities to suit everyone. If you can’t come for the whole weekend, you are welcome to join them for the day on Saturday 23rd June. A more detailed programme will be available soon. Register now as there are early bird savings to be had.
Photography 39
Members of Photography 39 share different aspects of photography, with interests from taking photos, collecting old cameras, learning about well known photographers and their impact on the wider world. We share any recent work we have, from holiday snaps to digital images or darkroom work. We also discuss exhibitions and support each other, and swap hints for improving our photos. The overall atmosphere is one of enthusiasm and mutual support. Read more…
Louis Lewandowski Festival in Berlin
David Martin (MNS Director of Music) writes: As a member of the Zemel Choir I took part in the first Louis Lewandowski Choir Festival in Berlin, on 16th-18th December. You will all know many of Lewandowski’s settings of so many parts of the Shabbat and High Holyday services, from Ma Tovu to Adon Olam. He was a prolific fellow! For those not familiar with him, here is a very brief history… Louis Lewandowski was a German composer of synagogal music and is affectionately dubbed ‘The father of Jewish music.’ He was born in 1821 in Wreschen, Prussia which is now Wrzesnia in Poland. At the age of twelve he went to Berlin to study piano and voice and became solo soprano in the synagogue. Afterwards he attended the school of composition for three years at the Berlin Academy. After graduating with high honours, in 1840 he was appointed choirmaster of the Berlin Synagogue. In 1866 he received the title of Royal Musical Director. Shortly afterward, he was appointed choirmaster in the Neue Synagogue, Berlin for which he composed the entire musical service. He died in Berlin in 1894 and he and his wife Helene are buried in the Weißensee Cemetery. On their gravestone is inscribed: Liebe macht das Lied unsterblich! (Love makes the melody immortal!) Read more…
JJBS to create first Jewish Woodland Burial Site in Europe
The Jewish Joint Burial Society (JJBS), which provides funeral services for 35 Reform, Masorti and Liberal congregations, has bought a new piece of land next to the existing JJBS cemetery in Cheshunt. We will be able to carry out burials of Jews and their non-Jewish partners/dependents in either a woodland area or in a lawn cemetery. Members can now choose to be buried in an ecologically friendly way in a natural environment surrounded by newly planted trees. The burial can include a coffin made from bamboo or cardboard which decomposes naturally and instead of a large headstone there will be a small memorial plaque. Read more…
28 January – Holocaust Memorial Day
Every year on 27th January, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day, which provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future. We share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2012, the Shabbat service on 28th January will include special readings and reflections on genocide in the global community.
1 February – Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 Commemoration
L.B.Harrow is delighted to invite you to attend the Council’s commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 on Wednesday 1st February, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
This year’s commemoration centres on the theme of ‘Speak Up Speak Out’ and the programme includes a special address by Holocaust survivor, Ziggy Shipper who will be visiting Harrow for the first time.
Also contributing to the programme is his Worship the Mayor, Cllr Mrinal Chowdhury, Moriah Jewish Day School, Rabbi Lister of Edgware United Synagogue and Harrow Music Service. A mixture of Kosher refreshments and tea and coffee will be provided.
We would be very grateful if you could show your support by visiting us on this special occasion and also in promoting these events to anyone whom you think would benefit. If you wish to attend this event please do let us know in advance so we can plan for catering.
Telephone 020 8416 8328 or e-mail community.development@harrow.gov.uk by Wednesday 25th January.
20 February – Film 39
FILM 39 Proudly Presents
For one night only
At 8:00pm on Monday 20th February
GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
winner of 3 Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress A reporter (Gregory Peck) pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred. Made in 1947 by Elia Kazan, this was the winner of 3 Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. It was also one of the first films made by any major Hollywood Studio to deal with the subject of covert anti semitism.
The screening will start at 8:00pm, and will be followed by a short discussion. Please note that the English dialogue has sub-titles for the hard of hearing. Light refreshments will be provided; a donation to a synagogue charity will be appreciated.
Contact Tony Fineberg or e-mail admin@mns.org.uk for further information about Film 39 and future presentations.