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 for 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 and see if anything takes your fancy; bookmark www.mns.org.uk and make sure to visit again.
The Chasida Bird
Tikkun Olam is Judaism envisioning an ideal world. Often translated to mean ‘repair of the world’, and even as social justice, tikkun olam underpins our religious way of life and perspective that works towards a time of peace – not just ending war, but a time of prosperity, health and justice for all. For Reform Jews the importance of working individually and collectively towards a better and redeemed world is vital to our understanding of what being active Jews means.
Harrow Foodbank
The Harrow Foodbank, which opens in June 2013, has been chosen as a social action project by our four partner synagogues: Harrow & Wembley Progressive, Hatch End Masorti, Kol Chai and Middlesex New. Two collection points are being established and, using the shopping list of suggested items, it is hoped to contribute to the warehouse of tins and packets being stored for the food bank. Volunteers from the four communities are signing up to work at the food bank, to help at the warehouse, deliver donated goods and in many other ways. The organisers are also asking for help with printing, storage racks, strong bags and many other items. Read more…
Karen Morris Memorial Trust
MNS Council has discussed at length, and agreed, that we should direct our ad-hoc fundraising efforts in supporting one nominated charity, and that charity should be the Karen Morris Memorial Trust. The trust is a charity set up to continue the fundraising initiative of a 23 year old student who passed away in 1998, just one year after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Read more…
The Day Shabbat Shira Came To Kol Chai.
David Pollak wrires: This was a genuine joint venture when our two reform communities shared an uplifting shabbat morning service on 18th May, and a healthy congregation of about 70 people of young, very young and not so young, was made up equally from members of our two congregations.
Led by Rabbis Kathleen and Michael, the service was a blend of the traditional and Shabbat Shira, MNS style, and was led in part by pre and post bnei mitzvah pupils of our joint religion school, Hamakom. The resident band from MNS, made up of yours truly and Steve Noble, was enhanced by our latest and most welcome addition, Benje Noble-Bougay on bongos and a guest appearance by John Ashmele on washboard. While some of the melodies were known only to the families from MNS, those recognised by all were sung with gusto and genuine enthusiasm. There was a real sense of unity between the two congregations as we sung and prayed as Rabbi Kathleen guided the congregation through our service booklet which easily complemented the traditional siddur also used during the service.
It was heartening to see the level of support given to an “away service” by the members of MNS and we can only hope that this first joint Shabbat Shira at Kol Chai will be as well supported by members of Kol Chai when we come home to MNS again in June and for the future. Read more…
WJR Big Bagel Day at HaMakom
Children at HaMakom, the Religion School of our four partner communities, enjoyed a Big Bagel lunch on Sunday 19th May and raised £200 for World Jewish Relief. Volunteers prepared filled bagels, drinks and crisps ready for the end of the morning session and were mobbed by hungry children, teachers, assistants and parents. The money raised goes to support WJR’s Founding Futures programme working among Jews struggling to survive across the Former Soviet Union, helping them to find work, earn a living wage and provide independently for their families without relying on hand-outs or welfare programmes.
Scroll down the page to see details of forthcoming events.
22 May – Photo 39
Members of Photo 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.
The next workshop is on Wednesday 22 May: Photography and social conditions in South Africa, led by Gabby Kessler. Read more…
28 May – Film 39
FILM 39
Proudly presents
For one night only
At 8:00pm on Tuesday 28 May
SARAH’S KEY
One of the darkest moments in French history occurred in 1942 Paris when French officials rounded up over 10,000 Jews and placed them in local camps. Eventually over 8,000 were sent off to German concentration camps. As 10-year old Sarah and her family are being arrested, she hides her younger brother in a closet. After realizing she will not be allowed to go home, Sarah does whatever she can to get back to her brother. In 2009, a journalist named Julia is on assignment to write a story on the deported Jews in 1942. When she moves into her father-in-law’s childhood apartment, she realizes it once belonged to the Strazynski family, and their daughter Sarah. Starring Kristin Scott Thomas and released in 2010, this is an intelligent and very moving film, definitely worth seeing. Read more…
2 June – Closer To Israel
The UK Jewish and pro-Israel community will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel with a major outdoor community event, entitled “Closer to Israel”. Closer to Israel will comprise a vibrant street parade on Sunday 2nd June in Central London, representing the diversity and spirit that makes our community, followed by the coming together of parade participants, spectators and supporters, for a celebratory finale.
Closer to Israel will be a fantastic opportunity to show the extent to which Israel remains a central part of our collective communal identity. Visit www.closertoisrael.org.uk for further information.