Shalom and welcome to theMNSwebsite, the on-line home of Middlesex New Synagogue.
Middlesex New Synagogue, a constituent of the Movement for Reform Judaism, has served Harrow, Kenton, Wembley, Pinner, Hatch End, Stanmore, Northwood and Watford with a wide range of religious, educational and communal facilities for over 50 years.
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.
Or Chadash 4Way Accord Report
Over the past few months, General Meetings at Middlesex New Synagogue, Kol Chai Jewish Community, Harrow & Wembley Progressive Synagogue and Hatch End Masorti Synagogue each overwhelmingly endorsed the 4Way Accord that documents the key principles and framework for our new community, which the Synagogue Chairmen formally signed on Monday 23rd April.
This is a significant moment for each community and we would like to thank everyone who helped make it possible: the volunteers who have worked behind the scenes for many years, members of our management teams, our Rabbis and staff, and all those members who have contributed to discussions and agreed to take this journey together. Read more…
Al Jazeera (English)
Jane Harrison writes: Al Jazeera’s mission is to give the vulnerable and powerless a voice and is not a puppet of its funders Qatar.
Those were the key statements Diarmuid Jeffreys, Al Jazeera’s editor, strived to get across during his discussion with journalist, broadcaster and MNS member Steve Levinson who he previously worked with on the BBC. Read more…
Shabbat Shira
As we hope you were aware, following plenty of publicity for the event, we held our first Shabbat Shira on Saturday 21st April. We were hoping to attract at least 15 to 20 people and with any luck, those few would spread the word to others and we would build up the congregation from there.
The attendance exceeded our best expectations and almost 50 children, young adults, parents, grandparents and members of the community with no attachments to any of the children, crowded into the youth lounge and participated in a truly uplifting 60 minutes of song, prayer, and meditation. The atmosphere was fantastic with bongos, tambourines, maracas, shakers and all sorts of percussion instrument accompanying two guitars and plenty of singers. The children, and the adults, all loved it.
Everyone left with a smile on their face. Everyone wanted to know when the next Shabbat Shira would be held. They were told: 16th June and 21st July starting at 10:45am.
Scroll down the page to see details of forthcoming events.
22 May – Film 39
Proudly presents
For one night only
At 8:00pm on Tuesday 22nd May
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
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. Read more…
26 May – Erev Shavuot Service
..at Kol Chai, 434 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, followed by a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot – an evening of traditional Shavuot study with the Rabbis of MNS, HWPS, Kol Chai & Hatch End Masorti on the subject of “Women & Torah”. Refreshments will be available from 7.30 pm.
Donations of cheesecake are very welcome, and should be brought to Bessborough Road and placed in the freezer labelled Shavuout.
27 May – Kol Chai Music Group
No prior knowledge of music is required to enjoy an evening at the Music Group. The programmes are varied, and include classical, jazz, opera and much in-between. The last get-together featured music from the Baroque era and the next ‘gig’ on Sunday 27th May features Bebop.
The Kol Chai Music Group meets in Pinner, usually on Sunday evenings. E-mail pinner.1@btinternet.com for further information and details of the venue.
29 May – Caring For Your Older Relatives
Two information and discussion evenings for members of the four Harrow and Hatch End Jewish communities.
The first will be held at 8:00pm on Tuesday 29th May at Kol Chai, 434 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End; the second will be held at 8:00pm on Tuesday 26th June at MNS/HWPS, 39 Bessborough Road, Harrow.
Each evening will be self contained with different speakers. Everyone is welcome to either or both evenings. Topics covered will include physical and mental health, financial planning, welfare advice, being a carer and residential and nursing care. You are welcome to submit questions in advance to RabbiM@kolchai.org.
Please e-mail admin@mns.org.uk for further information.
10 June – A Walk in the Woods for WJR
Bring the whole family and join Kol Chai at Ruislip Woods and Lido for a walk in the woods followed by bagels on the beach in aid of World Jewish Relief at 11:00am on Sunday 10th June.
Download the flyer for further information, and book your place with Kol Chai right now.
22/24 June – 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 at the Staverton Park Hotel in the Northamptonshire countryside.
As well as wonderful, music-filled services, we 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.
The weekend will run from 4pm on Friday 22 June until 2pm on Sunday 24 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 us for the day on Saturday 23 June.
Visit http://news.reformjudaism.org.uk/chagigah-2012/ for further information.
1 July – Limmud
The South London One Day Limmud will take place on Sunday 1st July. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a full day of Jewish fun and stimulation in the centre of London. Every Limmud enables participants of all ages and from all walks of life to connect with all things broadly Jewish.
This particular day will feature over 70 presenters, a full day of presentations and workshops, kosher lunch with vegetarian option, a crèche for babies and toddlers, all-day refreshments and a Judaica market place, all within the stunning modern facilities of Pimlico Academy, close to Victoria Station.
Times, prices, a list of presenters, booking information and directions are to be found at www.limmud.org/day/south-london/ or e-mail us at southlondon@limmud.org.